• Diminishing manufacturing sources, and in some cases no source , (i.e., MIL-STD, ceramic, rad hard) • Lower cost of COTS components • Rapid design capability • Smaller volume • Greater functionality of COTS components • Greater availability of COTS part types • Greater design flexibility • Produced to meet stringent requirements on high volume production lines using statistically controlled processes • Include the latest technology • Can exhibit higher reliability than low volume production parts