scope:

This document applies to the development of Plans for integrating and managing COTS assemblies in electronic equipment and Systems for the commercial, military, and space markets; as well as other ADHP markets that wish to use this document.

For purposes of this document, COTS assemblies are viewed as electronic assemblies such as printed wiring assemblies, relays, disk drives, LCD matrices, VME circuit cards, servers, printers, laptop computers, etc. There are many ways to categorize COTS assemblies¹, including the following spectrum:

• At one end of the spectrum are COTS assemblies whose design, internal parts², materials, configuration control, traceability, reliability, and qualification methods are at least partially controlled, or influenced, by ADHP customers (either individually or collectively). An example at this end of the spectrum is a VME circuit card assembly.

• At the other end of the spectrum are COTS assemblies whose design, internal parts, materials, configuration control, and qualification methods are not controlled, or controllable, in any way by ADHP customers (either individually or collectively). An example is a disk drive targeted for an industry other than ADHP use. It is critical for the Plan owner to (1) review and understand the design, internal parts, materials, configuration control, reliability and qualification methods of all "as-received" COTS assemblies³, and their capabilities with respect to their application in the intended System and environment; (2) identify risks, and where necessary, (3) take additional action to mitigate the risks associated with the performance and reliability of the COTS assembly in the ADHP system.

¹ The distinction between an electronic component and an electronic assembly is not always recognized or agreed upon by the various industries involved; for example, filters, contactors, power supply modules, relays, magnetic assemblies, etc., may be considered as either components or assemblies. In each application, it is a recommended practice for the user of this document to clarify this distinction.

² Requirements for managing the electronic components within electronic assemblies may be found in References 1 through 3, which describe the ADHP Electronic Management Program (ECMP). In some cases, it may be appropriate to view the COTS assembly as a component that can be managed with ECMP processes, using the requirements of References 1 through 3.

³ It is noted that some assemblies are completely within the control of the aerospace customer, but they are not considered COTS, and are not addressed in this document.