USBid Review Process For Approved Vendors

Product purchased from reliable sources with the appropriate procedures and proper accreditations are important aspects to consider when selecting a supplier.

USBid reviews all vendors prior to any purchases using criteria that includes technical, financial, and business data to initially assess the risk of conducting transactions with a company. Once a supplier is selected this evaluation is augmented with ongoing analysis of their performance based on a scoring system based on measurable data.


Vendor Review Criteria

SAE International has developed a standard for evaluating distributors of electronic components called, ARP6178 – Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Tool for Risk Assessment of Distributors. This recommended practice was created due to a significant and increasing volume of counterfeit electronic parts entering the aerospace supply chain. It is intended to provide organizations with a tool to assess a supplier's capability to prevent, detect and report suspect or confirmed counterfeit electronic components and related substandard or fake military parts.

SAE Vendor Evaluation Categories

The following SAE specified categories are used by USBid to review all vendors:

1.) Inspection and Test Procedures
2.) Supplier Quality and Purchasing Practices
3.) In-House Test Capability
4.) Pre-Assessment Checks
5.) Handling of Suspect Material
6.) Training
7.) Memberships and Usage
8.) QMS (Quality Management System)
9.) Handling and Facilities
10.) Warranty and Insurance

Quantitative metrics are kept based on these criteria and suppliers are given a score from 0 - 100 based on their performance. USBid reviews vendor performance monthly and approved vendors produce the highest scores and receive preferential status during the purchasing process as a result.

About USBid

USBid Inc is an independent distributor of electronic components located in Palm Bay, Florida, USA. Since 1998, we have been helping customers locate and purchase hard-to-find and long lead time components. We are AS9120:2009 and ISO 9001:2008 certified. USBid.com understands that sourcing parts in the "open market" is challenging. That's why we conduct counterfeit detection tests on every order and offer die authenticity analysis and functional testing to manufacturer datasheet specifications.

Fraud Mitigation Recommendations for Electronic Components

USBid increasingly hears words like , “fake”, “scam” and “fraud” from buyers of electronic components concerned about counterfeit parts – probably more so than ever before. SAE International has developed a standard, “AS6081, Counterfeit Electronic Parts Avoidance - Distributors”, which contains prescriptive counterfeit avoidance requirements for all distributors. Fraud is not always preventable but it can be mitigated.

Fraud Mitigation Starts with a Counterfeit Avoidance Program

The AS6081 Standard applies to all distributors and sets forth practices and requirements for electronic components purchased and sold on the Open Market. It includes provisions for purchased excess and returned products, and the requirements are intended to be flowed down through the supply chain to all organizations that purchase electronic parts – that includes the supplier of the supplier’s supplier if applicable. Supply chain traceability records should ideally go back to the OCM (Original Component Manufacturer) or Aftermarket supplier and should be available for customer review. If traceability is incomplete of unavailable, customer approval is required.

“How do I avoid a rip-off scam?”

USBid, Inc has observed that fraud can occur when surface testing epoxy plastic packages is done improperly or omitted entirely from the inspection process. We recommend using distributors compliant with AS6081 standards that include thorough visual inspection of the product combined with chemical and die authenticity tests to help verify the product in question. For more information regarding this topic, go to the USBid website.

New Blog from USBid, Inc.

Welcome to the Counterfeit Avoidance Blog. Our goal is to prevent the spread of counterfeit electronic parts into the general marketplace. We will offer tips on detecting counterfeit (fake) electronic parts as well as advice on how to avoid these parts entirely.

The prevalence of counterfeit parts in today’s marketplace requires total vigilance by all parties involved in the electronic components supply chain. This is especially true for military parts and space related applications where more rigorous standards are required.

We will provide photos and information on a variety of components, including fake military parts as well as authentic product and show you techniques to help you avoid a scam or fraud. The posts will come out periodically and we very much want to hear from you on this topic.

The blog is hosted by USBid, Inc. (http://www.usbid.com). We sell hard-to-find, allocated, and obsolete semiconductors and electronic parts. Our catalogs include more than 50 million SKUs from more than 1000 OEMs and Distributors in +200 countries. Our extensive network of suppliers and inventory allow us to solve difficult sourcing problems for our customers that others can't. We have offices in the US and Hong Kong.