Procurement Engineering
Our commercial and technical expertise ensures that we recommend, select, and supply components from trusted manufacturing sources, effectively avoiding counterfeits. Every EEE part procured undergoes rigorous inspection and testing to guarantee compliance with:
- Quality and reliability requirements.
- Cost constraints and budget.
- Delivery schedules.
As part of ALTER Technology’s Product Enhancement division, Procurement Engineering supports OEMs, EMS providers, equipment manufacturers and system integrators that need to source and manage existing EEE components while controlling technical, quality and supply risks. Procurement decisions can therefore be connected with Parts Engineering and Product Assurance, qualification and testing according to the component and its intended application.
Our procurement services can be delivered through two main approaches:
Co-ordinated parts procurement
This approach is ideal for satellites with ESA as the end customer and a prime contractor. It involves a centralized agent (CPPA – Coordinated Parts Procurement Agency) managing purchase orders from various users, consolidating needs, and interfacing with manufacturers. Key features include:
- Centralized Interface: CPPA acts as the focal point for all EEE parts procurement, standardizing part types and ensuring compliance with PA requirements.
- Declared Component List (DCL) Management: Users provide their DCLs, which are analyzed and discussed for standardization and approval.
- Consolidated Procurement: CPPA places purchase orders, performs follow-ups, inspections, and tests, and coordinates shipments to users.
Because coordinated procurement is based on the project DCL and its technical requirements, it can also help identify component availability, compliance and lifecycle risks at an early stage. For additional technical background, doEEEt explains the role of the Declared Components List (DCL) in space projects and how it supports component control throughout a programme.
Advantages
- Streamlined communication with manufacturers.
- Reduced costs through consolidated orders.
- Consistent quality assurance.
Direct Procurement service
For projects requiring direct interaction with equipment manufacturers, we provide:
- Preparation and integration of procurement specifications.
- Implementation and maintenance of the Component Procurement and Control Plan.
- Obsolescence management and evaluation of alternatives.
- Creation of evaluation, screening, and radiation test plans.
- Manufacturer audits and capability assessments.
- Comprehensive reliability analysis and test result evaluations.
- Component database management for streamlined tracking.
Procurement decisions may also need to consider component lifecycle and long-term availability. When obsolescence or supply continuity becomes a risk, procurement can be coordinated with ALTER’s Long Term Storage Services and, where appropriate, Relifing activities. doEEEt provides further guidance on alert and obsolescence management in space projects.
Procurement Engineering
Ensuring full compliance with project quality requirements
Selecting and procuring the right EEE parts is critical to meeting the challenging environmental, mechanical, and radiation conditions in the space industry. Our flexible services adapt to each project’s requirements, including:
- Technical support, parts engineering, and testing to ensure proper selection and usage.
- Identification, definition, and selection of parts and suppliers.
- Documentation generation, including PADs, specifications, and test plans.
- Ordering and follow-up of parts.
- ITAR compliance management.
- Comprehensive inspection and testing of parts.
- EEE parts product assurance and risk mitigation.
- Failure and non-conformance management.
- Obsolescence management and storage solutions.
These activities can form part of a wider component assurance process. When a programme requires dedicated control of EEE component requirements, documentation, deviations, traceability or acceptance evidence, Procurement Engineering can be complemented by ALTER’s Product Assurance Support.
Procurement Testing
When failure is not an option
EEE components for space applications must reliably endure extreme conditions, including:
Our experts ensure components meet these rigorous standards through extensive testing, such as:
- Incoming inspection.
- Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA).
- Screening and Evaluation Testing.
- Lot Acceptance Tests (LAT).
- Relifing services.
ALTER is responsible for assessing the physical, electrical, and environmental characteristics of procured parts using calibrated equipment. All tests adhere to specified procedures and methods, ensuring reliable performance and compliance with project specifications.
When the available procurement or manufacturer evidence is not sufficient for the intended application, additional evaluation can be defined according to the component and the risk being addressed. ALTER’s Component Qualification services include activities such as Screening and Lot Acceptance Testing. For projects using commercial components, doEEEt also provides guidance on testing COTS components for space.
Why choose ALTER for your engineering needs?
Partner with us and experience a streamlined, efficient process that takes your engineering projects to the next level.
Proven expertise in space-grade and high-reliability applications.
A dedicated team focused on delivering innovative, reliable solutions.
End-to-end support from design to procurement and logistics.