NADCAP Accreditation
What is Nadcap?
Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is an industry-managed approach to conformity assessment of ‘special processes’ that brings together technical experts from prime contractors, suppliers and representatives from government to work together and establish requirements for approval of suppliers using a standardized approach. Unlike traditional third party programs, Nadcap approval is granted based upon industry consensus.
How does the Nadcap process work?
The Performance Review Institute (PRI) administers the Nadcap program. PRI will schedule an audit and assign an approved auditor who will conduct the audit against an industry agreed standard using an industry agreed checklist. At the end of the audit, any non-conformity issues will be raised and non-conformance reports issued. PRI will administer closeout of the non-conformance reports and upon completion will present the completed audit package to a ‘special process’ task group made up of members from industry that will review it and vote on its acceptability for approval. Accreditation is granted when all non-conformances are closed.
What will Nadcap do for me, what added value does it serve?
The Nadcap program offers the opportunity for suppliers to gain tighter controls within their special processes, provides the forum for a voice in the establishment of audit requirements, networking, and market recognition
The Nadcap program provides accreditation for special processes in the aerospace and defense industry.
These include:
- Aerospace Quality Systems (AQS)
- Chemical Processing (CP)
- Coatings (CT)
- Composites (COMP)
- Conventional Machining as a Special Process (CMSP)
- Elastomer Seals (SEAL)
- Electronics (ETG)
- Fluids Distribution (FLU)
- Heat Treating (HT)
- Materials Testing Laboratories (MTL)
- Measurement & Inspection (M&I)
- Metallic Materials Manufacturing (MMM)
- Nonconventional Machining and Surface Enhancement (NMSE)
- Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
- Non Metallic Materials Manufacturing (NMMM)
- Non Metallic Materials Testing (NMMT)
- Sealants (SLT)
- Welding (WLD)
Client need to select and choose the applicable audit criteria and implement the requirements as per their plant, facility, scope, customer requirements etc
What type of preparation is required for a Nadcap audit?
PRI/Nadcap recommends using the applicable audit checklists to conduct a thorough self-audit. Correcting Nonconformances identified and serious preparation directly affect cycle time of processing the audit report. Staff Engineers are available at PRI to discuss any questions that suppliers may have regarding audit criteria questions.
How are the audits conducted on site?
Nadcap audits follow general auditing protocol with an in-briefing meeting and an exit or out-briefing meeting. Auditors identify any/all nonconformances on a daily basis. The auditor will contact the supplier prior to the audit to determine the audit plan so as to disrupt the supplier operations as little as possible.
How long does the audit take?
Nadcap audits generally take two (2) – five (5) days to conduct. The audit length is based upon the scope of the audit (number of checklist, processes, etc.).
What is the frequency of Nadcap audits?
Frequency can vary for each special process. The Nadcap policy is that the first subsequent audit (first reaccreditation audit) is to be conducted within twelve months of the initial audit. Subsequent reaccreditation audits may be conducted per the Supplier Merit Program on 18 month or 24 month intervals based upon audit performance. Please contact PRI for the specific requirements of the applicable special process accreditation task group.
Steps involved in NADCAP Accreditation
- Visit eauditnet.com, register and obtain the applicable audit check lists
- Conduct the GAP analysis and prepare an action plan for the GAP’s
- Review the existing process, documents and update inline with NADCAP Audit Criteria
- Conduct the Job Audit and Take necessary corrective action
- Get the quote for NADCAP Audit
- Schedule the NADCAP Audit
- Pay the Audit fees
- NADCAP Audit
- Closure of NC’s (In case of any NC)
- Grant of Accreditation
Pre-Requisite
Client shall have a valid AS 9100 Rev D Quality System for NDT and Heat Treatment.
Client shall have a valid ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation or AC 7006 for their Material Testing Lab for an independent lab.
Who mandates NADCAP ?
Most of the major OEM (Primes) mandate NADCAP. Refer attached matrix.
NADCAP Audit fee ?
Refer attached – 2019 Nadcap Audit Pricing for eAuditNet w risk mitigation
How much it costs ?
Apart from the NADCAP audit fee, there will be a consulting fee and implementation fee (qualification of personnel, equipment, calibration, process as per NADCAP audit criteria).
How long it will take to get NADCAP ?
It depends on the existing system / process maturity level. It will take 8 to 12 months per commodity.