This is one of those things that we in the aftermarket auto parts business consider to be our livelyhood. Not only does "meet or exceeds OEM specs" mean just that, the pricing has nothing to do with it. OE specs are not always better than those which an aftermarket supplier uses. In fact, most times the aftermarket part is better because, they have taken a product prone to failure and improved the design so it does not fail.
Aftermarket manufacturers usually have to purchase the patent rights to a product. When they do so they are able to use the original design and fix those flaws in them.
Gerald Wheelus
Edgewood Auto Parts #253
Edgewood, Texas