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April 2014 • SMT Magazine 71 ing process, attributes, and auditor qualifications are evaluated and deemed adequate to assure com- pliance with this document and/or other invoked require- ments." The ability to rely on audits performed by third par- ties accomplishes two impor- tant things. First, it gives the manufacturer confidence that the independent distributor they have engaged and trusted to find components has been vetted and certified by a third party. Second, it relieves the manufacturer of the cost and burden of sending their audit team to each and every sup- plier they use. Another place industry can look to in their search to work exclusively with trusted suppli- ers is the aforementioned QTSL program, which works in a fashion similar to AS6081 and also requires that components be authenticated via testing. DLA Land & Maritime has conducted on-site audits of independent distributors to determine which sources of supply have the quality management system, counterfeit avoid - ance plan and infrastructure in place to keep counterfeit components out of its supply chain. As of this writing, 14 independent dis- tributors have been qualified by DLA for QTSL. Manufacturers seeking to comply with NDAA Section 818 could turn to this list to satisfy the trusted supplier requirement of the law by working with QTSL-approved suppliers. Recall that AS5553-A allows manufacturers to use the results of audits performed by private sector or government organizations. Therefore, the prime contractor or manufacturer could utilize the audit performed by DLA—thereby saving time and money. One final tool contractors and manufactur- ers may use to help determine whether a supplier rises to the level of a trusted supplier is the SAE ARP6178 Fraudulent/Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Tool for Risk Assessment of Distributors. This tool provides a framework for evaluating whether a potential supplier has the requisite quality man- agement system and counterfeit avoidance plan in place to protect your supply chain. The risk assessment tool "was de- veloped from best practices identi- fied by procuring organizations and was developed with the intent of supplementing the information and requirements of AS5553-A and AS6081 aero- space standards [3] ." ARP6178 encourages on-site audits of potential suppliers and includes a Pre-Visit Assessment Survey, which can be used as an initial gauge to determine whether a potential supplier warrants a site visit. In sum, ARP6178 is a tool which can be used to help deter- mine whether a potential sup- plier merits consideration as a trusted supplier. Finally, industry should supplement their use of objective tools and standards like those mentioned above with some common sense. Highly trustworthy independent distributors tend to act in a transparent fashion, keep- ing their customers informed throughout the purchasing process. When looking for a trust- worthy independent distributor, transparen- cy and the willingness to act as a partner to your purchasing and sourcing teams, rather than a simple broker, are important qualities to consider. SMT references: 1. NDAA Section 818 C.3.C. 2. NDAA Section 818 C.3.D. 3. SAE ARP6178, Foreword. krAMer on coMPonenTS prOTECTiNG YOUr SUpplY ChaiN FrOM COUNTErFEiTS aND liaBiliTY continues figure 2: The DoD has adopted SAe AS6081 & AS5553-A. Todd kramer is ceo of Secure components llc, an AS6081 & AS9120 certified independent distributor of electronic and mechanical components to the aerospace, defense, and high- reliability industries. kramer is an active mem- ber of organizations such as SAe g-19c, the current chairman of u.S. national committee (uSnc/iecQ) and the international Working group 06 (Counterfeit Avoidance). To contact kramer or to read past columns, click here.