This announcement advises industry that the FAA intends to transition R&D surveillance and broadcast services (consisting of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B); Traffic Information Service- Broadcast (TIS-B); and Flight Information Service - Broadcast (FIS-B), under FAA's Technology Development Service Unit (ATO-P), to FAA's Surveillance and Broadcast Services Office under FAA's En Route Service Unit (ATO-E). The Surveillance and Broadcast Services Office proposes to develop a NAS wide acquisition program for ADS-B, TIS-B, and FIS-B with a goal of an "in-service decision" by 2010. To date, FAA has accomplished R&D efforts relating to portions of an ADS-B, TIS-B, and FIS-B infrastructure, through installation of prototype "ground base stations" (GBTs) deployed as part of a network of individual state initiatives funded through memorandums of agreements with FAA. Additionally, the FAA has executed regional ADS-B, TIS-B, and FIS-B projects in Alaska. These efforts are not consistent in their capabilities or configurations. Each R&D effort is associated with a regional coverage volume. None represents an integrated ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B capability related to an approved national program and its associated documentation requirements. On September 9, 2005, the FAA Joint Resources Council (JRC) approved an initial investment decision for a future surveillance ADS-B capability. A team was established within ATO-E responsible for developing, implementing, and managing an integrated ADS-B NAS wide program. The team is seeking a final investment decision from the JRC in June 2006. Upon program approval, there will be only one ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B "acquisition" program office within FAA. The coverage volumes currently provided by existing R&D equipment will eventually be enveloped by the NAS wide acquisition. This announcement will be the first of several with a goal of engaging industry in early collaborative thinking and dialogue regarding the ADS-B, TIS-B,and FIS-B requirements. The first segment of the program will consist of: 1. Targeted ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B infrastructure deployment. 2. Avionics equipage initiation. 3. Commencement of initial aircraft to aircraft application deployment. 4. Definition of additional aircraft to aircraft requirements. Note: Options will be included in any awarded contract(s) for expansion of coverage areas. On December 16, 2005, ATO-P posted a Request for Information (RFI) on the FAA Contract Opportunities Webpage. The RFI presented a draft specification for an ADS-B Broadcast Services Ground System (BSGS) for industry review and comment. The FAA expresses appreciation for the meaningful and thought-out industry comments. A predominant theme in the comments was that a performance specification would benefit the FAA more than a design specification. The FAA concurs with industry comments and has commenced drafting of an ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B performance specification. It is believed that a performance specification will allow greater flexibility in execution of a solicitation. With a performance specification, the FAA will have an option of a "traditional" solicitation wherein offerors would present designs, manufacture, test, and deliver equipment to FAA or an option where offerors would propose their approach for satisfying the performance service requirements using their own facilities and equipment without any delivery to or ownership by FAA. The later option allows industry to utilize and maintain equipment that does not meet all the FAA imposed requirements such as wiring bend radius, physical dimensions, markings, etc. Provision of a service would be the contract deliverable, in the same manner as cell phone and cable TV providers. In addition, a significant portion of design review and testing would be eliminated through a service provider concept. It is also believed that this option would give industry flexibility in teaming arrangements with various combinations of ADS-B, FIS-B, and TIS-B services, technical approaches, and use of existing infrastructure such as cell phone towers. The FAA is also considering the potential of breaking up the NAS service area and awarding one or more contracts. Consideration is being given to a performance based acquisition whereby industry would be given the opportunity to create contract pricing terms and conditions. The FAA is interested in unique approaches which allow both incentives to the contractor and penalties for non-performance. FAA is open to discussion of methodologies to reduce the overall cost of broadcast services through potential added opportunities created for broadcast services providers. The BSGS draft specification, modified as appropriate by industry comment, will also be provided as guidance and information, possibly before any formal solicitation. Once the investment decision is approved by the JRC, a series of industry exchanges will be commenced. It is also recognized that some vendors may have patents associated with ADS-B, FIS-B, or TIS-B capabilities. FAA is considering a request to industry for identification of patents related to ADS-B, TIS-B and FIS-B. Those patents will be subsequently announced in order to facilitate any future teaming arrangements. This will also aid industry in researching any patent issues while forming technical approaches. . A future public announcement will provide proposed schedules and milestones. At the present time, an RFO is planned for the second quarter of FY 2007. This announcement is for information purposes only. It is not a request for information or proposals. Creation of the ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B requirement for a national baseline is contingent upon approval by the FAA JRC. The FAA Technical Point of contact is Mr. Vincent Capezzuto
+1 (555) 000-0000 .
