In plain English
FAR 52.246-11, Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 46.311, most recently dated Dec 2014. The complete official text is reproduced below, verbatim, from GSA's published FAR source files.
Its text contains no sentence requiring insertion into subcontracts; see the flowdown section below for what that does and does not mean.
Does it flow down to subcontracts?
No flowdown mandate found in the clause text
We scanned the full clause text and found no sentence directing the contractor to insert this clause into subcontracts. That is a statement about the text, not legal advice: a prime contractor may still flow terms down contractually, an agency supplement (DFARS, VAAR, …) may add requirements, and clauses listed below (if any) may order this clause into subcontracts from the outside.
Required in subcontracts by OTHER clauses
These clauses direct that FAR 52.246-11 be included in certain subcontracts:
“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this clause, the Contractor shall insert this clause, including this paragraph (g), in subcontracts that are for– (i) Items subject to higher-level quality standards in accordance with the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.246-11, Higher-Level Contract …”— FAR 52.246-26, Reporting Nonconforming Items
Where it's prescribed
As prescribed in 46.311 , insert the following clause:
Prescribing reference: FAR 46.311.
The official text, verbatim
As prescribed in 46.311 , insert the following clause:
Higher-Level Contract Quality Requirement (Dec 2014)
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(a) The Contractor shall comply with the higher-level quality standard(s) listed below.
______________________________________________________[Contracting Officer insert the title, number (if any), date, and tailoring (if any) of the higher-level quality standards.]
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(b) The Contractor shall include applicable requirements of the higher-level quality standard(s) listed in paragraph (a) of this clause and the requirement to flow down such standards, as applicable, to lower-tier subcontracts, in-
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(1) Any subcontract for critical and complex items (see 46.203(b) and (c)); or
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(2) When the technical requirements of a subcontract require-
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(i) Control of such things as design, work operations, in-process control, testing, and inspection; or
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(ii) Attention to such factors as organization, planning, work instructions, documentation control, and advanced metrology.
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(End of clause)