How Grit and Dedication Changed a Company’s Fortune in Two Months

Reynaldo Zapata, Founder and CEO of Qualitech-Aerospace Corp. in Long Island, NY, leads a 5-person business dedicated to advanced parts manufacturing and engineering throughout the US.

Qualitech needed to be cyber secure for the DoD and Northrop Grumman—quickly. The Cybersecurity team at the Manufacturing and Technology Enterprise Center (MTEC) made sure Rey got there. MTEC, part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), helps small manufacturers with many tailor-made services they don’t typically have the resources to secure. Within two months of engaging with MTEC, Qualitech won its first $100,000 Northrop contract. Rey outcompeted some of his former employers and associates, recouping his investment several times over.

After a slow adoption period, DoD contractors are now required to be compliant—and eventually certified—within the next five years. Companies that don’t meet cybersecurity requirements will no longer be eligible for direct or indirect DoD contracts. The implications are real: protecting sensitive government data against cyberattacks is now a national security concern.

Fortunately for Qualitech, they received a NYS Cybersecurity Assistance Grant in September 2020 through the Advanced Institute for Manufacturing, part of the NY MEP System. The grant helps small manufacturers secure DoD contracts. It was during this project that MTEC’s team—including Ian Wustrau (Cybersecurity Specialist), Erin Fanning (Cybersecurity Analyst), and another staff member—met Rey for the first time, visibly anxious and confused about what was being asked of him.

The team’s first recommendation was to ask the prime client for a compliance extension, which resulted in a three-week grace period. MTEC immediately assessed all of Qualitech’s cybersecurity risks, following the DoD’s strictest guidelines. They fixed a subset of failed controls and provided compliance timelines. They also helped Rey, who had only a part-time IT person, understand the full scope of the requirements. There were no shortcuts.

Three weeks later, after dozens of calls, questions, and training sessions, Rey submitted the required documentation. Qualitech was approved to submit DoD contract bids.

Then, in late November, Rey called MTEC to share the good news. He said he had just won his first Northrop contract, expressed how happy he was, and thanked the team, adding how much he appreciated everyone’s help.

MTEC celebrated alongside him. Rey shared plans to hire 2–4 new staff, run two idle machines from 2020, invest over $100K in new equipment, and ultimately build up to 6–7 figure contracts. He also plans to re-engage MTEC for additional cybersecurity remediations.

As Qualitech continues to grow, they may also seek support for scaling, continuous improvement, training, and other needs. While MTEC serves the Hudson Valley, the Manufacturing & Technology Resource Consortium (MTRC) is the MEP center for Long Island and will continue to support Qualitech locally. MTEC and MTRC collaborate regularly to provide the highest quality support to NYS manufacturers.

The MTEC Cybersecurity Team enjoyed working with Rey and his team, noting their strong work ethic and commitment to high-quality client service.