EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NADCAP
The U.S. military relies on the collaboration and innovation of the private sector throughout the aerospace and defense industries. Regulating these entities to ensure quality control is important for maintaining the highest standards and safety for those who are serving. Nadcap is an initiative across the industry to ensure that suppliers are accredited and well-managed for the task of national defense. Learn more about Nadcap certification. Find out how it can help your business become a defense contractor as well as how to become an auditor.
What Is Nadcap?
Nadcap is an effort between the government and aerospace/defense industries to accredit suppliers and lay the framework for applicable programs involving national defense. Using “special processes,” the Performance Review Institute (PRI) Nadcap program serves many purposes. Thus it helps build a stronger ecosystem for businesses, provides networking opportunities, and ensures quality. Then, PRI schedules audits and assigns an approved auditor. The auditor is in charge of ensuring suppliers meet the industry standards on their checklist. When there are issues, PRI provides the special process task group with its findings for review to vote on its approval. Suppliers are accredited once the nonconformances are fixed. The results of the Nadcap accreditation approach include an industry consensus on the standards expected by all, centralized auditing, more technical auditing processes, improved quality, standardization, lower costs, and an increased number of audits for primes, while also providing fewer audits for suppliers.
Its History
Becoming Nadcap certified started in 1990, after years of less cohesive practices. This was after the US Government/Industry Equal Partners Conference sought a solution to get rid of duplicate process control audits for suppliers. Before PRI took over, aerospace companies had to do their own audits. Most audits were similar and this led to redundancy within the industry. As a way of improving the process and freeing up time for everyone, the Nadcap audit came into being.
What Are Nadcap Special Processes?
To become a Nadcap accredited supplier, your business must undergo various special processes that show measurements and verifications of procedures that generate products and services customers might not see beforehand otherwise. Any list of Nadcap-approved suppliers will undergo special processes ensuring defects are not a part of the final product or service through destructive testing. Here are the different tests available:
- Chemical Processing
- Heat Treating
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- Non Conventional Machining
- Welding
Nadcap's special processes will alter or change physical product parts to make sure they meet the strict guidelines of the industry for the task at hand. Fact-based evidence needs to be provided to PRI auditors showing the results to expect during the special processes. Finally, the product review takes place based on the result of the special processes. Any small business looking to provide solutions for the American Armed Forces will need to meet the criteria of special processes and become Nadcap accredited to have a seat at the table.
How to Become a Nadcap Auditor
The handbook from PRI, Become a Nadcap Auditor, can help break down everything you need to know to secure the role. Here are some qualifications you’ll need to be considered:
- You’ll need to have expert knowledge of the technology.
- Auditors must have their own devices for the work and conduct at least 10 audits each year. Travel is often a requirement.
- You’ll need to be comfortable working as an independent contractor.
- Furthermore, confidentiality and ethical behavior are a requirement.
- Communication skills, specifically with the English language, and interpersonal skills are necessary.
To be selected, submit your application to PRI and complete the assessment. From there, you’ll need to complete a phone assessment from a PRI staff member. You will then be completing an interview with a task group, undertaking training audits, and then must maintain good standing through your audit reviews.
Nadcap Meetings
If you’re looking to learn more about involvement, a Nadcap meeting may be a good place to start. Held three times each year, the locations change; however, there is an annual meeting in October in Pittsburgh. Anyone serious about Nadcap PRI processes should consider attending. Once there, you’ll learn about the latest developments, receive training, and find plenty of networking opportunities throughout the event.
How Much Does a Nadcap Auditor Make?
If you’re looking to become a Nadcap auditor, it’s worth noting the pay rate. While this will vary depending on where you are working and your years of experience, on average, you can expect to make more than $19 per hour on average. On the higher end of things, the pay can reach north of $46 per hour. However, this is an anomaly based on advanced auditor positions. They require more years of experience and a higher skill level. Whether you are looking to join the industry as an auditor or get your business trusted and in line with the rest of the industry, Nadcap is an essential accreditation process for anyone interested in the aerospace and defense industries. Image: Nadcap Related reads: