Make Sure Your Aircraft Cable Contract Flow Down Goes "DFAR" Enough

Without getting into too many specifics, stainless steel and galvanized aircraft cable, both military specification and commercial grade, as well as stainless and galvanized wire rope, often fall under the purview of sourcing regulations. Just asking for a "Domestic Rope" may not be enough. It is important to be familiar with the different material and sourcing requirements to which you may need to specify for your material. Below is a breakdown of some of the common requests.

Federal Regulations  

Believe it our not, Congress often puts in place regulations to dictate how and where tax dollars are spent. They often specify, amongst other things, from where the materials used in the manufacture of certain end products must be sourced. Specialty Metals, most notably the stainless steels and nickel alloys used in our industry, are given additional levels of traceability requirements, all of which need to be discussed at the beginning of the quoting process to ensure that the proper material is provided. Here are a few of the requirements that may arise:

Domestic Manufacture: The aircraft cable or wire rope must be stranded and closed in the United States

Buy American: requires a specific level of the cost of manufacturing the aircraft cable or wire rope be of domestic origin

DFAR: Similar to Buy American, but with several foreign countries listed as approved sources of raw material or finished product

100% Domestic: All material must have been manufactured, and labor performed (including the melting of the steel) in the United States

If you have any of the above clauses specified in you contact, make sure you inform us. As a general rule, simply gather as much information about your contract requirements as possible. Pay special attention to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, or more commonly: The Stimulus Bill) contracts, and Military Contracts, as they contain many clauses requiring domestically manufatrured aircraft cables and wire ropes. When in doubt, contact us and we'll help you sort through the requirements and ensure you receive the proper aircraft cable or wire rope to meet all your contract obligations.