Does Assembly make Fabricated Items

[Mark McLeod]

Most of that sounds like Fabricated.

In general, COTS condition means it's exactly as it was when it appeared in a FedEx box on your doorstep from the manufacturer or off the shelf at a store.

If a disassembled item is also available direct from the manufacturer in an assembled form, then you can assemble it and still count as COTS.

Any hands on work like adding connectors, keys, gears, bolting onto a frame, bringing any to pieces together that were not sold that way is fabricating.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Thanks guys for the quick responses.

If assembly DOES make a set of parts "fabricated", would disassembly (removing gear and key form motor) return the part's COTS status?

[Mark McLeod]

Yes, an item can be returned to store condition and count again as COTS.

For instance, I ordered gas shocks that came as a shock, a separate tip, and an activator that screws onto the end.
I put the three pieces together and it was no longer COTS even though it just looks like a gas shock unattached to any new parts, because I could not buy it already assembled.
I unscrew the pieces and it is again as it came in the box and is COTS, because that is how it was bought.

But not machined items like cutting down a shaft or lathing for a clip.
Anything irreversible makes it forever a fabricated item.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Thanks Mark. If paid customer service was as fast as CD, the world would be a much better place.