Key Points Certifications like AS9100, ISO 9001, and ITAR registration are the baseline for aerospace and defense work, not differentiators. Verify them before anything else Vertical integration reduces lead times, cost, and vendor risk by consolidating multiple manufacturing steps under one roof A partner who handles both prototype and production volumes eliminates a costly re-qualification step at the worst possible moment Communication quality and engineering depth separate capable partners from adequate ones. Ask to speak with their engineers, not just their sales team Quote accuracy is a proxy for engineering maturity. Partners who miss early quotes often miss delivery dates and quality targets too Choosing a contract manufacturing partner is one of the highest-stakes supply chain decisions you'll make. Get it right and you compress lead times, reduce overhead, and bring products to market faster. Get it wrong and you're managing quality escapes, missed deliveries, and a re-qualification process that costs you weeks you didn't have.