DOT IG Launches Investigation Into FAA FSS Oversight

A Transportation Department watchdog has launched an investigation into whether the FAA has effective controls in place to monitor Flight Service Stations and achieve planned savings. The Transportation Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting the audit as the FAA finalizes its requirements for the new Future Flight Service Program (FFSP), which is expected to integrate Automated FSS services with other services such as Direct User Access Terminal Service.

The FAA originally awarded a five-year fixed-price contract to Lockheed Martin in February 2005 to run the AFSS network and this year extended the contract while the agency works on the FFSP.

The OIG noted the original contract was estimated to save $2 billion over a 10-year period. Lockheed Martin reorganized operations, modernized facilities and completed technological improvements to achieve the estimated savings. But in 2007 the OIG noted that the FAA still needed to improve controls over contractor staffing levels, training and customer complaints. With a new competitive bid anticipated next year to run the FSS system, the OIG is conducting the audit to determine whether the FAA achieved the original goals. The OIG said it is looking to determine whether cost savings were reached and whether the FAA’s oversight has been adequate.