National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen commended the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA\u2019s) recent publication of a Request for Solutions (RFS), in which the agency solicits a prime integrator to manage the development and implementation of a modernized air traffic control (ATC) system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNBAA applauds the FAA\u2019s important next step to move forward with air traffic control modernization,\u201d said Bolen. \u201cWe support efforts to streamline procurement and drive results to meet the three-to-four-year goal. This Request for Solutions is a key step toward modernizing the National Airspace System (NAS) on schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAA outlines a three-pillar strategy to aviation safety: continuously optimizing national airspace design and technology; modernizing NAS infrastructure, telecommunication, surveillance, automation and facilities; and fully staffing and equipping the best people for the mission. The agency says these three pillars will result in safety, reliability, agility and scalability of the NAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Performance Work Statement (PWS) in the RFS describes the role, responsibilities and tasks of the prime integrator. The RFS also includes instructions for submitting a proposal and criteria by which the agency will evaluate proposals and Integrator accountability terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAA will respond to questions about the RFS on a rolling basis on Sept. 9, 16 and 19, and plans to select the prime integrator on or around Oct. 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n