XL EagleECO (Engineering Change Order)
ECO stands for Engineering Change Order. An Engineering Change Order, or ECO, is the document that authorizes and records a change to an approved product design, drawing, part or specification. It describes what is changing, why, which items are affected, and when the change takes effect.
In government work, ECOs often follow an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) that the government has reviewed. Once approved, the ECO is how the change is put into drawings, manufacturing and parts lists.
Why it matters to a small contractor
Suppliers and manufacturers working on government parts must build to the current approved revision. If you receive an ECO, update your drawings and travelers before the next run, and confirm with your customer how it affects price and delivery.
Example
A machine shop making brackets for a defense prime receives an ECO changing a hole diameter from 0.250 to 0.257 inches on revision C of the drawing. It updates its program and scraps the old revision drawings at the workstation.
ECO: common questions
Is an ECO the same as an ECP?
No. An ECP proposes a change and asks for approval. An ECO puts an approved change into effect.
Does an ECO change my contract price?
Not by itself. If the change affects your cost or schedule, it may need a contract modification. Raise it with the contracting officer or your prime.
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