More on NAICS Codes

Mr. Bail has hit on a key issue that should be considered when utilizing the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) webpage (see "Improper Assignment of NAICS on Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Solicitations May be Hurting Small Businesses," Aviation Maintenance, April 2009, page 12).

However, the problems run much deeper than utilizing NAICS codes when searching for opportunities. It is not uncommon for the Family Stock Code (FSC) and the NAICS to be incorrect.

For example, a solicitation for Contractor Logistics Services several years ago listed the FSC under education and training and the NAICS code for fabric manufacturing. Anyone interested in using the site should set up search agents using key words.

For example, for engine overhaul business set up agents for "Pratt & Whitney," "PWC," or "PT6." In addition, misspelling on the solicitation is common. For example auxiliary may be spelled auxilliary. The downside to this is managing the system. Those three separate agents may all return the same hit or maybe only one agent will return a hit. With upwards of 100 search agents running, I had over 1,300 notifiers in my e-mail last month.

Eric Green

Field Engineering Associate

Howell Instruments

Fort Worth, Texas

Counterfeit No More

Perhaps the answer to the person who wrote about parts counterfeiting (see "New Technology Could Protect Against Parts Counterfeiting," January 2009 AM, page 8 and Feedback, April 2009 AM, page 6) would be to stop all imported parts, especially bolts, nuts, lockwashers etc., and verify that suppliers such as our company will only supply parts made in the U.S. by a reputable domestic manufacturer.

Imported fasteners have caused a downfall in our industry since they first started coming in [during] the 1950s. We should close our borders, make everything here and teach the people growing up that it is acceptable if you do a job where you get your hands dirty.

Fred Moehring

Owner

Fred Moehring, Inc.

Self-Respect

I just read Howie Fuller’s "Respect" piece (see February 2009 AM, page 40.) I’ve been an A&P for 35 years and have heard the respect subject brought up numerous times. The last paragraph in Howie’s article states, "if you have been educated as a professional, act like a professional, look like a professional."

I believe us A&Ps have been our own worst enemies at times in the way we represent our profession. We can’t wait for someone or some organization to do this for us, it all starts with us. One additional thought: Why is a pilot licensed and a mechanic certificated? We could drag out the Webster’s dictionary and debate the two definitions, however the term license seems to carry more credibility.

Larry P. Studer

Maintenance Manager

Sears Holdings

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