Beyond the Stratosphere: Why Due Diligence in Aerospace Sourcing Is Non-Negotiable

Jim Bergman

In aerospace, precision is everything. Whether building the next-generation fighter jet or ensuring a commercial airliner safely lands, the components and services sourced must meet uncompromising standards. That’s where due diligence plays its most critical role – not behind the scenes, but at the very core of safety, compliance, and innovation.

Safety Without Compromise

Unlike many other industries, failure in aerospace isn’t just costly – it’s potentially catastrophic. Every part, from fasteners to flight control systems, must adhere to strict technical and quality standards. Due diligence ensures that vendors follow internationally recognized certifications (such as AS9100 or NADCAP), maintain traceability of materials, and operate with consistent quality assurance protocols.

Regulatory and Export Compliance

The aerospace sector is heavily regulated and globally sensitive. Sourcing from vendors who don’t comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), or EU dual-use laws can trigger legal penalties and jeopardize entire programs. Due diligence verifies a supplier’s ability to meet both civil aviation standards and defense-related export controls.

Supply Chain Security and Resilience

Modern aerospace supply chains span continents and involve countless subcontractors. A single undisclosed third-party or counterfeit part can undermine the integrity of an entire platform. Rigorous sourcing assessments help identify weak points, confirm chain of custody, and guard against tampering or intellectual property theft – protecting not just products, but national interests.

Innovation Integrity

The industry thrives on cutting-edge technologies, from lightweight materials to AI-driven avionics. But innovation without proper vetting can be risky. Due diligence helps ensure that startups and specialized suppliers meet standards for testing, documentation, and performance, while protecting proprietary technology from misuse or infringement.

Reputation, Program Credibility, and Cost Control

A procurement misstep – whether it’s a grounded fleet, a failed rocket launch, or a supplier under investigation – can destroy public trust and investor confidence. Beyond risk avoidance, thorough vetting ensures that costs remain in check, milestones stay on track, and program integrity isn’t compromised.

Final Thoughts

In aerospace, the margin for error is measured in microns and milliseconds. Due diligence is the silent co-pilot that ensures every sourcing decision upholds the sector’s expectations for safety, compliance, and technological excellence. For organizations with their sights set on the sky, it’s the only way to fly.

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Published by Jim Bergman

Jim Bergman is a commercial contract professional with global experience spanning the USA, Latin America, UK, Europe, China, South Korea, Japan, India, SE Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. He has worked on a wide range of direct and indirect spend categories in numerous sectors, developing a deep knowledge of services, goods and technology procurement and sales. Across this wide array of commodity and services experience, Jim has found the keys to success in maximizing value for money through customer-supplier relationships founded on innovative category management and strategic sourcing practices, key performance metrics and measures, as well as Total Cost of Ownership principles and collaborative contracting tenets. He has shared his knowledge through advisory engagements, as well as in developing and delivering training programs both on-line and in classrooms, in both open-enrollment and internal environments. Jim has assisted his clients through all phases and steps of contracting, negotiation, strategic sourcing and bidding processes, demonstrating value generation in excess of $250 million. His audiences and clients have included over 7,000 attorneys and commercial professionals students from over 1,000 corporations and public-sector entities.

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