TSS E2 ChBA Questions and Answers.pdf

TSS E2 Challenge Based Acquisition Questions and Answers

Question 1: Answers 20 and 32 in the published Responses to SOO Questions both state: "See TSS E2 Site List. Sites are identified as small, medium, or large TSS installations based on operational need." The TSS E2 Site List (February 13, 2026) as published contains only three columns: No., Site Identifier, and Site Name. There is no column identifying each site as Large, Medium, or Small. Could the FAA provide a revised Site List that includes the configuration (Large / Medium / Small) for each site?

Q1 FAA Response: The TSS configuration is a function of ATCT-specific training requirements and the space available at the TSS training site. However, the configuration, as currently defined, is specific to the existing solution. In lieu of the configuration, the FAA has modified the TSS Site List to indicate the number of screens that is expected to meet ATCT-specific training requirements and the space constraints of the TSS site. The TSS Site List has been updated on the Box.com site.

Question 2: Which 102 of the 117 listed sites are in scope? The RCP specifies a deployment target of 102 sites. The Site List contains 117 entries marked "subject to change." Could the FAA confirm: Which 102 of the 117 listed sites are in scope for this procurement?

Q2 FAA Response: The FAA is still determining which of the 117 sites are in scope for this procurement. For the purposes of the RCP response, assume sites 1-102 are in scope.

Question 3: SOO Objective 14 requires "the development of a VDB and training scenarios for every E2 ATCT" by May 2028. The same sentence uses two distinct terms: "designated E2 training site" (which we understand to be the 102 deployment sites) and "E2 ATCT" (which appears to reference a broader set of airports). The published VDB List contains 264 entries covering all FAA-operated ATCTs. The RCP Evaluation Criteria also states that concept papers will be scored on "the degree to which the TSS solution provides high fidelity simulation capability for the 264 towers in the NAS."

Could the FAA clarify:

a) Precisely how many ATCTs does "every E2 ATCT" refer to in SOO Objective 14?

b) Will the FAA provide Government-Furnished Information (GFI) to support VDB development? If so, in what format will this information be available?

Q3 FAA Response: The FAA has updated the SOO to provide clarification. The FAA provided a sample VDB and training scenario on the Box.com site with the release of the RCP. All existing VDBs will be provided in the same format to the potential awardee of this challenge-based acquisition.

Question 4: Will the FAA define pass/fail thresholds for automated student evaluations with defined metrics? (e.g., runway incursions, lost separations, wake-turbulence violations, spacing intervals, CPDLC timeliness)

Q4 FAA Response: Pass/fail thresholds are not in scope of the TSS E2 solution, however the TSS system must be able to identify student metrics (e.g., runway incursions, lost separations, wake-turbulence violations, spacing intervals, CPDLC timeliness) for instructors to evaluate.

Question 5: What open-standard file formats does the FAA prefer for the visual database?

Q5 FAA Response: The FAA is not stating a preference for format. The FAA is seeking innovative solutions that meet the objectives in the SOO.

Question 6: Which specific FAA systems and interfaces must be simulated/integrated (for example, STARS data exchange, ASDE-X/AMASS, TFDM electronic flight strip interfaces), and will authoritative interface specifications and user/architecture manuals be furnished for each required system?

Q6 FAA Response: The TSS E2 solution is not required to have any interfaces with external systems.

Refer to the TSS System Specification for the systems that must be simulated in the TSS E2 solution. The FAA will provide all instructions/requirements for subsequent phases if vendors are selected to move to the next phase.

Question 7: Will FAA provide a reference test-bed configuration as GFE or must the vendor design and maintain a separate test-bed environment that mirrors all TSS configurations (large, medium, small, mobile)?

Q7 FAA Response: The vendor must design and maintain a test-bed environment.

Question 8: What are the formal validation criteria for a VDB within the 10/30-day windows (for example, photogrammetric accuracy ranges, lighting/controllable-object behavior checks, loading performance on small/medium/large configurations, and scenario compatibility), and will FAA provide acceptance checklists tied to these criteria?

Q8 FAA Response: The FAA will provide all instructions/requirements for subsequent phases if vendors are selected to move to the next phase.

Question 9: Will FAA require full system acceptance testing at each site—including VDB validation, scenario validation, network connectivity checks, and remote-operation verification—before a site is considered “installed,” and will the FAA provide standard test procedures for this purpose?

Q9 FAA Response: The FAA will require full system acceptance testing at each site. Vendors are to propose the appropriate test processes and procedures for the FAA to review and approve.

Question 10: Will the FAA publish a frozen baseline of the TSS System Specification for Phase II/III, and how will changes be controlled to avoid requirement drift during demonstrations and deployment?

Q10 FAA Response: Proposed solutions must meet the objectives in the SOO and the requirements in the TSS System Specification. However, offerors are permitted to propose changes to requirements in the TSS System Specification with an explanation of the benefits of the proposed change and how they meet the SOO objectives. The FAA will provide all instructions/requirements for subsequent phases if vendors are selected to move to the next phase.

Question 11: For schedule planning, can sites achieve conditional acceptance (hardware installed, core sim running) before advanced features (e.g., virtual pilots, automated evaluation) are activated, provided everything is completed?

Q11 FAA Response: Vendor proposed solutions must be fully implemented by the deadline of May 2028.

Question 12: What is in the example VDB zip file? We were unable to open the file as it seems corrupted.

Q12 FAA Response: The issue was corrected. The file is accessible.

Question 13: Is upgrading existing TSS deployments a part of this proposal?

Q13 FAA Response: No.

Question 14: The ConOps template states that 176 ATCTs lack simulators and the goal is to build TSS systems at all of them, while the TSS E2 RFCP designates that the offeror will be responsible for deploying to 102 sites. Which of the two sources is correct?

Q14 FAA Response: The ConOps does not reflect the current requirements for the TSS E2 solution.

Please do not consider the ConOps in preparing your response.

Question 15: The ConOps template states that the current MaxSim software uses MaxSim, Whiteboard, VMAX, Nuance, and CentOS. Is this information correct? Since MaxSim is proprietary software, will the FAA select new software for use or are we to offer/suggest/develop software?

Q15 FAA Response: The ConOps does not reflect the current requirements for the TSS E2 solution.

Please do not consider the ConOps in preparing your response.

Question 16: When is the earliest that the FAA can provide the 2D logical playing area, associated coordinate data, and scenarios for the existing 235 VDBs as GFI?

Q16 FAA Response: The FAA provided a sample VDB and training scenario with the release of the RCP.

All existing VDBs and training scenarios will be provided to the potential awardee of this challenge-based acquisition.

Question 17: When is the earliest that the FAA can provide the underlying scenario scripts and event-trigger sequences for the legacy scenarios as GFI?

Q17 FAA Response: See FAA response to question 16 above.

Question 18: When will the FAA specifically require an Authority to Operate (ATO) for the proposed solution?

Q18 FAA Response: The ATO process is the responsibility of the FAA. The FAA expects ATO approval within 12 months from contract award.

Question 19: The information contained in the document entitled “7_TSS E2 ConOps v5.6.pdf” has incorrect information regarding the software description of the TSS and contract history and status.

Section 2.4.2 is out of date, referring to the software version predating the software contract awarded in 2023. As an example, the document references earlier generational image generator, speech recognition engines and operating system. Can the FAA confirm that this is the latest software specification?

Q19 FAA Response: The ConOps does not reflect the current requirements for the TSS E2 solution.

Please do not consider the ConOps in preparing your response.

Question 20: Referring to the Government Furnished Information (GFI) document entitled “8_TSS E2 Sample Training Scenario_02132026.pdf”, table titled “Information we want to know”, is written “Ability to use a FIDO". Can the FAA specify which requirements of the "2_TSS E2 System Specification_02132026.pdf" document are related to the FIDO? Alternatively, is the acronym Flight Data Input Output (FDIO) interchangeable with FIDO?

Q20 FAA Response: The acronym FIDO used was in error, the correct reference is “Flight Data Input Output (FDIO)”. See the updated Sample Training Scenario attachment in the Box.com site.

Question 21: There is a different list in the document "7_TSS E2 ConOps v5.6.pdf" (Appendix D Future TSS Locations Planned E2) as compared to "'5_TSS E2 Site List_02132026.pdf" of GFI. Can the FAA confirm the document containing the most recent Site List?

Q21 FAA Response: The ConOps does not reflect the current requirements for the TSS E2 solution.

Please do not consider the ConOps in preparing your response.

Question 22: Attachment 2 referenced in document "2_TSS E2 System Specification_02132026.pdf"is not included in the GFI. Will the FAA provide the document entitled "Attachment 2: TSS Training Sites and Airport Visual Databases" referenced in document " 2_"TSS E2 System Specification_02132026.pdf"?

Q22 FAA Response: Refer to TSS Site List for a list of training sites. Refer to TSS VDB List and Associated Training Scenarios for a list of VDBs.

Question 23: Attachment 3 referenced in document "2_TSS E2 System Specification_02132026.pdf"is not included in the GFI. Can the FAA provide the document entitled "Attachment 3 - Aircraft and Vehicle Fleet List" referenced in document " 2_"TSS E2 System Specification_02132026.pdf"?

Q23 FAA Response: See new Aircraft and Vehicle Fleet List attachment that has been posted to the Box.com site.

Question 24: The ConOps Template document states that there will be both a software contract (4.4) and a hardware contract (4.5). The request for concept papers addresses an end to end solution. How will the Government issue 2 contracts out of the concept paper response and demonstration? Must a vendor response include a software and hardware concept or is one or the other acceptable?

Q24 FAA Response: The ConOps does not reflect the current requirements for the TSS E2 solution.

Please do not consider the ConOps in preparing your response. Please refer to the TSS E2 SOO. The FAA is seeking a complete hardware and software solution.

Question 25: In Phase II Proof of Concept, the request for Concept papers states “The offerors that best address the scripts, use cases provided, and the associated evaluation criteria will be invited to future phases, if required, or to enter into a subcontract agreement.” What subcontract agreement is anticipated and with which Prime contractor?

Q25 FAA Response: The subcontract agreement may be with the FAA’s designated agent.