Wexmar provides DFARS specialty metals compliant machining for defense prime contractors, subcontractors, and government buyers. When a contract invokes DFARS 252.225-7009, we source specialty metals from compliant melt sources, keep the mill certifications and heat-lot records with the job, and machine the parts on our own floor in Canastota, New York. Buyers looking for a DFARS specialty metals machine shop or DFARS compliant material in machined parts can work directly with Wexmar, a U.S. small business with made-in-USA production.
What the DFARS specialty metals clause requires
DFARS 252.225-7009, Restriction on Acquisition of Certain Articles Containing Specialty Metals, generally requires that specialty metals incorporated into items delivered to the Department of Defense be melted or produced in the United States or a qualifying country, subject to the exceptions in the clause. Specialty metals under the clause include certain steels with defined alloying content, which covers many stainless and alloy steels, as well as nickel-based and cobalt-based alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, and zirconium. Because compliance depends on where the metal was melted, the records that prove it start at the mill.
When a buyer needs DFARS compliant machining
- Subcontracts from defense primes that flow down DFARS 252.225-7009
- Direct government build-to-print orders for machined parts in specialty metals
- Spare and replacement parts for defense equipment
- Programs that require documented melt source and heat-lot traceability
- Buyers who need Buy American compliant, made-in-USA machined components
How Wexmar controls DFARS material
- Review. Contract and purchase order clauses are reviewed at quoting so DFARS requirements are identified before material is ordered.
- Sourcing. Specialty metals are purchased with a DFARS-compliant requirement stated on our purchase order to the material supplier.
- Certification. Mill certifications showing chemistry, heat number, and melt source are verified on receipt.
- Traceability. Heat numbers are carried through sawing, machining, outside processing, and inspection, and recorded on the job router.
- Segregation. Compliant material is identified and kept with its job so it is not mixed with non-compliant stock.
Typical materials covered
| Material family | Examples we machine | DFARS specialty metal? |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | 303, 304, 316, 416, 17-4 PH, Nitronic 50 | Typically yes |
| Alloy steel | 4140, 4340, 8620 | Depends on alloy content; reviewed per grade |
| Nickel alloys | Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy | Yes |
| Titanium | Commercially pure and alloyed grades | Yes |
| Carbon steel | 1018, 1045, 12L14 | Generally not, unless alloy limits are exceeded |
| Aluminum, brass, bronze, copper | 6061, 7075, C360, bearing bronzes | Not specialty metals under the clause |
This table is a general guide. Applicability depends on the exact grade, the contract, and any exceptions, and your contracting officer or prime's requirements control.
Wexmar machines
DFARS parts run on the same equipment as all our work: ten CNC lathes (Mazak Nexus QT200 x2, Nexus 250, Nexus 100-II, 200 MS, Multiplex 6300Y, Nexus 450-II, Doosan Lynx 2100A x2, Boss 552) with live tooling and Y-axis, four Maier MLK-32 Swiss machines with FMB bar feeders for parts to 32 mm, and six Mazak horizontal machining centers with pallet changers. Typical capability is ±0.001 inch on turned diameters, ±0.0005 inch on Swiss diameters, and ±0.005 inch on general milled dimensions, with tighter values by review and 63 Ra standard finishes. See our machine list.
Government contracting details
Wexmar (Backwell MFG LLC d/b/a Wexmar) is registered and active in SAM.gov under CAGE 16AD7, NAICS 332710 and 332721, and invoices through WAWF/PIEE. We have a DD Form 2345 application on file. Our quality system is ISO 9001:2015-aligned. More detail is on our government and defense machining page.
Outside processing and DFARS
Traceability does not stop when a part leaves for heat treat or passivation. Heat numbers travel with the parts to qualified outside processors that Wexmar manages, processor certifications are matched to the lot on return, and the full record stays with the job so your certificate of conformance is supported from mill to shipment.
Quantity fit
DFARS compliant machining at Wexmar ranges from single spare parts to production quantities on multi-year orders. For small quantities of specialty alloys, compliant material availability can affect lead time, and we state that on the quote.
Inspection deliverables
Deliverables include mill certifications with melt source, heat-lot traceability, certificates of conformance, CMM reports from our Brown & Sharpe CMMs, AS9102-format first articles, and outside processor certifications. See first article inspection.
Getting a quote
Include the contract or purchase order clauses with your drawing so DFARS requirements are priced from the start. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.