Compliance and Certifications
Industry Standards we uphold
Supplier Purchase Order T&C
Read or download BESTProto Supplier Purchase Order Terms & Conditions
Certificate Request
Quality Assurance & Compliance
At BESTProto, we are focused on assisting you in realizing, refining, expanding, and enhancing products that will drive your business forward. With over two decades of experience in rapid PCB prototyping and electronic device assembly, we serve a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, semiconductors, defense and aerospace, medical, and commercial markets. As a member of IPC, we are ITAR registered and uphold a Quality Management System certified by AS 9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 standards.
IPC Certification
Our prototyping and assembly processes are compliant with the IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) standards, ensuring high-quality, reliable printed circuit boards (PCBs). Specifically, we adhere to IPC-A-610, which governs the acceptability of electronic assemblies, and J-STD-001, which sets the requirements for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies. We are compliant with the IPC-2581 standard, a standardized, open, and neutral XML-based data format used for transferring complete printed circuit board (PCB) design, fabrication, and assembly data between designers and fabricators. This commitment guarantees that all products meet the stringent criteria for their designated performance class.
International Trade in Arms Regulations
BESTProto is registered with the Department of State for defense article manufacturing under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a US Government framework that controls how defense-related items, technologies, and data are exported or shared. When working with military or aerospace-grade products, we strictly adhere to the ITAR regulatory guidelines to meet our ITAR Registration status.
National Institute of Standards And Technology
Our organization maintains compliance with NIST Special Publication 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. We’ve implemented the required security controls to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and regularly audit our systems to ensure they meet the standard’s stringent requirements. This commitment guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of all CUI processed, stored, or transmitted within our IT infrastructure. Our compliance status is actively recorded in the DoD Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
CMMC
Level 1
CMMC Level 1 Compliance
Our organization has completed the mandatory annual self-assessment and affirmed our compliance with CMMC Level 1 / FAR 52.204-21 requirements. Our compliance status is actively recorded in the DoD Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
AS 9100:2016 Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
BESTProto, Inc. is certified to ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). This certification demonstrates our commitment to consistently providing high-quality products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. Our adherence to this standard is a testament to our focus on customer satisfaction and continual process improvement.
SAM / CAGE Registration
BESTProto, Inc. is a registered vendor with the U.S. government, holding an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Our company is also identified by a CAGE Code and a DUNS Number, which are essential for federal contracting and grant processes. These registrations confirm our ability to engage in business with government agencies and defense-related entities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ITAR registration and AS9100 certification?
ITAR governs security and legal compliance. It is the framework that keeps controlled technical data, design files, and physical hardware from unauthorized foreign access. AS9100 governs quality, an aerospace-specific quality management standard, built on ISO 9001, that ensures rigorous risk management, configuration control, and full lot traceability. For most defense and aerospace programs, you need both: ITAR to keep the design secure, AS9100 to ensure the build meets aerospace-grade quality standards. BESTProto holds both.
What's the difference between NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 1?
They protect different categories of information. NIST 800-171 covers the security controls required to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) – sensitive but unclassified government data. CMMC Level 1 is a self-assessment framework built around FAR 52.204-21, focused on basic safeguarding of Federal Contract Information (FCI), a narrower and less sensitive category than CUI. BESTProto maintains both.
Is AS9100 basically the same as ISO 9001?
No. AS9100:2016 is built directly on top of ISO 9001:2015 and adds more than 100 aerospace-specific requirements around risk management, configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, and supplier approval. Holding AS9100 means BESTProto meets ISO 9001 plus the additional controls aerospace and defense customers specifically require.
What's the difference between IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001?
J-STD-001 governs how solder joints and assemblies should be made: the process requirements. IPC-A-610 governs how the finished assembly is judged: the acceptability criteria inspectors use to evaluate workmanship. BESTProto complies with both, covering process and inspection standards.
Does IPC-2581 replace Gerber files?
Not necessarily, but it’s a step up in some ways. IPC-2581 is a single, standardized XML-based format that carries design, fabrication, and assembly data together, reducing the ambiguity that can come from separate Gerber layer files. BESTProto supports both.
Does BESTProto perform all assembly work domestically, with no offshore subcontracting?
Yes. BESTProto operates entirely within the U.S. We do not source from or outsource to foreign companies or facilities, and our team is made up of U.S. citizens. This is a deliberate operating policy rather than something every certification we hold strictly mandates, though it aligns closely with our ITAR obligations and gives defense and aerospace customers additional assurance around data security and supply chain control.
Is BESTProto's staff IPC-trained?
Yes. Our staff is trained by IPC, which allows us to offer customers the choice of building to IPC Workmanship Class 2 or Class 3, depending on the reliability and inspection requirements of your project.
How do I request a copy of BESTProto's certificates?
Use the Certificate Request form on this page: select the certificate(s) you need (ITAR, AS9100D, ISO 9001, CMMC Level 1, or SAM/CAGE) and submit your contact and company information.