WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking industry input on a next-generation Common Automation Platform designed to replace the agency’s legacy air traffic control automation systems and support a comprehensive modernization of the National Airspace System, according to a newly released Request for Information.
The RFI supports a Department of Transportation (DOT) initiative to build a new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system and centers on replacing the FAA’s En Route Automation Modernization and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System platforms with a unified automation architecture. The FAA said the Common Automation Platform (CAP) would support both en route and terminal operations while improving interoperability, scalability, safety, and long-term sustainment.
The agency said it is open to multiple technical and acquisition approaches, including re-architecting existing FAA automation assets, adopting operationally proven platforms already in use by domestic or international air navigation service providers, or hybrid solutions that combine both models. Respondents are expected to demonstrate the ability to deliver most of the operational capability currently provided across the FAA’s en route and terminal domains.
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Tech outlook
From a technology standpoint, the FAA is seeking detailed input on system architecture, interoperability, and lifecycle adaptability. Vendors are asked to explain how their platforms would integrate with existing ERAM and STARS systems during transition while enabling real-time data exchange and zero-downtime operations. The agency is also focused on long-term compatibility with evolving technologies and regulatory requirements through the use of open standards, modular architectures, and open application programming interfaces.
The RFI places particular emphasis on accommodating future National Airspace System (NAS) use cases, including uncrewed aircraft systems, advanced air mobility, and space operations. Vendors are asked to describe how their automation solutions would support new airspace users and operational concepts without requiring major redesigns.
Eye on automation
Advanced automation, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is another area of interest. The FAA is asking whether proposed CAP solutions incorporate AI or ML capabilities, how those technologies are applied operationally, and how they are validated for safety and effectiveness in safety-critical environments.
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System reliability, safety, and resilience are central requirements. The FAA is seeking information on fault tolerance, high availability, rapid recovery from failures, and real-time detection and reporting of safety-critical events. Respondents must also address data harmonization and quality assurance across surveillance, weather, and flight data sources, including methods for managing inconsistencies and ensuring data integrity.
Secure and scalable
Cybersecurity and compliance are also key considerations. Vendors are asked to describe how their solutions align with FAA, federal, and international standards and how compliance would be maintained over time. For cloud-based or service-oriented offerings, the FAA is seeking details on cybersecurity frameworks, FedRAMP authorization, and service level agreements that address safety-critical functions.
Scalability is a major concern given the size and complexity of U.S. airspace. The FAA is asking how proposed architectures would support operations across nearly 30 million square miles of domestic and oceanic airspace, manage complex and dynamic airspace configurations, and sustain real-time performance for traffic volumes exceeding 45,000 flights per day.
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The RFI also calls for detailed information on safety assurance processes. Vendors are asked to describe development assurance practices, including applicable development assurance levels and compliance with standards such as DO-178C, DO-278A, and ED-109. Additional areas of interest include hazard analysis, verification and validation, risk controls, and continuous safety monitoring for service-based solutions.
To reduce vendor lock-in, the FAA is emphasizing data portability, open interfaces, modularity, and exit planning. Respondents must explain how the FAA would retain technical and legal control over its data and systems, including access to APIs, support for third-party module integration, and options for source code escrow or system transition.
Finally, the agency is seeking evidence of operational maturity, including current deployments with other air navigation service providers, system performance metrics, upgrade histories, and experience transitioning automation systems in live operational environments.
Responses are due by 4 p.m. Eastern time on 19 December 2025. The main point of contact for this RFI is David L. Reynolds, who can be contacted at [email protected]. More information is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/477eef131e58483fbc3f720084eb1f29/view.
