What is AQL?
Acceptable Quality Level
The AQL is the maximum amount of defective performance the government will tolerate before a service is considered non-conforming. It is expressed per performance standard — for example, a response within 72 hours on 95% of work orders. Below the AQL, the contractor risks deductions, cure notices, or a poor performance record.
AQLs live in the PWS and its Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). They are measured continuously and reported in status deliverables.
In FORGEFORGE tracks performance against each AQL in real time and projects when a metric is trending toward a breach.
Common questions
Falling below the AQL on a standard typically triggers contractual remedies — performance deductions, a cure or show-cause notice, or a negative CPARS entry — depending on the contract's QASP.