BUSINESS SERVICE
FAA DER-Led Certification, Compliance, and Program Support
SBA HUBZone and 8(a) Certified | Supporting Federal Programs from Concept Through Certification
What Government Aviation Services Does Martin Solutions Provide?
Martin Solutions (MTEC) is an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) firm providing aviation certification, compliance, and program management services to federal government clients. As an SBA HUBZone and 8(a) Certified firm and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), MTEC brings both specialized regulatory authority and preferred procurement status to federal programs. Services span FAA certification management, UAS program support, organizational compliance development, Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, and foreign validation engagement.
Contact @ (315) 208-4077 | jose.martin@mtec.aero
Where Regulatory Authority Meets Government Procurement Advantage
Federal aviation programs operate under a uniquely demanding set of constraints. The technical requirements are FAA-governed and unforgiving. The procurement requirements are federally regulated and preference-driven. And the timeline pressures — tied to program milestones, funding cycles, and operational requirements leave no room for a certification consultant who is learning on the job.
Martin Solutions (MTEC) is structured to serve federal clients from both sides of that equation. Our team is led by Jose Martin, an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) with Management DER authority meaning we do not just advise on certification, we hold the direct FAA authority to approve engineering data, manage certification programs, and coordinate with FAA offices on your behalf. That is a capability most government aviation contractors cannot offer.
We are also SBA HUBZone Certified, SBA 8(a) Certified, and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications that provide procurement advantages for federal contracting officers and prime contractors seeking to meet socioeconomic requirements under FAA, DoD, DoT, and other agency programs.
We have sat on both sides of government aviation programs as the authority reviewing certification submissions and as the consultant building them. That experience is the difference between a program that moves and one that stalls.
Certification | Issuing Authority | Federal Program Relevance |
|---|---|---|
SBA HUBZone Certified | U.S. Small Business Administration | Qualifies MTEC as a HUBZone small business for set-aside contracts, sole-source awards up to applicable thresholds, and price evaluation preferences under FAR 19.13 |
SBA 8(a) Certified | U.S. Small Business Administration | Authorizes sole-source and competitive set-aside contracting under the 8(a) Business Development Program; no competitive requirement for contracts below applicable thresholds |
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) | USDOT / State DOTs | Satisfies DBE participation requirements for federally funded transportation and aviation programs under 49 CFR Part 26, including FAA Airport Improvement Program grants |
Minority-Owned Business | Self-Certified | Supports diversity contracting goals and subcontractor diversity requirements under FAA, DoD, and DoT programs |
Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business | Self-Certified | Supports small disadvantaged business participation goals in federal contracting programs |
Federal Procurement Credentials
Martin Solutions’ socioeconomic certifications provide contracting officers and prime contractors with measurable procurement advantages not just compliance checkboxes.
DUNS: 118193324 CAGE Code: 9EKV3 UEI: KD55MNEHR7N6 Primary NAICS: 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services)
Government Aviation Services - What Martin Solutions Delivers
UAS and Advanced Air Mobility -Specialized Certification Authority
Martin Solutions holds Management DER authority specifically authorized for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) projects under 14 CFR 21.17(b) the certification pathway for UAS and other novel aircraft categories that do not fit existing Part 23 or Part 27 standards.
This is a specialized authorization that few DER firms hold. For drone manufacturers, eVTOL developers, and advanced air mobility companies navigating non-standard certification bases, Martin Solutions brings both the regulatory authority and the technical depth your program requires.
Authorized regulations include 14 CFR Part 23 (Fixed Wing) and Part 27 (Rotorcraft) structures, with UAS-specific certification basis management under 21.17(b).
FAA Certification Program Management for Government Programs
Federal aviation programs from DoD UAS acquisition to FAA research and development initiatives require the same rigorous certification management as commercial programs, with the added complexity of government contracting requirements, interagency coordination, and program documentation standards. Martin Solutions manages the full FAA certification program on behalf of government clients.
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Certification basis development — establishing the applicable airworthiness standards for your program under 14 CFR Part 21, Part 23, Part 27, or 14 CFR 21.17(b) for UAS and novel categories
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Certification plan preparation — structuring the compliance program, milestones, and documentation framework the FAA expects from a well-managed certification applicant
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DER-direct engineering approval — Jose Martin’s active Management DER authority allows engineering data to be approved at the DER level, reducing FAA review queue time and program schedule risk
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FAA liaison and technical communication — single point of contact with FAA Aircraft Certification Offices (ACOs), managing all technical feedback, comment responses, and milestone coordination
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Flight test permit support — documentation and FAA coordination for experimental flight test authorizations on government-funded prototype and development programs
UAS and Unmanned Systems Program Support
Martin Solutions holds one of the most specialized authorizations available in FAA DER practice: Management DER authority for unmanned aircraft system programs with a 14 CFR 21.17(b) certification basis. This directly addresses the primary technical challenge facing government UAS programs — that existing FAA airworthiness standards were written for manned aircraft, and UAS programs must navigate a certification basis that does not yet exist in final form.
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14 CFR 21.17(b) certification basis management — the specific regulatory pathway for UAS programs that cannot comply with existing Part 23 or Part 27 standards; MTEC holds Management DER authority for these programs
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Operational risk assessment — structured risk assessment for UAS operations in government programs, aligned with FAA operational risk assessment frameworks and applicable JARUS SORA methodology
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Type Certificate programs — full TC program management for government UAS acquisition programs requiring FAA airworthiness approval of the unmanned aircraft design
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Waiver and exemption strategy — identification and pursuit of Part 107 waivers, Section 44807 exemptions, and other regulatory flexibility mechanisms for government UAS operations that cannot meet standard requirements
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eVTOL and advanced air mobility — airworthiness and operational standards development for government programs involving electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, including propulsive electrical systems and hydrogen fuel cell integration
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Management Systems
The FAA’s increasing emphasis on formal Safety Management Systems (SMS) affects government aviation programs as well as commercial operators. Whether your program is a design approval holder, production approval holder, or air carrier, Martin Solutions develops and implements SMS programs to FAA and ICAO standards.
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SMS manual development — complete Safety Management System manual structured to ICAO Annex 19 and FAA AC 120-92 requirements, tailored to your program’s specific FAA approval type
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SMS training implementation — training for safety officers, quality assurance staff, and program management personnel with SMS accountability
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Independent SMS audits — third-party safety management system audits to assess compliance, identify gaps, and prepare your organization for FAA safety oversight inspection
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Audit and Safety Management System consulting — ongoing advisory support for government aviation organizations managing compliance with evolving FAA safety oversight requirements
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Environmental testing compliance — guidance on DO-160 environmental testing requirements for avionics and equipment used in government aviation programs
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Flammability testing — compliance support for FAA flammability standards applicable to aircraft materials and components in government-funded development programs
Organizational Development for Design and Production Approval
Government aviation programs that involve original equipment manufacture, aircraft modification, or production require FAA-approved organizational structures — Design Organization Approval, Production Approval, or the organizational infrastructure to support a DER-approved certification program. Martin Solutions builds that infrastructure.
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Organizational requirements definition — establishing the compliance structure your organization must have before the FAA will accept certification submissions from your program
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Roles and responsibilities documentation — defining the accountabilities that your DER, compliance engineers, and program management team must fulfil under FAA requirements
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Processes and procedures development — engineering, quality, and configuration management processes for a compliant design and production organization
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Key personnel recruiting support — identifying and evaluating candidates for DER, quality, and compliance roles for government programs requiring FAA-credentialed staff
Foreign Validation and International Authority Engagement
Government programs with international partners, foreign military sales (FMS) components, or allied-nation deployment requirements frequently require validation of FAA certificates by foreign Civil Aviation Authorities. Martin Solutions manages this process directly not through intermediary firms — with relationships across the world’s major aviation authorities.
Services delivered in English, French, and Spanish — a capability that directly supports government programs with French-speaking EASA or TCCA counterparts and Spanish-speaking ANAC staff and partner agencies.
Authority | Relevance to Government Programs |
|---|---|
EASA (Europe) | European Aviation Safety Agency - relevant to NATO partner programs, allied-nation UAS deployments, and government aircraft exported or operated in EU airspace |
TCCA (Canada) | Transport Canada Civil Aviation - relevant to joint Canada-US government programs, NORAD-related aviation, and aircraft operated by Canadian government or military partners |
ANAC (Brazil) | Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil - relevant to US government programs with Brazilian defense or civil aviation partnerships and South American deployment requirements |
HKCAD, JCAB, others | Hong Kong, Japan, and other bilateral authority validations for government programs with Indo-Pacific partner engagements |
ICAO / JARUS | Martin Solutions monitors ICAO and JARUS policy developments relevant to international UAS operations and provides regulatory tracking for government programs affected by emerging international standards |
FREE CONSULTATION
Working on a Government Aviation Program? Start With a Free Consultation.
Book a 30-minute session with Jose Martin, FAA Designated Engineering Representative.
We will assess your program’s certification requirements, identify the most efficient regulatory pathway, and give you a clear view of how Martin Solutions’ DER authority and government contracting credentials can accelerate your program.
Contact Us @ (315) 208-4077 | jose.martin@mtec.aero
Aviation Design, Engineering, and Structural Analysis
Certification programs require engineering deliverables, not just certification management. Martin Solutions provides direct engineering support within the scope of our authorized regulations, with the DER authority to approve that engineering for FAA submission.
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Structural analysis and testing — 14 CFR Part 23 (Fixed Wing) and Part 27 (Rotorcraft) structural analysis and DER-approved engineering data for government aviation programs
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Design and engineering for modifications — engineering support for aircraft modifications, equipment installations, and system integration projects requiring DER-approved data
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3D scanning — precision 3D scanning for Part Manufacturing Approval (PMA) programs, reverse engineering, and dimensional conformity verification on government legacy aircraft and components
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Materials and process compliance — materials and process specification review and compliance support for FAA-regulated aviation programs
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System engineering expertise — integration of certification requirements into systems engineering processes from the earliest program phases, reducing rework at design maturity milestones
Regulatory Strategy and Government Program Advisory
Government program offices and prime contractors benefit from regulatory advisory support that goes beyond individual certification tasks. Martin Solutions provides ongoing regulatory strategy — monitoring standards development organizations, tracking authority working groups, and advising on how regulatory changes affect program timelines and compliance requirements.
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Regulatory pathway optimization — identification of the most efficient certification basis and approval pathway for government UAS acquisition programs, eVTOL development initiatives, and conventional aircraft modification programs
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International SDO monitoring — coverage of EUROCAE, RTCA, ASTM, and other Standards Development Organizations for regulatory changes affecting government program certification requirements
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ICAO and JARUS tracking — ongoing monitoring of international aviation policy developments relevant to government programs with international partner requirements
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Regulatory due diligence for M&A — assessment of certification status, compliance gaps, and pending FAA actions for aerospace acquisition targets relevant to government program consolidation
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Advisory board engagement — formal advisory board membership for government program offices and prime contractors requiring sustained regulatory counsel across multiple program phases
WHY MARTIN SOLUTIONS
For Government Aviation Programs
The difference between a government aviation consultant and a government aviation firm with direct regulatory authority is measured in months of schedule and hundreds of thousands of dollars in avoidable rework. The distinction matters most when a program is already behind.
What sets MTEC apart | Why it matters for your government program |
|---|---|
FAA Management DER Authority | Jose Martin holds active Management DER authority not a consultant working through a DER, but a DER directly. This means engineering data approved at the DER level, faster program milestones, and no intermediary markup on DER functions. |
UAS 21.17(b) Authorization | Authorized to manage UAS certification programs under 14 CFR 21.17(b) — the specific pathway for unmanned systems and novel aircraft that cannot comply with existing Part 23 or Part 27 standards. Critical for DoD and federal UAS acquisition programs. |
SBA HUBZone & 8(a) Certified | Provides contracting officers with set-aside eligibility, sole-source authority below applicable thresholds, and price evaluation preferences reducing procurement process burden while meeting socioeconomic program goals. |
Government Insider Experience | Jose Martin served as a Transport Canada chief engineer, managing TCCA RPAS task force R&D and certifying hundreds of aircraft modifications as certification manager of the Quebec airworthiness regional office. The team understands government aviation programs from the inside. |
DBE Status for Federally Funded Programs | MTEC’s DBE certification satisfies participation requirements under 49 CFR Part 26 for FAA Airport Improvement Program grants and other federally funded transportation and aviation programs. |
Multilingual, Global Reach | Services in English, French, and Spanish. Direct working relationships with EASA, TCCA, ANAC, and other international authorities without intermediary agencies for government programs with allied-nation or international partner requirements. |
Expert level of knowledge from day one. We save time and gain confidence operating in a very complex regulatory aviation environment.
Alec Wilson, COO, Spexi Geospatial
Excellent knowledge in a variety of technical disciplines including structures, avionics, and aircraft certification. Expertise was provided in several groundbreaking initiatives. Highly recommended for any work related to aircraft worthiness.
Enzo Diodati, RPAS Task Force Engineer, Transport Canada
The contributions, report writing, insightful feedback, and communication with the FAA greatly benefited our entire team. Highly recommended.
Brennan Scheffler, Sr. Mechanical/Aerospace & Flight Test Engineer, American Aerospace Technologies
What Industry Professionals Say About Martin Solutions
Strategic Research Partnership
Advanced Virtual Engineering & Testing Lab at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), Wichita State University. This partnership extends MTEC’s technical depth into advanced simulation, structural testing, and research-grade engineering capabilities — directly relevant to government-funded aviation research and development programs requiring both regulatory expertise and research institution access.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Government Aviation Services
Martin Solutions (MTEC) is SBA HUBZone Certified, SBA 8(a) Certified, and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). MTEC is also a Minority-Owned Business and Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business. These certifications provide federal contracting officers and prime contractors with set-aside eligibility, sole-source contracting authority below applicable thresholds, price evaluation preferences, and DBE participation credit for federally funded transportation and aviation programs.
A Management Designated Engineering Representative (Management DER) is authorized by the FAA not only to approve engineering data, but to establish the certification project framework — defining the certification basis, managing the DER team, and creating the compliance roadmap. For government programs, this means Martin Solutions can approve engineering data directly at the DER level without routing approvals through third-party DERs, removing a significant source of schedule delay and cost.
Yes. Martin Solutions holds Management DER authority specifically authorized for UAS programs with a 14 CFR 21.17(b) certification basis — the FAA pathway for unmanned aircraft systems that cannot comply with existing Part 23 or Part 27 standards. This is one of the most specialized FAA authorizations in the DER community and is directly relevant to DoD and federal agency UAS acquisition programs requiring FAA airworthiness approval. MTEC has worked with UAS manufacturers and government programs from operational waivers and exemptions through full Type Certification.
The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program authorizes federal agencies to award sole-source contracts to 8(a)-certified firms below applicable dollar thresholds, and to set aside competitive procurements for 8(a) firms above those thresholds. Working with Martin Solutions as an 8(a) contractor simplifies the procurement process for contracting officers managing programs where the agency has 8(a) set-aside authority or where meeting small disadvantaged business goals is a program requirement.
Yes. Jose Martin, CEO and Founder, served as a Transport Canada chief engineer and as certification manager of the Quebec airworthiness regional office, where he certified and validated hundreds of aircraft modifications. He organized Transport Canada’s RPAS task force R&D program in collaboration with the Canadian Research Council, the FAA, and the FAA Assure Program. This government aviation background — combined with active working relationships with EASA, TCCA, and ANAC — makes Martin Solutions directly relevant to government programs with Canadian, European, or other international partner requirements.
A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) is a certification issued under the USDOT’s DBE program (49 CFR Part 26) to firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. DBE participation requirements apply to federally funded transportation and aviation programs, including FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants. Working with MTEC satisfies DBE subcontractor participation requirements for prime contractors managing federally funded aviation programs.
Martin Solutions provides services in English, French, and Spanish. This capability directly supports government programs with French-speaking EASA or TCCA counterparts, Spanish-speaking ANAC staff and Latin American partner agencies, and international government clients or allied-nation program partners operating in languages other than English.
Yes. Martin Solutions works as both a direct contractor to federal government agencies and as a subcontractor to prime contractors managing government aviation programs. Our SBA HUBZone and 8(a) certifications create specific contracting vehicles for direct agency engagement. Our technical capabilities — particularly Management DER authority and UAS 21.17(b) authorization — make us a high-value subcontractor for prime contractors whose government programs require specialized FAA regulatory expertise they do not hold in-house.
Certification Program
Start Your Government Aviation Engagement
Government aviation programs move on fixed timelines tied to funding cycles, operational requirements, and program milestones. The regulatory decisions made at the start of a program how the certification basis is defined, which approval pathway is pursued, how the FAA relationship is managed from day one determine whether the program proceeds on schedule or accumulates delays that compound into years.
Martin Solutions offers a free 30-minute consultation with Jose Martin, FAA Designated Engineering Representative. In that session, we will assess your program’s current status, identify your certification pathway, and give you an honest view of the technical and regulatory challenges ahead along with how Martin Solutions’ DER authority, government certifications, and international experience can accelerate your program.
Call or WhatsApp: (315) 208-4077 | Email: jose.martin@mtec.aero
Martin Solutions (MTEC) | Upstate New York | Services in English, French & Spanish
SBA HUBZone Certified | DBE Certified | FAA DER Authorized