ANSR Request for Information.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

(RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT

ANNOUNCEMENT

PROGRAM TITLE: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airspace Non- Cooperative Surveillance Radar Name: Chris Archer, FAA Contracting Officer Organization: Surveillance Contracts Branch, AAQ-210 Region: FAA Headquarters Phone Number: 202-267-1468 Email: christopher.c.archer@faa.gov RFI Release Date: November 12, 2024 Industry Comments and Questions Due: November 22, 2024 RFI Industry Reponses Due: January 15, 2025 Procurement Method: Request for Information Alternate Contact: Nathan Laycook, FAA Contract Specialist Organization: Surveillance Contracts Branch, AAQ-210 Region: FAA Headquarters Email: nathan.l.laycook@faa.gov

Introduction This announcement is being issued in accordance with the FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) Policy Section 3.2.1.2.1. Interested parties are advised that:

This is a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP), or any solicitation or obligation on the part of the FAA (the Government). The Government does not intend to select or qualify proposals or offers on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for information obtained via this RFI or in response to this notice. The FAA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. The FAA will not pay for any information received or costs incurred in preparing the response to the RFI. Any costs associated with the RFI response submittals are solely at the interested party's expense. The FAA reserves the right to have communication with any or none of the respondents and upon submittal, any documentation and information becomes the property of the FAA. The FAA reserves the right not to respond to any comments, questions, feedback, or information received from one or more than one respondent.

To the extent that information received in response to this RFI is proprietary or otherwise confidential commercial information, the vendor should mark its response with a restrictive legend. This information will be for the sole use of the FAA and will be treated confidentially.

Nature of Competition The acquisition strategy and the periods of performance for any potential procurements have not been determined at this time.

Purpose The FAA is seeking to gain a better understanding of industry interest and capabilities to meet the Airspace Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) requirements. This RFI builds upon a previous Market Survey (ANSR-MS-00001) issued in February 2023. The purpose of this RFI is for the FAA to:

1. Seek feedback on potential acquisition approaches for ANSR,

2. Gain an understanding of available Commercial-Off-The-Shelf/ Non-

Developmental Items (COTS/NDI) products for the ANSR program.

3. Explore transition approaches and transition risk mitigation options

4. Seek industry input and recommendations on requirements in the draft System

Specification Document (SSD) (Attachment 3) regarding the level of developmental and associated costs required to meet the draft ANSR requirements, and

5. Obtain Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for available ANSR solutions.

The FAA will use the information from this RFI to assist in refining its acquisition alternatives and program requirements in support of the ANSR Initial Investment Decision (IID) planned for Q1 CY2026.

Background The FAA operates and maintains several surveillance radar types in the terminal environment which is generally defined as zero to 60 nautical miles (nm) from the airport reference point, from the surface to 24,000 feet (ft) in elevation. Primary (non-cooperative) aircraft surveillance from these radars, known as the Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) models 8, 9 and 11, is based on reflections from an airframe and does not require any equipment on-board the aircraft. Conversely, Cooperative Surveillance Radars (CSR) interrogate transponder-equipped aircraft through an antenna, mounted above the primary radar’s sail antenna, to obtain the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) address, aircraft identification (Mode 3/A), and Aircraft Altitude (Mode C) information from the transponder to generate beacon target reports. The surveillance data, including aircraft range and azimuth, generated by the ASRs are used to reinforce beacon target reports generated by the co-located CSR. The final output of the radar system includes reinforced target reports, Cooperative Surveillance Radar only target reports and Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar only target reports that are delivered to FAA Automation Systems.

https://sam.gov/opp/9afd72a568614873b839208dddb61592/view

The FAA currently operates independent baselines of the non-cooperative surveillance radars in the terminal domain and these systems are reaching, or have already reached, the end of their service life and will need technology upgrades or replacement by 2035.

The ASR-8 was first deployed in 1975, the ASR-9 in 1985, and the ASR-11 in 2003.

The ASRs include aging technology and were not designed to address modern data communications requirements, cybersecurity requirements, or changes to the National Airspace System (NAS) such as the emergence of wind turbine clutter. Additionally, many spare parts are no longer available for purchase, repair, or redesign and these logistical difficulties affect each system. In some cases, spare parts are taken from cannibalized systems or, if spare parts are unavailable, radars must operate in single channel mode for extended periods of time. The on-going support strategy has been to replace individual subcomponents under technical refresh or sustainment programs.

Those radar sustainment programs are now encompassed under a Terminal and En Route Surveillance Tech Refresh Portfolio (TES TRP). The Airspace Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) program, contained in the NAS Enterprise Architecture Infrastructure Roadmap, was initiated to provide a Non-Cooperative Surveillance system that will replace the legacy ASRs that are currently in the NAS. The ANSR program will ensure the sustainment of non-cooperative surveillance services in the NAS and add necessary functionality to enable the following Operational Improvements:

• Right-size the NAS surveillance infrastructure by optimizing radar coverage

• Mitigate false targets caused by windfarm clutter and improve aircraft detection in surrounding areas

• Improve aircraft detection through modern architecture and algorithms

• Solve Time Division Multiplexing to Internet Protocol (TDM-to-IP) associated with non-cooperative radars

• Provide a modern system that complies with current FAA security standards and mitigates cyber security threats

The NAS operational environment will remain the same for ANSR and meet the same interoperability requirements for FAA ATC Automation Systems with both aircraft and weather data as with legacy terminal ASRs. The aim of the Terminal Precipitation on the Glass (TPOG) Program is to provide precipitation weather data for most if not all Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities. The ANSR program includes precipitation weather requirements until TPOG is demonstrated and fielded. The ANSR Program will continue to monitor the TPOG Program and evaluate the need for precipitation weather requirements throughout the investment analysis phase.

Since the deployment of ASRs, the NAS has added a surveillance layer, known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), that relies upon precise, rapidly updated positional data from the Global Positioning System (GPS). It has also become the preferred source for Cooperative Surveillance Data in rule airspace and for equipped aircraft in the NAS. These position reports are disseminated through the

Surveillance and Broadcast Service (SBS) network and fused by Automation Systems for Air Traffic Control (ATC) purposes. Even with the growing use of ADS-B, primary radar surveillance, such as will be provided by ANSR, is required in terminal airspace to provide non-cooperative aircraft position awareness in airspace where ADS-B equipage is not mandated, for non-cooperative incursions into otherwise mandated airspace, or to address single aircraft avionics failure (particularly important in high traffic density airspace as to not affect safety and efficiency). Additionally, ANSR will provide a backup service in the case of ADS-B outages, spoofing, or jamming.

Air traffic controllers at Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) facilities use primary radar, secondary radar, and ADS-B to safely and efficiently sequence and separate aircraft into and out of airports throughout the country. Controllers use the information from these systems to provide directions to pilots, advise them of other nearby traffic and provide precipitation information and avoidance directions when necessary. Further, these data are used to efficiently transfer control of aircraft between adjacent ATC facilities.

The FAA is in the acquisition planning and investment analysis process. The FAA is currently considering the following acquisition strategy approaches to procure ANSR:

1. Government-Owned-and-Operated Acquisition

2. Surveillance as a Service Acquisition

For the purposes of this RFI, the FAA seeks input on the above-mentioned approaches.

However, this does not preclude the submittal of information on other possible acquisition strategy alternatives. Future RFIs may be issued later.

Request for Information

The FAA requests industry provide responses to the following:

Non-cooperative Surveillance as a Government Owned/Government Operated Acquisition (see Attachment 1)

The FAA is considering procuring ANSR as a government owned/government operated system. In this approach, the FAA would procure non-cooperative surveillance radar data from a vendor and own. operate, and maintain the associated equipment. This approach is similar to the previous ASR-8, ASR-9 and ASR-11 programs for non-cooperative surveillance systems. With the ASRs the vendor provides the FAA with a system and the FAA owns, operates, and maintains the surveillance equipment.

The FAA requests industry feedback on this approach to help further develop the approach and understand the concerns of industry.

The following are assumptions/guidelines the FAA is currently making regarding this approach:

1. The FAA seeks to maximize the use of COTS/NDI systems to the extent possible for the ANSR solution to reduce cost, streamline schedules, reduce risk, and support sustainment strategies.

2. The FAA understands that this RFI is the first opportunity to review the SSD and COTS system(s) may not fully comply with all requirements. Therefore, the FAA would like to understand the extent of changes required to meet the SSD, specific requirements that COTS systems are not compliant with and the impact of those changes on schedule, cost, and risk.

3. In addition to greenfield (open-area) installations, the FAA would like industry comments on the concept of reusing the existing ASR-8, ASR-9, and ASR-11 towers, antennas, and shelters that include power, HVAC, and communications.

4. The FAA requests industry strategies for planning, surveying, equipment installation, system checkout and acceptance, training, and optimization that minimize outages of the legacy ASRs that provide Surveillance Data to ATC Automation Systems.

Non-cooperative Surveillance as a Service Acquisition (see Attachment 2)

The FAA is considering procuring ANSR as a service. In this approach, the FAA would procure only non-cooperative surveillance radar data. The FAA would not procure the associated equipment involved in the production of non-cooperative surveillance radar data. The FAA would procure non-cooperative surveillance radar data as a service from the vendor. The vendor would provide the FAA with data feeds of the non-cooperative surveillance data, but the FAA would neither procure nor own the surveillance equipment. Surveillance equipment includes the shelter, tower and real estate.

The following are assumptions/guidelines the FAA is currently making regarding this approach:

1. ANSR services would be defined by multiple unique service volumes that could be independently provided by one or more respondents throughout the NAS.

2. Performance requirements for ANSR services are outlined in Section 3.2 of the SSD;

performance requirements must adhere to NIST 800-53 Rev 5 controls for a FISMA high categorization. The FAA is developing further requirements for ANSR services and may release these additional requirements as appropriate in the future.

3. The respondent would provide non-cooperative surveillance data over its own telecommunications infrastructure to Service Delivery Points (SDPs) at the FAA network.

4. Service status would be provided to SDPs and other monitoring sites as defined by the FAA.

5. System performance and certification will be determined by FAA defined Technical Performance Measurements (TPMs).

The FAA requests industry feedback on these approaches and assumptions to help further develop the acquisition strategy.

INDUSTRY RESPONSES

Respondents are asked to provide written responses for attachments 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. If some questions are not applicable to a respondent’s offering or if a respondent has no substantive feedback, please mark as Not Applicable. The FAA desires substantive input from industry participants and recognizes that some respondents may not have expertise in all areas addressed in this RFI.

Vendors must provide written responses. Respondents are encouraged to submit nonproprietary information to the greatest extent possible. However, if a respondent submits proprietary information, it must be marked as proprietary. This information will be for the sole use of the FAA and will be treated confidentially.

If the FAA determines one-on-one meetings will add value to the market research process, the FAA may elect to conduct meetings with some or all respondents at its sole discretion.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

Submit any questions or comments using Attachment 5 based on the ANSR RFI Submittal Activity, which must be limited to aspects of this announcement, via email to the Contracting Officer, Chris Archer, email: christopher.c.archer@faa.gov

The respondent is responsible for monitoring the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) official website for applicable questions and responses that the FAA may post. Questions and comments will be posted publicly and should not contain proprietary information.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE

The Principal North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Non-cooperative Surveillance System Request for Information Response Attachment 2: Non-cooperative Surveillance Service Request for Information Response Attachment 3: Draft System Specification Document Attachment 4: Business Declaration Form Attachment 5: Comments and Questions Matrix Attachment 6: ANSR System Specification Comment Matrix

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

mailto:christopher.c.archer@faa.gov

Responses to this RFI should be inserted in Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 and must be in PDF format in Times New Roman 12 Font. Total page count is limited to 100-pages for each complete response. Responses may be separated from the table but ensure each response is properly referenced to its associated question.

Respondents must use Attachment 5 for any comments or questions related to Attachment 3.

Responses must be provided electronically, in writing and submitted to the contracting officer at christopher.c.archer@faa.gov by 01/15/2025 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Responses must include company point(s) of contact, title(s), telephone number(s), email address(es), and mailing address. Any proprietary or confidential information contained in the RFI submissions must be appropriately marked, per respondent’s policy.

Responses will not be returned.

Please find below the following schedule with applicable due dates for the RFI:

ANSR RFI Submittal Activity Activity Date ANSR RFI released 11/12/2024 Respondents submits comments and/or questions to FAA (Attachment 5) 11/22/2024 FAA posts responses to all Attachment 5 comments and questions received by respondent to SAM.gov

12/06/2024

Respondent submits RFI response with completed business declaration form.

01/15/2025

FAA Point of Contact Information:

Mr. Chris Archer Contracting Officer, AAQ-210 800 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20591 Email: christopher.c.archer@faa.gov

END OF ANNOUNCEMENT

mailto:christopher.c.archer@faa.gov