Electronic Engineering Glossary Terms

Contract. A mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them. It includes all types of commitments that obligate the Government to an expenditure of appropriated funds and that, except as otherwise authorized, are in writing. In addition to bilateral instruments, contracts include, but are not limited to, awards and notices of awards; job orders or task letter issued under basic ordering agreements; letter contracts; orders, such as purchase orders, under which the contract becomes effective by written acceptance or performance; and bilateral contract modifications.

Contracting activity. That Government activity having a legal agreement or order with an individual, partnership, company, corporation, association or other entity for the design, development, manufacture, maintenance, modification, or supply of items or services.

Contractor. An individual, partnership, company, corporation, association or other service having a contract with the Government for the design, development, manufacture, maintenance, modification or supply of items under the terms of a contract. A Government activity performing any or all of the above functions is considered to be a contractor for configuration management purposes. (MIL-STD-973)

Copy. Any reproduction or duplication, in any media, of an original.

Critical safety characteristic. Any feature, such as tolerance, finish, material composition, manufacturing, assembly or inspection process or product, which if nonconforming or missing, could cause the failure or malfunction of the critical safety item.

Critical safety item (CSI). A part, assembly, installation or production system with one or more critical characteristics that, if not conforming to the design data or quality requirements would result in an unsafe condition. Unsafe conditions relate to hazard severity categories I and II of MIL-STD-882, and include conditions which could cause loss or serious damage to the end item or major components, loss of control or serious injury to personnel.

Current design activity (CDA). An activity (Government or contractor) currently having responsibility for the design of an item, and the preparation or maintenance of drawings and associated documents. Current design activity could be the original activity or new activity when that responsibility is transferred from another Government or contractor design activity.