Northern District of New York

Sep 23, 2023

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Amphenol Corporation (Amphenol) has agreed to pay the United States $18 million dollars to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for electrical connectors to the United States government when Amphenol sold electrical connectors that failed to fully comply with applicable government regulations and contract specifications, due to Amphenol’s failure to meet required testing standards and other manufacturing and program requirements.

The U.S. military and government buys tanks, fighter jets, rockets, missiles, and other equipment and weapon systems containing electrical connectors manufactured by Amphenol, and also purchases electrical connectors from Amphenol to use as replacement parts in weapon systems and equipment. Government contracts and regulations calling for the use of Military Specification (MIL-SPEC or MS) connectors require that both the supplier (Amphenol) and the product supplied (MS electrical connectors) meet all military specifications for the manufacture and testing of those electrical connectors. The Qualified Products List (QPL) program for the six MS connector series covered by the settlement agreement was at all times overseen and managed by Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

As part of the settlement, Amphenol admits that, between 2012 and 2017, it manufactured and sold the following MIL-SPEC electrical connectors directly and indirectly to the U.S. Government that did not fully conform to the applicable MIL-SPECs: Series Nos. 22992, 26482, 26500, 27599, 38999, and 83723 connectors (the “six MS connector series”). Specifically, Amphenol failed to timely complete required retention of qualification testing,[1] failed to timely report required testing results to DLA, and failed to immediately report certain testing failures to DLA, all as required by the applicable MIL-SPECs.

Between 2012 and at least March 2016, Amphenol also obtained parts and components from sources that DLA did not authorize. Amphenol used these parts in the assembly and manufacture of the six MS connector series.

As a result of all of this conduct, from 2012 through 2017, Amphenol submitted or caused to be submitted to DLA, and other Government agencies, claims for the six MS connector series when those connectors did not fully conform with the requirements of the applicable MIL-SPECs.

“Defense contractors agree to follow strict manufacturing and testing protocols so that taxpayers receive the equipment they pay for,” said Carla B. Freedman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. “These high standards also ensure that our service members have the reliable equipment that they expect and deserve. Today’s $18 million settlement holds Amphenol accountable for its failure to meet those high standards for specific electrical connectors.”

The settlement with Amphenol was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York; the Defense Logistics Agency; the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division; the Air Force Office of Special Investigations; and the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl Eurenius and John Hoggan for the Northern District of New York.

[1] “Retention of qualification” testing is periodic testing required by the applicable MIL-SPECs for a manufacturer to maintain status as a QPL manufacturer for a particular QPL-listed product.