Demonstrate compliance with AISC certification requirements by controlling supplier selection, subcontractor approval, purchasing, and verification of received products and services. This module prepares steel fabricators and structural steel erectors to show AISC auditors that subcontractors, suppliers, and purchased items meet contract requirements and the AISC quality certification program. Buyers checking the AISC certification list, the list of AISC certified fabricators, or the AISC certified erectors list expect reliable purchasing and supplier control from every certified steel company.
Supplier and subcontractor control ensures that all parties conform to contract requirements, the company’s quality management system, and the AISC certification program. Responsibility for supplier control rests with the Purchasing Manager. AISC auditors will ask to see subcontractor evaluations, supplier qualification records, and approval criteria. Buyers comparing structural steel erection companies expect to see formal processes that prove subcontractors are qualified before being hired.
New subcontractors and suppliers must be evaluated before being added to the Subcontractors & Suppliers Qualification Record. Evaluations may be conducted through references, phone audits, or performance history. Criteria include:
These evaluations must be documented and approved before engagement. AISC auditors expect this evidence, and buyers searching how to become AISC certified or aisc certification checklist expect reliable supplier control.
Current subcontractors and suppliers must be evaluated annually at minimum. Evaluations are based on the same criteria as initial approvals and graded on an A–F scale. Records of these evaluations must be kept. Buyers comparing companies from the aisc certified fabricators list or aisc certified erectors list view consistent supplier monitoring as proof of a reliable certified steel company.
Detailing firms must be evaluated with a Subcontract Detailer Evaluation Record. Resumes of detailers and checkers must be kept on file. They must show experience in projects similar to those provided by the company, knowledge of material specifications, mill rolling practices, and connection selection. AISC auditors frequently review detailer qualifications, and buyers expect assurance that subcontracted detailing firms are capable and experienced.
Subcontracted fabrication and erection firms must hold current AISC certification for the type of work being performed. If a non-certified subcontractor is used, written approval must be obtained from the owner or designated representative. Buyers searching aisc certified fabricator requirements, aisc erector certification, or aisc certified erector list expect this level of subcontractor control.
Purchasing ensures subcontractors, products, materials, and services conform to project requirements. Responsibility rests with the Purchasing Manager. AISC auditors will review purchase orders to verify proper controls.
Purchase documents must clearly describe all subcontracted work, purchased product, materials, and services. They must include:
Purchase orders for welding rod and wire must include AWS specification and AWS classification. Buyers searching AISC certification requirements or aisc certification training expect suppliers to show this level of purchasing control.
Verification ensures that all purchased products, materials, and services conform to project requirements. Responsibility rests with the Quality Assurance Manager. AISC auditors check that receiving inspections are performed, recorded, and tied to purchase order requirements.
All purchased products and materials must be compared to purchase order requirements. The Receiving Inspection procedure must be followed and records retained. Services must also be verified as follows:
Buyers reviewing the AISC certified fabricators list expect to see MTRs and CofCs tied to every material and service. Weak verification processes increase AISC certification cost and risk audit findings.
For the AISC documentation audit, stage purchase orders, MTRs, CofCs, subcontractor qualification records, and annual evaluations. For the on site audit, ensure purchasing and QA staff can explain the evaluation and verification process. AISC auditors will expect evidence of purchasing control and supplier oversight. Companies that fail often turn to AISC certification consultants to repair systems, which increases AISC certification cost.
Buyers search AISC certification cost, AISC fees, AISC membership, AISC certification consultants, AISC certification checklist, and how to get AISC certified when evaluating suppliers. They expect strong supplier and purchasing controls to ensure reliability. Companies mastering this area dominate SERPs for aisc certified fabricator requirements, aisc certification program, and regain AISC certification.
Companies often fail supplier and purchasing control because of:
These issues are obvious to AISC auditors and concern buyers comparing steel fabricators and structural steel erection companies. Strong supplier and purchasing controls prove compliance with AISC certification requirements.