Defense Contract Management Agency(DCMA)
The DoD component responsible for contract administration services including oversight, quality assurance, payment oversight, and industrial security.
Overview
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is the DoD agency that provides contract administration services for defense and federal contracts. With offices at major contractor facilities and regional locations worldwide, DCMA performs quality assurance, delivery surveillance, payment oversight, property administration, and industrial safety functions on behalf of military services and other contracting agencies.
Why It Matters in GovCon
DCMA is a daily presence at many defense contractor facilities. Their quality assurance representatives (QARs) inspect products, their ACOs manage contract administration, and their auditors coordinate with DCAA on financial matters. Contractors must maintain productive relationships with DCMA personnel and understand their oversight processes to avoid performance issues and ensure timely payments.
Key Details
- Presence: DCMA has approximately 12,000 employees at over 700 locations, including embedded teams at major contractor plants.
- Functions: Covers 17 functional areas including quality assurance, engineering, pricing, delivery, property, safety, and software.
- eTools: Contractors interact with DCMA through eTools for acceptance, receiving reports, and contract administration data.
- CPARS Input: DCMA provides input to Contractor Performance Assessment Reports based on their direct oversight of contractor performance.
- International: DCMA International manages contract administration for foreign military sales (FMS) and NATO contracts.
Related Terms
- Contract Administration Office (CAO)
- Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)
- Quality Assurance Representative (QAR)
- Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
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