Re: GE Aerospace Audit
<SNIP>
For the most part, OEMs that support the IAQG ICOP Scheme would perform process and product related audits of suppliers and "trust" the QMS certtificate, UNLESS they have reasons to believe that the certified system is not up to standard and they want to validate not only the supplier QMS but also the certificate itself.
Some OEM's (e.g. Boeing) perform validation audits of certified suppliers to ensure that, indeed, a supplier has "certifiable" system. Another way of performing oversight of the registrars involved in the ICOP Scheme.
But, if I were you, I would try to clarify the scope of the upcoming audit and, if, indeed, they will be performing a QMS audit, you should ask why they don't rely on your AS9100 certificate for that. It would be a fair question to ask.
I presume this audit is part of GE's approval process BEFORE they consider whether to give you an order. If you are already shipping product, SOMEBODY in your organization has a pretty good idea why they are coming.
Here's the deal:
it costs money to send an audit team, so OEMs don't spend money to perform a redundant audit (e.g. if you've already been audited by competent, respected 3rd party to get registered) UNLESS they are suspicious (of the company or the 3rd party auditor) or there is some aspect of the production system they want/need assurance about before committing to either a first order or a new order for a particularly critical product.
You don't indicate where you are on the totem pole in your organization, but big OEMs, like GE, are big sticklers for "chain of command" and do not look kindly on organizations or individuals who try to leapfrog the chain, so be judicious in getting an answer from GE, especially since someone in your organization may already know.
Internally, you can couch the question thus:
"Does anyone in our organization know exactly why GE is auditing us? Will they be looking at the same stuff the AS guys looked at or are they more interested in process capability and capacity?"
Regardless, Sidney's advice is sound - ASK!
(and keep asking until you get the answer provided by the decision maker - GE, not us lowly Cove denizens.)