Internal Audits for NADCAP-Accredited Companies

We help you prepare for NADCAP - Accredited audits by aligning your special processes with industry requirements and your internal systems

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What is NADCAP?

NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is a global program that checks whether certain high-risk manufacturing processes — like welding, heat treating, or chemical processing — are done the right way in aerospace and defense. These are called special processes because you can’t always inspect the final product to tell if something went wrong. So the process itself has to be tightly controlled.

The program is run by the Performance Review Institute (PRI), and audits are carried out by experts in each process. The goal is to make sure suppliers meet strict requirements from companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, or NASA.

At SOVA Consultants, we help suppliers prepare for Internal Audits for NADCAP- Accredited Companies. That includes reviewing your current processes, spotting any gaps, and making sure your documentation lines up with what auditors look for. We want your audits to be smoother, with fewer findings and less stress.

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Why NADCAP Exists

NADCAP was created to ensure the highest level of consistency and quality in specialized manufacturing processes that are critical to aerospace and defense products. These processes are often complex and technical, making them difficult to verify through standard inspections alone.

Before NADCAP, aerospace companies faced challenges with inconsistent supplier processes, varying quality, and duplicated audits from multiple customers. NADCAP solves these problems by providing a unified, industry-driven accreditation program that:

  • Standardizes special process requirements across the industry

  • Reduces redundant audits by consolidating evaluations into one thorough review

  • Improves supplier quality and reliability by focusing on process control and technical expertise

  • Supports safety and performance in products where failure is not an option

In short, NADCAP exists to raise the bar for critical manufacturing processes, helping the entire aerospace supply chain deliver safer, more reliable products.

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Who Needs NADCAP?

NADCAP accreditation is essential for suppliers performing special processes that affect aerospace and defense product safety and reliability. These include:

  • Companies doing plating, anodizing, and chemical treatments on aerospace parts.

  • Suppliers that control material properties through precise heating and cooling cycles.

  • Organizations welding components where strength and integrity are critical.

  • Organizations conducting inspections like X-rays, ultrasounds, and other methods that don’t damage parts.

  • Manufacturers involved in composite materials or surface treatments requiring specialized oversight.

Benefits of NADCAP Accreditation

For validating critical manufacturing processes.

  • Confirms special process capability to OEM requirements

  • Reduces redundant audits from multiple customers

  • Ensures technical accuracy through SME-led assessments

  • Builds credibility in the PRI database of trusted suppliers

  • Increases your chances of winning complex aerospace work

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Have Questions?

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