FAA Solicits Potential Vendors for ATC Replacements

The FAA has released a request for information (RFI) on a common automation platform (CAP) that will replace legacy equipment as it looks to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system. Issued on Thursday, the RFI follows a request for solutions (RFS) in August for a prime integrator to manage the agency’s ambitions for a “brand new” ATC system. Responses to the RFI are due December 19.

As for the CAP, the FAA is eyeing replacements for systems including En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (Stars) with a unified, modern platform, the agency said.

“The FAA is open to new ideas, new technologies, new procurement strategies, new implementation structures, and any other considerations that will enhance the common automation platform solution,” according to the agency. It is also open to an “enterprise re-architecture approach” that would extend and re-architect existing systems such as ERAM and Stars, as well as other platforms in use by other air navigation service providers.

“Responses that describe both approaches separately or hybrid solutions that combine elements of both approaches are acceptable,” the FAA said, explaining it “is seeking responses from vendors that can deliver the majority of the operational capability already provided today across its en route, and terminal domains.”