Aerospace Sourcing
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Xometry Alternatives for Aerospace and Defense Parts, Including ITAR Work

Xometry is a strong choice when you want an instant price on a CAD-defined part and it routes work to certified partner shops, including ITAR registered ones for export-controlled jobs. Look at alternatives when the order mixes processes, carries heavy customer flow-downs, includes ground support equipment or obsolete parts, or needs one accountable party who checks the whole cert package before it ships.

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The short answer

Keep using Xometry for fast budget pricing, prototypes and short runs that a model and a clean drawing fully define. Consider an alternative when the job depends on things a quoting engine cannot see: approved processors named in your contract, a source inspection your quality team must attend, a mix of machined, fabricated and purchased items on one purchase order, or controlled data your export team wants handled through a documented process.

There are three realistic alternatives: another instant quote platform, buying direct from an AS9100 shop you qualify yourself, or a sourcing partner like Aerospace Sourcing. Each fits a different kind of order. Statements about named companies below come only from their own public pages, read in October 2026. Programs change, so confirm current terms with each company before you rely on them.

How Xometry works, in its own words

As of October 2026, Xometry describes an Instant Quoting Engine that returns pricing, lead time options and design for manufacturability feedback from an uploaded model. Its aerospace and defense page says it works with thousands of vetted US manufacturing partners and lists CNC milling and turning, wire EDM, several additive processes, sheet and tube fabrication with welding and assembly, injection molding, die casting, stamping and extrusion.

Xometry is the party you buy from. On its certifications page, Xometry states that each shop in its Partner Network operates independently and is responsible for its own certifications, that Xometry vets and verifies partner credentials, and that orders requiring a certification are routed to verified shops holding it.

Flight parts get extra handling. Xometry's guide to quoting flight parts tells buyers to attach the technical drawing and any inspection templates, type "Flight Parts" in the notes, and use the Add Certifications feature for ITAR or EAR, certification and traceability requirements. It says flight, spaceflight and human spaceflight quotes must be checked by its engineering team, and that if a flight part is still auto-quoted the buyer should contact an account representative. The same guide says reviewers look for restrictions on material sourcing, inspection, machining or finishing, such as an approved mills list or Nadcap, and asks buyers to be explicit when an approved supplier is required for finishing or NDT.

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Xometry and ITAR, as Xometry states it

As of October 2026, Xometry states it is ITAR registered and lists CMMC Level 2 and the Joint Certification Program among its registrations. Its flight parts guide says that under ITAR it will only use partners registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Its aerospace and defense page says sensitive flight hardware data is encrypted and handled only by qualified domestic partners, in line with ITAR and DFARS requirements. Xometry's certifications page also reports a Supplier Performance Risk System score of 110 out of 110 as of February 2026.

For a buyer, the practical point is that the export flag is something you set. If the project is controlled, mark it in the quote and keep the drawing's export statement accurate. For anything you are unsure about, ask the platform which registered partner will make the part before you release data. Our controlled programs page explains the questions we ask on our side.

Certifications and paperwork Xometry lists

As of October 2026, Xometry lists AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 and IATF 16949:2016 certificates on its certifications page. Its inspection options page describes six levels: a standard inspection with no documentation shipped, a formal inspection with a dimensional report, a CMM inspection with a dimensional report, a first article inspection report to AS9102, a source inspection at the supplier's premises, and a custom inspection for needs such as NDT, serialization or a custom sampling plan.

That is a useful menu. What it means for you: choose the level on the quote, and for an AS9102 report supply a print with every characteristic you need ballooned. If your contract also calls for a specific certificate of conformance format, raw material certs to a named spec, or DFARS specialty metals compliance, write those into the order rather than assuming a default covers them. Our guides to AS9102 first article inspection and the certificate of conformance list what a complete package contains.

Side by side: Xometry and three alternatives

QuestionXometryFictiv (another instant quote platform)Direct AS9100 shopSourcing partner (Aerospace Sourcing)
How quoting worksInstant quote from a model; flight parts reviewed by its engineering teamStates quotes in minutes with instant pricing and DFM feedbackThe shop's estimator quotes from your RFQ packageA person reviews the request, matches suppliers, then quotes; reply within 1 business day
ITAR and export handling, as statedStates it is ITAR registered and uses only DDTC registered partners for ITAR workStates it only supports aerospace parts for non-export-restricted projectsDepends on the shop's own DDTC registration, which you verifyProgram details first, never data through the website; jurisdiction confirmed, NDA, US person access list, supplier registration checked, secure channel
Certifications statedAS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, CMMC Level 2Network supports AS9100D, ISO 13485, ISO 9001 and Nadcap related processes through certified partnersWhatever the shop holds; check scope in OASISNone held by us; we match to suppliers whose certification fits the part
Process breadthMachining, additive, sheet and tube, molding, casting, stamping, extrusionLists CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, die casting, 3D printing, compression molding and urethane castingUsually one core process plus outside processorsAny mix on one order, including GSE, obsolete parts, surplus material and test lab time
Who is party to your orderXometryFictivThe shopAerospace Sourcing, one purchase order even with several shops
Paperwork deliveredBy inspection level chosen, from none shipped up to AS9102 FAIR and source inspectionStates CoC on production orders, FAIR on production programs, material certs on requestAs your PO requiresCertificate of conformance on every order, plus FAI, material and process certs your request requires, checked before shipment

Fictiv details come from its own aerospace and certified manufacturing pages as of October 2026. Use the table to decide which questions to ask, not as a ranking.

The alternatives, and when each one fits

Another instant quote platform

Fits when the part is uncontrolled and you mainly want a second price or a different lead time. As of October 2026, Protolabs lists ISO 9001:2015, AS9100 and ITAR registration for Protolabs itself and describes its in-house factory CNC machining as ITAR compliant, while its Protolabs Network FAQ says the network is not ITAR certified and points ITAR parts to Protolabs directly. Fictiv states it supports aerospace parts only for non-export-restricted projects. So for a controlled part, the field of instant platforms narrows quickly. Our Protolabs alternatives page covers that company in detail.

A direct AS9100 shop

Fits recurring parts on a long program, parts where you want to walk the floor, and work your customer requires from an approved source on your list. You carry the qualification work: verify the certificate and its scope in the IAQG OASIS database, confirm DDTC registration if the work is ITAR, survey the shop, and manage its outside processors. Our AS9100 vs ISO 9001 guide explains when a non-AS9100 shop is acceptable.

A sourcing partner

Fits orders that are hard to put into a quoting engine: a housing that needs machining, anodize and penetrant inspection with a full FAI; a GSE frame plus the machined fittings that go on it; an obsolete part that has to be found and verified rather than made; or a controlled job your export team wants run through a written process. Our marketplace vs sourcing partner page compares the general models.

What a sourcing partner gives up

  • No instant number. A person reads the drawing and notes first. For a simple uncontrolled bracket, Xometry or another platform will price it faster.
  • Less direct line to the maker. You work through one contact. If you need to approve or visit the shop, say so in the request and we arrange it.
  • No promised coverage. We do not claim a supplier for every job, a set lead time or a set price. If we cannot place the work well, we say so.
  • Your own approvals still apply. If your customer requires approved sources, the maker may need to go on your list whichever route you use.

Checks to run on any vendor before controlled data moves

  1. Confirm jurisdiction and classification with your export team in writing before anyone quotes.
  2. Ask which company will make the part and confirm it is registered with DDTC. Under 22 CFR 122.1, anyone in the US in the business of manufacturing defense articles must register, even if it never exports.
  3. Look up the maker's AS9100 certificate in OASIS and check that the scope covers the process.
  4. Ask how drawing notes, quality clauses and approved processor requirements reach that maker.
  5. Ask who performs the FAI, who signs the certificate of conformance, and who owns corrective action on a reject.
  6. Ask how data is stored and who can see it, and how it is returned or destroyed at closeout.

The aerospace RFQ checklist helps you send the same complete scope to every option so the answers are comparable.

Send the job that does not fit a quoting engine

If your order has customer flow-downs, a controlled program behind it, more than one process, or GSE and obsolete parts mixed in with machined parts, send it through the CNC machining quote form. You get one quote, one point of contact and one purchase order, with your requirements flowed down to every shop and a certificate of conformance on every order. A person replies within 1 business day. For controlled work, send program details only and read our controlled programs and confidentiality pages first. Start at aerospace CNC machining for the wider buying picture.

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Part, quantity and date are enough to start. Drawings and the mutual NDA follow by reply, and controlled programs never send technical data through this site.

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Questions

Is Xometry ITAR registered?

As of October 2026, Xometry states on its certifications page that it is ITAR registered, and its flight parts quoting guide says it only uses partners registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls for ITAR work. Buyers flag controlled projects with the Add Certifications feature when quoting. Registration status can change, so check Xometry's current certifications page and ask which registered partner will make your part before you release controlled drawings.

What are the best Xometry alternatives for ITAR parts?

It depends on the order. Among instant quote platforms, Protolabs states its in-house factories are ITAR registered while its Protolabs Network is not, and Fictiv states it supports aerospace parts only for non-export-restricted projects. Outside platforms, you can buy direct from a DDTC registered AS9100 shop you qualify yourself, or use a sourcing partner that runs controlled work through a written process with supplier registration checks and a US person access list.

Does Xometry provide AS9102 first article inspection reports?

Yes, as of October 2026 Xometry lists a first article inspection report to AS9102 as one of its inspection options, along with dimensional reports, CMM inspection, source inspection at the supplier's premises and custom inspection. You choose the level on the quote and supply a print with the characteristics you need. If your contract adds a specific certificate of conformance format or material cert requirements, write them into the order.

When is buying direct from an AS9100 shop better than a marketplace?

Buying direct usually fits recurring parts on a long program, work your customer requires from an approved source on your list, and jobs where you want to audit the floor and know the people running the part. The cost is your time: finding the shop, checking its AS9100 scope in OASIS and its DDTC registration, surveying it, and managing its outside processors yourself.

Can Aerospace Sourcing beat Xometry on price?

We do not claim to. Xometry's instant quote is built for speed on CAD-defined parts, and for a simple uncontrolled part it is often the quickest route. We fit orders where the value is in coordination: several processes, heavy flow-downs, controlled programs, GSE or obsolete parts on the same order, and a checked cert package. Compare total cost, including the time your team spends managing suppliers and paperwork.

Do I have to send drawings to get a quote for a controlled part?

Not through our website. For ITAR, EAR or CUI work you submit program details only. Before any technical data moves we confirm jurisdiction with your team in writing, sign the NDA, record a US person access list, check each supplier's DDTC registration or other authorization, issue flow-downs and agree a secure channel your security team approves. The controlled programs page describes each step.

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