diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/__manifest__.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/__manifest__.py
index 37c5f9e2..901dfd22 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/__manifest__.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/__manifest__.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 {
     'name': 'Fusion Plating — Configurator',
-    'version': '19.0.13.6.0',
+    'version': '19.0.14.0.0',
     'category': 'Manufacturing/Plating',
     'summary': 'Quotation configurator with part catalog, coating configs, and formula-based pricing engine.',
     'description': """
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/models/sale_order.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/models/sale_order.py
index 012b9e18..c16b00b9 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/models/sale_order.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/models/sale_order.py
@@ -28,6 +28,25 @@ class SaleOrder(models.Model):
     x_fc_po_override = fields.Boolean(string='PO Override',
         help='Manager override — proceed without formal PO (handshake deal).')
     x_fc_po_override_reason = fields.Text(string='Override Reason')
+    # Estimator-level "PO is coming later" flag. Unlike PO Override
+    # (permanent, manager-only), this one is time-boxed: the order
+    # confirms with no PO yet, but a chase activity is scheduled for
+    # po_expected_date so sales chases the customer for the paperwork.
+    x_fc_po_pending = fields.Boolean(
+        string='PO Pending',
+        tracking=True,
+        help='Customer will provide the PO later. Confirms the order '
+             'without a PO number, schedules a chase activity, and '
+             'shows a "PO Pending" ribbon on the form. Toggle off once '
+             'the real PO arrives and you\'ve entered it below.',
+    )
+    x_fc_po_expected_date = fields.Date(
+        string='PO Expected By',
+        tracking=True,
+        help='Date the customer promised to send the PO. A follow-up '
+             'activity is scheduled for this date when the order is '
+             'confirmed with PO Pending set.',
+    )
     x_fc_invoice_strategy = fields.Selection(
         [('deposit', 'Deposit'), ('progress', 'Progress Billing'),
          ('net_terms', 'Net Terms'), ('cod_prepay', 'COD / Prepay')],
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/views/sale_order_views.xml b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/views/sale_order_views.xml
index f45f228b..289dc9cf 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/views/sale_order_views.xml
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/views/sale_order_views.xml
@@ -109,6 +109,9 @@
                             <field name="x_fc_po_attachment_id"
                                    invisible="not x_fc_po_attachment_id"/>
                             <field name="x_fc_po_received"/>
+                            <field name="x_fc_po_pending" widget="boolean_toggle"/>
+                            <field name="x_fc_po_expected_date"
+                                   invisible="not x_fc_po_pending"/>
                             <field name="x_fc_po_override"
                                    groups="fusion_plating.group_fusion_plating_manager"/>
                             <field name="x_fc_po_override_reason"
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard.py
index 4406ac2f..39ed65d3 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard.py
@@ -58,10 +58,26 @@ class FpDirectOrderWizard(models.TransientModel):
         help='Ship all-or-nothing; partial pickings are blocked.',
     )
 
-    # ---- PO (required — that's what makes this a "direct" order) ----
-    po_number = fields.Char(string='Customer PO #', required=True)
-    po_attachment_file = fields.Binary(string='PO Document', required=True)
+    # ---- PO ----
+    # Originally required at wizard time — that's what makes this a
+    # "direct" order vs. a quote. Relaxed 2026-04-23: some customers
+    # don't send their PO until after the order is in progress. The
+    # wizard now accepts a PO Pending flag in lieu of a PO#/doc; the
+    # underlying SO is confirmed with a chase activity scheduled for
+    # the expected date.
+    po_number = fields.Char(string='Customer PO #')
+    po_attachment_file = fields.Binary(string='PO Document')
     po_attachment_filename = fields.Char(string='PO Filename')
+    po_pending = fields.Boolean(
+        string='PO Pending',
+        help='Customer will send the PO later. Enter their expected '
+             'date below; a follow-up activity will remind sales to '
+             'chase the paperwork.',
+    )
+    po_expected_date = fields.Date(
+        string='PO Expected By',
+        help='When the customer promised to send the PO.',
+    )
 
     # ---- Fulfilment (order-level) ----
     delivery_method = fields.Selection(
@@ -193,15 +209,30 @@ class FpDirectOrderWizard(models.TransientModel):
         self.ensure_one()
         if not self.line_ids:
             raise UserError(_('Add at least one part line before confirming.'))
-        if not self.po_attachment_file:
-            raise UserError(_('Upload the customer PO document.'))
 
-        # 1. Save the PO attachment once
-        po_att = self.env['ir.attachment'].create({
-            'name': self.po_attachment_filename or 'po.pdf',
-            'datas': self.po_attachment_file,
-            'mimetype': 'application/pdf',
-        })
+        # Accept EITHER a PO (document + number) OR the PO Pending
+        # flag. Customers who haven't sent paperwork yet use Pending;
+        # sales chases them on po_expected_date.
+        if not self.po_pending:
+            if not self.po_attachment_file:
+                raise UserError(_(
+                    'Upload the customer PO document, or tick "PO Pending" '
+                    'if the customer will send the PO later.'
+                ))
+            if not self.po_number:
+                raise UserError(_(
+                    'Enter the Customer PO #, or tick "PO Pending" if the '
+                    'customer will send the PO later.'
+                ))
+
+        # 1. Save the PO attachment if one was uploaded
+        po_att = False
+        if self.po_attachment_file:
+            po_att = self.env['ir.attachment'].create({
+                'name': self.po_attachment_filename or 'po.pdf',
+                'datas': self.po_attachment_file,
+                'mimetype': 'application/pdf',
+            })
 
         # 2. Find or create the generic plating service product
         product = self.env['product.product'].search(
@@ -226,9 +257,11 @@ class FpDirectOrderWizard(models.TransientModel):
             'partner_shipping_id': (
                 self.partner_shipping_id.id or self.partner_id.id
             ),
-            'x_fc_po_number': self.po_number,
-            'x_fc_po_attachment_id': po_att.id,
-            'x_fc_po_received': True,
+            'x_fc_po_number': self.po_number or False,
+            'x_fc_po_attachment_id': po_att.id if po_att else False,
+            'x_fc_po_received': bool(po_att),
+            'x_fc_po_pending': self.po_pending,
+            'x_fc_po_expected_date': self.po_expected_date or False,
             'x_fc_customer_job_number': self.customer_job_number or False,
             'x_fc_planned_start_date': self.planned_start_date,
             'x_fc_internal_deadline': self.internal_deadline,
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard_views.xml b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard_views.xml
index e39641ee..e848c03b 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard_views.xml
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_configurator/wizard/fp_direct_order_wizard_views.xml
@@ -40,10 +40,22 @@
                             <field name="customer_job_number"/>
                         </group>
                         <group string="Purchase Order">
-                            <field name="po_number"/>
+                            <field name="po_number"
+                                   placeholder="Enter the customer PO number"/>
                             <field name="po_attachment_file"
                                    filename="po_attachment_filename"/>
                             <field name="po_attachment_filename" invisible="1"/>
+                            <field name="po_pending" widget="boolean_toggle"/>
+                            <field name="po_expected_date"
+                                   invisible="not po_pending"/>
+                            <div colspan="2" class="text-muted small"
+                                 invisible="not po_pending">
+                                <i class="fa fa-info-circle me-1"/>
+                                Order will confirm without a PO number or
+                                document. A chase activity will be scheduled
+                                for the expected date so sales follows up
+                                with the customer.
+                            </div>
                         </group>
                     </group>
 
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/__manifest__.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/__manifest__.py
index dc4fb64d..6a1e73c2 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/__manifest__.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/__manifest__.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 {
     'name': 'Fusion Plating — Invoicing',
-    'version': '19.0.2.3.0',
+    'version': '19.0.3.0.0',
     'category': 'Manufacturing/Plating',
     'summary': 'Invoice strategy engine with deposit, progress billing, net terms, COD/prepay, and account holds.',
     'description': """
diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/models/sale_order.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/models/sale_order.py
index 6f677af0..546ff245 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/models/sale_order.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating_invoicing/models/sale_order.py
@@ -31,23 +31,36 @@ class SaleOrder(models.Model):
         """Override to check account hold + customer PO# and trigger
         the invoice strategy."""
         for order in self:
-            # --- Customer PO# required ---
+            # --- Customer PO# required (with escape hatches) ---
             # Aerospace AP teams reject invoices without their PO#
             # quoted back. Catching this at SO confirm prevents the
             # whole downstream chain (CoC, BoL, invoice) from going
             # out unreferenced. The PO# is on `client_order_ref`
             # (Odoo standard) AND mirrored to `x_fc_po_number`
             # (FP-specific) — accept either as filled.
+            #
+            # Two escape hatches for real-world cases:
+            #   * x_fc_po_pending — estimator flag: "PO coming later".
+            #     Confirms the order without a PO number and schedules
+            #     a chase activity for x_fc_po_expected_date so sales
+            #     doesn't forget to chase the paperwork.
+            #   * x_fc_po_override — manager waiver: "proceed without
+            #     a formal PO (handshake deal)". Permanent.
             po_set = bool(order.client_order_ref) or bool(
                 getattr(order, 'x_fc_po_number', False)
             )
-            if not po_set:
+            po_pending = bool(getattr(order, 'x_fc_po_pending', False))
+            po_override = bool(getattr(order, 'x_fc_po_override', False))
+            if not po_set and not po_pending and not po_override:
                 raise UserError(_(
                     'Cannot confirm SO "%(so)s" — Customer PO# is required.\n\n'
                     'Set the customer\'s purchase order number in the '
                     '"Customer Reference" field (or x_fc_po_number) before '
-                    'confirming. Aerospace customers\' AP teams reject '
-                    'invoices that don\'t quote their PO# back.'
+                    'confirming. If the customer will provide the PO '
+                    'later, tick "PO Pending" and set "PO Expected By" — '
+                    'the order will confirm with a follow-up activity to '
+                    'chase the paperwork. A Plating Manager can also set '
+                    '"PO Override" for handshake deals.'
                 ) % {'so': order.name})
 
             # --- Account hold check ---
@@ -73,6 +86,36 @@ class SaleOrder(models.Model):
 
         res = super().action_confirm()
 
+        # --- PO-pending chase activity ---
+        # Sales team needs to chase the customer for the real PO before
+        # any invoice goes out. Schedule a follow-up on the expected
+        # date (or 3 days out if unset).
+        for order in self:
+            if not getattr(order, 'x_fc_po_pending', False):
+                continue
+            if getattr(order, 'x_fc_po_number', False) or order.client_order_ref:
+                continue  # PO already set — nothing to chase
+            from datetime import timedelta
+            expected = (
+                order.x_fc_po_expected_date
+                or (fields.Date.context_today(order) + timedelta(days=3))
+            )
+            order.activity_schedule(
+                'mail.mail_activity_data_todo',
+                date_deadline=expected,
+                summary=_('Chase customer PO for %s') % order.name,
+                note=_(
+                    'Order confirmed with PO Pending. Follow up with '
+                    '%(partner)s for their PO number (and PDF if '
+                    'available), then tick PO Pending off and enter the '
+                    'PO# on the sale order.'
+                ) % {'partner': order.partner_id.display_name},
+            )
+            order.message_post(body=_(
+                'Order confirmed without PO. Chase activity scheduled '
+                'for %(date)s.'
+            ) % {'date': expected.strftime('%Y-%m-%d')})
+
         # --- Invoice strategy automation (on confirm) ---
         for order in self:
             strategy = order.x_fc_invoice_strategy