What is DFARS?

DFARS stands for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. When it is included as part of a purchase order it invokes the Berry Amendment, also known as the “Preference for domestic specialty metals.” It requires that the material used in the manufacture of fasteners in the United States be melted in the United States or a qualifying country. At the present time this is only applicable to PEM® products manufactured with stainless steel.

When is DFARS compliance required?

It is required when your customer requires it of you.

DFARS website

DFARS and PEM® Products

DFARS is not applicable to PEM® fastener types presently manufactured from steel, aluminum, brass and phosphor bronze. This includes, but is not limited to the following PEM® fastener types.

AS, B, BSO, BSOA, CFHA, CHA, CLA, DSO, F10, FH, FHA, FHL, H, HFE, HFH, HFHB, HNL, KF2, KFB3, KFE, KFH, LK, LKA, N10, PFHV, PL, RAA, S, SCB, SF, SK, SL, SMTSO, SO, SOA, SOAG, SS, SSA, SSS, TFH, TSO, TSOA, WN

The raw material that was used to manufacture these parts was melted in the USA or a qualifying country and complies with applicable sections of DFARS 252.225

M45938/4, M45938/7, M45938/11C, M45938/1C and M63540/1C.

When ordering a stainless steel, PEM fastener type not listed above, a “D” must be added to the basic part number to ensure that the product will meet the DFARS requirement. For example, a CLS-832-2-D designates the DFARS compliant version of the standard PEM type CLS-832-2.

For any DFARS questions relating to PennEngineering products, please click here.