If you're a defense prime or Tier 1 vetting a new fabrication supplier, the qualification process can feel like a checklist exercise. But there's a reason each of these requirements exists. Here's what actually matters and why — and how Jack & Sons is set up to meet them from day one.
CAGE Code — The Starting Point
A Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a five-character identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency. If a supplier doesn't have one, they can't appear in government procurement systems, can't receive government contracts directly, and can't be easily verified by a prime contractor's compliance team.
Jack & Sons CAGE Code: 959Z3. Active, current, verified in SAM.gov.
SAM.gov Registration — Federal Contractor Status
System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal database for entities doing business with the U.S. government. Active SAM.gov registration is required for direct government contract awards and is increasingly required by prime contractors for their sub-tier suppliers as well.
An active SAM.gov registration tells a buyer that the supplier has completed the federal registration process, is not on any excluded parties lists, and has provided accurate representations and certifications about their business. It's baseline table stakes for serious defense supply chain work.
ISO 9001:2015 — Why Certification Matters More Than You Think
A lot of shops claim to have "quality processes." ISO 9001:2015 certification means an accredited third party has audited those processes and confirmed they meet an internationally recognized standard.
For a buyer, ISO certification means the supplier has documented procedures, maintains records, conducts internal audits, and has a process for corrective action when something goes wrong. It doesn't guarantee perfect parts — nothing does — but it means there's a system in place to catch problems, document them, and prevent recurrence.
Jack & Sons ISO 9001:2015 certification is issued by Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR), accredited by ANAB. Certificate No. C2025-02153. Expiration: March 2028.
Qualified Welding Procedures — The Detail That Separates Real From Paper
A supplier can have every registration and certification on the list and still not be able to execute your program if they don't have qualified procedures for your materials. For defense work involving MIL-spec armor, titanium, or other controlled materials, WPS/PQR documentation isn't optional — it's part of the first article package.
Ask any prospective supplier: do you have qualified procedures for this material, and who performed the qualification testing? If the answer is vague, that's a risk you're assuming.
What We Bring to the Table
CAGE Code 959Z3 · UEI ND3KB97D4M14 · DUNS 117955305 · Active SAM.gov · ISO 9001:2015 Certified · In-house WPS/PQR for armor, titanium, and exotic alloys · NDT access through A2LA-accredited United Technical affiliate on-site.
If you're putting together a supplier qualification package, we're ready to support it. Send us what you need.