"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 small 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@ and qualification methods are at least partially controlled@ or influenced@ by aerospace customers (either individually or collectively). An example at this end of the spectrum is a VME circuit card assembly. While the design@ internal parts@ materials@ configuration control@ and qualification methods are controlled by the assembly suppliers@ the assemblies are targeted for ADHP applications@ and thus the manufacturers expend considerable effort to understand their customers' needs; and they design@ produce@ and qualify their products accordingly. VME assembly suppliers are sensitive to feedback from their customers@ and are willing to make changes in response to that feedback. The response is only general@ however@ and it is not likely that a specific change will be made unless the supplier determines it to be beneficial to the product's market performance. ?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 aerospace. Aerospace customers are not likely to obtain any information beyond the published data sheet; furthermore@ the data sheet@ and other important information@ may be changed without notice. Typically@ it is not possible for aerospace customers to purchase these assemblies to a specific issue of a data sheet. It is critical for the Plan owner to (1) review and understand the design@ internal parts@ materials@ configuration control@ and qualification methods of all ""as-received"" COTS assemblies3@ and their capabilities with respect to their application in the System; (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 1-3@ 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 1-3 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."