Supplier Quality Requirements
(Applicable to Approved Suppliers of Best Global Source (BGS)
The following requirements apply to suppliers approved by Best Global Source (BGS) and form part of the Terms and Conditions of all Purchase Orders (POs) issued by BGS, whether transmitted electronically or in writing.
- Quality Management System Requirements
1.1 The Supplier shall maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) appropriate to the products and services provided.
1.2 Unless otherwise specified, the QMS should be compliant with ISO 9001; AS9100 certification is strongly preferred for aerospace products.
1.3 The Supplier shall ensure that personnel are competent based on education, training, skill, and experience.
- Order Acceptance
The Supplier shall process and fulfill this Purchase Order in accordance with the specified pricing, delivery method, technical requirements, drawings, specifications, and revision levels identified within the PO.
- Approval Authority
BGS reserves the right of final approval for:
- Products and services
- Manufacturing methods and processes
- Special processes
- Equipment utilized in production
- Release of products and services
- Customer-Approved Sources
When specified, the Supplier shall use BGS- or customer-approved external providers, including approved special process sources. Use of alternate sources requires prior written authorization from BGS.
- Product Conformity and Condition
5.1 All products shall be new and unused unless otherwise specified.
5.2 Products shall be free from Foreign Object Debris (FOD) and Foreign Object Damage (FOD).
5.3 Special processes shall be performed by qualified personnel and, where required, by approved sources.
5.4 Objective evidence of competency and/or certification shall be provided upon request.
- Notification Requirements
The Supplier shall notify BGS in writing within 24 hours upon discovery of any of the following:
- a) Inability to meet delivery or specification requirements
b) Discovery that nonconforming product has been shipped
c) Changes to product definition, processes, suppliers, manufacturing location, ownership, or QMS certification status
d) Use of unapproved external providers
No changes affecting product conformity shall be implemented without prior written approval from BGS.
- Control of Nonconforming Product
In the event of a nonconformance, the Supplier shall:
7.1 Segregate and control nonconforming product to prevent unintended use or delivery.
7.2 Submit a formal request for disposition to BGS when required.
7.3 Obtain written authorization from BGS prior to shipment of any nonconforming product.
No nonconforming product shall be shipped without documented approval from BGS.
- Certification and Documentation
When required by the PO, the Supplier shall provide:
- Certificate of Conformity (C of C)
- Test reports
- Material certifications
- Authorized Release Certificates (e.g., 8130-3, EASA Form 1)
- First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) per AS9102, if applicable
Documentation shall reflect applicable drawing and specification revisions.
- Record Retention
9.1 Quality records related to BGS orders shall be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years, unless otherwise specified by contract.
9.2 Calibration records associated with product acceptance shall be retained for seven (7) years from completion of the PO.
9.3 Records shall not be destroyed without written authorization from BGS.
- Counterfeit Parts Prevention
The Supplier shall implement a process to prevent the use and delivery of counterfeit or suspect counterfeit parts in accordance with AS9100 requirements. Documented procedures shall be made available to BGS upon request.
- Flow-Down of Requirements
The Supplier shall flow down all applicable BGS and customer requirements to sub-tier external providers, including:
- Technical requirements
- Key characteristics
- Special processes
- Traceability
- Record retention
- Product safety
- Counterfeit prevention
- Personnel Awareness
The Supplier shall ensure employees are aware of:
- a) Their contribution to product and service conformity
b) Their contribution to product safety
c) The importance of ethical behavior
- Right of Access
BGS, its customers, and applicable regulatory authorities reserve the right of access to:
- Applicable areas of facilities
- Relevant documented information
- Sub-tier supplier facilities
Access may be required for audit, inspection, or investigation purposes.
Supplier Monitoring and Performance
- Performance Monitoring
Supplier performance shall be monitored based on:
- On-time delivery
- Product/service quality
- Responsiveness and corrective action effectiveness
BGS may issue corrective action requests (CARs) for unsatisfactory performance. Continued poor performance may result in increased oversight, removal of approval status, or other corrective measures.
Testing, Inspection, and Verification
- Verification Activities
BGS and/or its customers reserve the right to perform verification or validation activities at the Supplier’s premises.
- Inspection Requirements
BGS may specify inspection, test, verification, production process validation, statistical techniques, or key characteristic controls required for product acceptance.
- Test Specimens
When required, the Supplier shall provide test specimens for design approval, validation, inspection, investigation, or audit purposes.
- Design and Special Controls
BGS reserves the right to identify and require control of:
- Special requirements
- Critical items
- Key characteristics
- Design and development controls
Traceability and Identification
- Traceability System
The Supplier shall maintain a documented traceability system that provides traceability from raw material through final product, including:
- a) Raw material source and composition
b) Material and process certifications
c) Acceptance and inspection records
d) Country of origin
e) Packing slip accompanying each shipment
Traceability shall maintain linkage to current drawing revisions and applicable specifications, including customer-specific traceability requirements where applicable.
Supplier Communication
- Communication
All PO requirements are communicated at time of issuance. In the event of discrepancies or nonconformance, communication shall occur via written correspondence, email, or formal corrective action request.
- Customer-Designated Sources
Where specified by BGS or its customer, the Supplier shall use designated or approved external providers. Such requirements will be identified within the PO.