How are commercial items generally inspected according to standard practices?

Commercial items are generally inspected using the contractor's existing quality assurance systems because these systems are specifically designed and implemented by the contractor to ensure that their products meet required standards and specifications. This approach leverages the contractor's own quality management practices and allows for a more efficient inspection process.

Utilizing the contractor's internal quality assurance systems promotes accountability and enables the contractor to identify and rectify any deficiencies in their processes or products prior to government inspection. This method also aligns with the principles of commercial item acquisitions, where the focus is on the contractor's capability to provide quality products based on their established processes, rather than imposing additional external inspections.

Other options, such as independent third-party inspection or internal government audits, might be used in different contexts but are not the standard practice for inspecting commercial items. Visual inspection by government officials can be part of the oversight process but does not typically constitute the primary inspection method for commercial items, which relies heavily on the contractor's own quality assurance protocols.