EASA Part 145 Supplier Vendor Assessment Considerations

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS)?www.sassofia.com?considers the key features of an effective Supplier Vendor Assessment Process

Introduction

An EASA Part 145 compliant vendor qualification survey is a comprehensive evaluation covering organizational structure, personnel qualifications, quality management, safety and compliance monitoring, maintenance practices, record keeping, subcontractor control, facility security, environmental compliance, audit procedures, customer feedback mechanisms, and technical capabilities. This ensures that maintenance organizations meet the high standards required for aircraft safety and reliability.

• The key features of such a survey, covering relevant areas for oversight and guidance, can be summarized as follows:

Typical Review Areas Include the Following:

• Organization and Facility Overview: This section assesses the vendor’s organizational structure, facilities, and resources. It includes evaluating the maintenance facility’s location, size, and capability to perform required maintenance tasks.

o???The survey also checks for the presence of necessary tools, equipment, and materials.

• Personnel Qualifications and Training: This area focuses on the qualifications, certifications, and training of the vendor’s personnel.

o???It includes verifying that staff have the appropriate licenses and endorsements for the tasks they perform and that there is ongoing training and assessment to ensure staff remain competent and up-to-date with current regulations and practices.

• Quality Management System (QMS): The survey evaluates the vendor’s Quality Management System to ensure it complies with EASA Part 145 requirements.

o???This includes assessing the system for monitoring quality, managing risks, and ensuring continuous improvement.

o???It also involves checking for the presence of a quality manual, documented procedures, and records.

• Safety and Compliance Monitoring: This involves evaluating the mechanisms the vendor has in place for safety management and regulatory compliance.

o???It includes assessing safety policies, safety reporting procedures, and how the organization monitors compliance with applicable aviation regulations and standards.

• Maintenance Practices and Procedures: This part of the survey reviews the maintenance procedures and practices followed by the organization.

o???It ensures that maintenance is performed according to approved standards and that there are procedures for the control of maintenance data like manuals, service bulletins, and airworthiness directives.

• Record Keeping and Documentation: This feature focuses on how the vendor maintains records of maintenance activities.

o???It involves evaluating the systems for recording and storing maintenance data, ensuring traceability, and verifying that records are kept for the required duration as per EASA regulations.

• Subcontractor Control: If the vendor outsources any work, this area assesses how subcontractors are managed and controlled.

o???It includes reviewing the process for selecting subcontractors, monitoring their performance, and ensuring they meet the same standards required of the vendor.

• Facility Security and Environmental Compliance: This involves evaluating the security measures at the facility to protect equipment, aircraft, and data.

o???It also assesses the vendor’s compliance with environmental regulations and policies.

• Audit and Surveillance: The survey checks the vendor’s internal audit and surveillance processes to ensure they are adequate for identifying non-compliance issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Customer Feedback and Continuous Improvement: This area reviews how the vendor handles customer feedback and uses it to drive continuous improvement within their organization.
• Technical Capability and Equipment: Evaluation of the technical capabilities, including the types of aircraft and components the vendor is authorized to maintain, as well as the adequacy and maintenance of the equipment used.

Next Steps

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Sofema Aviation Service?www.sassofia.com?and Sofema Online?www.sofemaonline.com?provide multiple EASA and FAA compliant Stores & Logistics Courses -see the applicable website or email?[email protected]