Thanks so much for all of the comments, some I agree with and some I don't but isn't that great about living in America, the ability to have that freedom instead of always following the path of least resistance. While I agree at this point, that in the past the company did little to work with the Calibration houses locally to reduce costs, realistically there are so few of them here, the options are limited with reducing costs.
For 90% of the calibration that is done on over 350 pieces of measurement equipment, I already have just two sources. My question was really based on the fact that out of the 350 pcs. of equipment, at least 250 pcs. are the handheld calipers, micrometers, drop indicators, etc. that I felt the cost savings could be made by performing the calibration internally. For vision systems, optical comparators, surface plates, temperature and vacuum gages to mention a few, my intent was to continue using an outside source.
We work in a clean room environment which is temperature and humidity controlled so that aspect of the calibration process would not be an issue. Having a database that holds the records, documents the next calibration due date, and actually has the capability as well of printing out a calibration certificate, I believe would cover me on that part of the puzzle.
Having master gage blocks traceable to NIST that would not be used for any other purpose except for performing calibrations should cover the traceable to an approved national standard.
I think the part I am lacking would be the actual how-to, at what frequency, to what increment I believe would be the last part. I previously worked at a facility where 98% of their calibration was done in house and I was instrumental to getting them ISO certified so I know it must be acceptable.
Where does one go for the how - to's ??? I think having a competent employee here capable to perform this as part of their job function is in place, I just need to be able to furnish them with workable procedures.
Thanks again for everyone's input!