WASHINGTON – U.S. air traffic control (ATC) experts announced that they have moved up deadlines as they seek solutions from industry for a quick-turnaround effort to overhaul the nation's air traffic control system within the next four years.
Officials of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Washington issued a request for information (693KA7BNATCS) in June for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System project, in response to President Trump's initiative to develop a new ATC system by the end of 2028.
During Industry Days, the FAA informed offerors that they would have 30 days to prepare proposals. However, due to the FAA’s imminent initial funding, the agency says that it will issue its final Request for Solutions (RFS) on 11 July, with proposals due at 4 p.m. EDT on 25 July 2025.
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In particular, this announcement is asking industry for ideas and enabling technologies in telecommunications; radio communications; surveillance; machine automation; and facilities that would apply to an overhaul of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).
New approaches
FAA officials also would like industry suggestions on design approaches to building a new ATC system, acquisition strategies, and business models.
The FAA is proposing three potential industry relationship models for developing and deploying a new ATC system: a prime integrator model where the integrator awards all new contracts and cancels existing ones; a non-prime integrator model where the FAA holds all contracts but the integrator manages and oversees them for the FAA; and a hybrid prime integrator model where the integrator awards new contracts and transfers existing ones either to the integrator or keeps them with the FAA but manages them. The systems integrator may not compete for technology contracts.
From industry, the FAA also wants suggestions on how to contain costs; how to finish a new ATC system by the end of 2028; how to manage supply chain risk; how to approach data rights; potential commercial solutions; and security concerns.
David L. Reynolds is the primary point of contact for this project, and can be reached at [email protected]. More information is available at https://sam.gov/opp/5dcfed630bd8400cb67198919629baba/view.
