Blue Origin Quality Clauses in 2026
Blue Origin maintains a rigorous set of purchase order quality clauses that every supplier must meet when providing parts, materials, or services for rocket and spacecraft manufacturing. These quality clauses define requirements for quality management systems, counterfeit parts prevention, inspection, testing, traceability, and more. If you are a supplier bidding on Blue Origin work—or an engineer or quality professional working in the aerospace supply chain—understanding these requirements is essential.
This guide explains the key quality clauses, how they align with industry standards like AS9100D and AS5553, and what suppliers need to do to comply.
What are quality clauses?
Quality clauses are flowdown requirements that an aerospace company (the buyer) attaches to its purchase orders. When Blue Origin orders a machined component, electronic part, raw material, or subassembly from a supplier, the purchase order references specific quality clauses that the supplier must satisfy. These clauses are legally binding terms that define how work must be performed, documented, and delivered.
Blue Origin publishes its quality clauses in a formal document titled "Blue Origin, LLC Purchase Quality Clauses," currently at Revision H (Rev. H). The clauses are referenced by QC codes (e.g., QC-031, QC-002) on each purchase order. Not every clause applies to every order—only the clauses listed on a specific purchase order are required for that delivery.
Key quality clauses explained
QC-031: Quality Management System
This is the foundational clause. Suppliers must maintain a quality management system (QMS) that conforms to one of the following standards:
- AS9100D: The aerospace quality management standard, based on ISO 9001 with additional aerospace-specific requirements. This is the preferred standard for manufacturing suppliers.
- AS9120: The aerospace distribution QMS standard, for companies that distribute but do not manufacture parts.
- ISO 9001: Acceptable as a minimum for non-critical or commercial-grade items.
Suppliers must hold third-party registration (certification) by an accredited registrar. Self-declaration is not sufficient.
| QMS Standard | Applies To | Key Additions Over ISO 9001 |
|---|---|---|
| AS9100D | Aerospace manufacturing suppliers | Product safety, counterfeit prevention, configuration management, risk management |
| AS9120 | Aerospace distributors | Product traceability, purchase verification, part authentication |
| ISO 9001 | Non-critical / commercial items | Baseline quality management |
QC-002: Counterfeit Parts Prevention
Suppliers must have a comprehensive program to avoid, detect, mitigate, and disposition counterfeit parts. The requirements reference two key standards:
- AS5553: Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Avoidance, Detection, Mitigation, and Disposition. Applies to electronic components.
- AS6174: Counterfeit Materiel; Assuring Acquisition of Authentic and Conforming Materiel. Applies to all other materials (metals, fasteners, seals, etc.).
Key requirements under QC-002:
- Parts must be sourced only from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Original Component Manufacturers (OCMs), or authorized distributors
- Independent distributors and brokers are prohibited unless specifically approved by Blue Origin
- Suppliers must maintain traceability records from manufacturer to delivery
- Incoming inspection must include authentication checks
- Any suspected counterfeit parts must be quarantined and reported to Blue Origin immediately
QC-004: Foreign Object Debris/Damage (FOD) Prevention
Suppliers must implement a FOD prevention program covering all manufacturing, assembly, and packaging areas. This clause is critical for rocket hardware where even a small particle can cause a catastrophic failure.
Requirements include:
- Designated FOD-critical areas with controlled access
- Clean-as-you-go practices during manufacturing and assembly
- Inspection for foreign objects before packaging and shipping
- Documentation of FOD incidents and corrective actions
- Training for all personnel working in FOD-sensitive areas
QC-038: Instrumentation Calibration
All measuring and test equipment used during manufacturing or inspection must be calibrated by:
- The original equipment manufacturer with AS9100 accreditation, or
- A third-party calibration laboratory with ISO 17025 accreditation
Calibration records must be maintained and available for Blue Origin review. Out-of-calibration conditions must be evaluated for impact on previously measured or tested parts.
Additional important clauses
| Clause Code | Subject | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| QC-001 | First Article Inspection (FAI) | FAI per AS9102 required for first production run and after process changes |
| QC-003 | Material Certifications | All materials must ship with original mill certifications traceable to the melt source |
| QC-005 | Source Inspection | Blue Origin reserves the right to inspect at the supplier's facility before shipment |
| QC-006 | Special Process Approval | Processes like welding, heat treatment, and plating must be performed by Nadcap-accredited suppliers |
| QC-010 | Shelf Life Control | Adhesives, sealants, and other perishable materials must be delivered with minimum 75% shelf life remaining |
| QC-015 | Nonconformance Reporting | Any deviations from drawing/spec requirements must be reported to Blue Origin before shipment |
| QC-020 | Configuration Control | No changes to design, process, material, or sub-tier sources without prior Blue Origin approval |
| QC-025 | Record Retention | Quality records must be retained for a minimum of 10 years after final delivery |
AS9100D and the 2026 IA9100 transition
The aerospace quality management standard AS9100 is undergoing a transition to IA9100, expected to be fully adopted in the coming years. The IA9100 revision includes updates to clauses on:
- Human factors and organizational culture
- Digital product definition and model-based enterprise
- Enhanced supply chain risk management
- Updated counterfeit prevention requirements
Blue Origin suppliers should monitor this transition closely. While current purchase orders reference AS9100D, future revisions of Blue Origin's quality clauses are expected to align with IA9100 requirements.
Source inspection and right of access
Blue Origin's quality clauses include strong right-of-access provisions. Key points:
- Blue Origin quality representatives may visit supplier facilities at any reasonable time to inspect work in progress
- Source inspection (QC-005) means a Blue Origin inspector physically witnesses or inspects the product at the supplier's facility before shipment is authorized
- Blue Origin may also extend right of access to NASA, the FAA, or other government agencies if the work supports government programs
- Sub-tier suppliers (your suppliers' suppliers) are subject to the same flowdown requirements, and Blue Origin may audit them directly
Flowdown requirements to sub-tier suppliers
One of the most important aspects of Blue Origin's quality clauses is the flowdown requirement. Suppliers must pass applicable quality requirements down to all sub-tier suppliers who contribute to the product being delivered to Blue Origin.
This means:
- Your sub-tier machining shops must maintain AS9100D certification (or ISO 9001 minimum)
- Special process sub-tiers (heat treatment, plating, NDT) must hold Nadcap accreditation
- Counterfeit parts prevention requirements flow down through the entire supply chain
- Material traceability must be maintained from raw material source through all processing steps to final delivery
How to become a Blue Origin supplier
- Obtain AS9100D certification if you do not already hold it. This is the baseline requirement for most hardware suppliers.
- Register on Blue Origin's supplier portal and complete the required qualification questionnaire.
- Review the current quality clauses document (Rev. H) and ensure your QMS can satisfy all applicable clauses.
- Prepare for a supplier audit. Blue Origin's supply chain quality team may conduct an on-site audit before awarding work.
- Invest in counterfeit prevention. AS5553 and AS6174 compliance is non-negotiable. Establish documented sourcing controls and incoming inspection procedures.
For engineering and quality professional career opportunities at Blue Origin, browse our Blue Origin job listings or explore aerospace quality engineering jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Blue Origin's quality clauses document?
Blue Origin publishes its Purchase Quality Clauses document on its supplier-facing web portal. The current revision is Rev. H, dated January 2021. Suppliers receive the applicable quality clause references on each purchase order.
Does Blue Origin require AS9100D certification?
Yes, for most manufacturing suppliers. AS9100D (or AS9120 for distributors) is the standard requirement under quality clause QC-031. ISO 9001 may be acceptable for non-critical or commercial-grade items, but AS9100D is strongly preferred and often required.
What is the counterfeit parts requirement?
Blue Origin requires suppliers to maintain a counterfeit parts prevention program per AS5553 (electronic parts) and AS6174 (all other materials). Parts must be sourced only from OEMs, OCMs, or authorized distributors. Independent distributors and brokers are prohibited without specific Blue Origin approval.
Does Blue Origin audit its suppliers?
Yes. Blue Origin reserves the right to conduct source inspections and supplier audits at any reasonable time. This includes access to sub-tier supplier facilities. Audit findings may result in corrective action requirements or, in severe cases, removal from the approved supplier list.
How do Blue Origin quality clauses compare to SpaceX or NASA requirements?
Blue Origin's quality clauses are comparable in scope and rigor to those of SpaceX, NASA, and defense primes like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. All major aerospace buyers require AS9100D certification, counterfeit prevention, FOD control, and calibration management. The specific clause numbering and document structure differ, but the underlying requirements are industry-standard.
