VG SOW-Draft.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration Visual Guidance Technical Support

Statement of Work – DRAFT October 20, 2020

1. Introduction

This Statement of Work (SOW) sets forth the requirements to accomplish a variety of specific activities related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Technology Research and Development (ATRD) Branch, Visual Guidance Research Program Area (RPA), and other R&D support. This SOW will focus on the project management, engineering, and technical support of all the visual guidance research program areas, and other research topics related to airport visual guidance. The systems, standards, and requirements for airport visual guidance are found in FAA Advisory Circulars (AC), FAA Orders, FAA guidance documents, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) documents, and industry standard documents.

2. Background

Visual guidance is the information and science of ensuring safe, accurate movements in the airport operations area using visual cues. Runway and taxiway lights, obstruction lights, signage, and surface markings are some of the cues that pilots and ground vehicle operators rely on for navigation during aircraft taxiing, takeoff, landing, and anyone maneuvering on the airport surface. Two types of activities make up a majority of the FAA’s Visual Guidance RPA: First, is the identification and elimination of deficiencies in existing airport lighting, signage, and surface painted markings that may cause confusion, lack conspicuity, or potentially contribute to a pilot or ground vehicle operator causing a runway incursion. Test and evaluation techniques, along with data analysis and stakeholder collaboration, are used to identify and control factors that inhibit a pilot or vehicle operator’s situational awareness. Second, new visual guidance concepts and technologies are researched and evaluated to improve the safety and efficiency of aircraft and ground vehicle operations. This includes the research and development of performance specifications for standards used in numerous FAA guidance documents such as Advisory Circulars, and other industry documents to ensure that the National Air Space (NAS) continues to operate as safely and reliable as possible, at all times and in all types of weather.

3. Task Areas and Descriptions

The ATRD Branch, Visual Guidance RPA activities which this contractual effort will support are divided into the following Task Areas:

Visual Guidance Research Program Task Areas:

3.1. Airport Lighting and Infrastructure - Research and development of airport lighting fixture types, airport lighting engineering standards, and the infrastructure needed to install, operate and support lighting systems on an airport. This includes general airport lighting, runway lighting, and taxiway lighting. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Light fixtures

• Frangible connections

• Airport electrical infrastructure

• Light Emitting Diodes (LED)

• LEDs with infrared (IR) emitters

• Solar powered lighting & infrastructure

• Heliport/Vertiport lighting

• Obstruction lighting, markings, aircraft detection/dimming solutions

3.2. Airport Surface Markings, Signs, and Vehicle Operations - Airport surface markings and signs provide visual cues to pilots and vehicle operators to enhance safe and efficient movement on an airport.

This Task Area includes research and development on airport surface markings and sign systems that are useful to pilots and vehicle operators during takeoff, landing, taxiing, and navigating on the airport to reduce runway incursions and surface incidents. This includes a variety of different types of surface marking, applications, color, conspicuity, and removal of markings, as well as the painting, marking, and lighting of ground vehicles that operate in the airport operations area. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Airport signs

• Surface markings

• Vehicle operations with lighting and markings

• Runway incursion reduction

• Heliport/Vertiport markings and signage

3.3. Lighting Innovations & Special Projects - This Task Area includes research and development on new visual guidance ideas and concepts, photometric laboratory testing, and special projects as tasked.

The FAA operates a photometric laboratory used for initial assessments of lighting fixtures for photometry and colorimetry prior to lab certification. Special projects are often tasked to the Visual Guidance Research Program for their expertise in airport visual cues, engineering, human factors, and operations knowledge for FAA mission support objectives and business goals. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• New airport lighting concepts

• FAA Photometric Laboratory (operation, maintenance, calibration and testing)

• FAA mission support on projects

3.4. National Airspace System (NAS) Visual Aids – This Task Area will assist with joint research and development projects with the FAA Lighting Systems Group. Projects may include approach lighting systems (ALS) such as Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR), LED lamps with Infrared (IR) visual NAVAIDS Vertical Glide Slope Indicators (VGSI) such as Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), runway end identifier lights (REIL), and other systems pilots use to navigate to land. Research is also performed on VGSI installation and siting criteria across the U.S. and its territories, obstruction identification, and obstruction solutions such as “baffles.” Lastly, the FAA operates an experimental MALSR for test and evaluation purposes on Runway 4 at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• System/site/electrical design

• Installation and siting criteria

• Test and evaluation

• Field/engineering solutions

3.5. Vehicle, Facility, Equipment, and Asset Operations and Maintenance – The FAA Airport

Technology R&D Branch owns, maintains, and modifies vehicles, facilities, equipment, and assets to support R&D projects and mission objectives. Duties may include, but are not limited to routine record reporting, perform general maintenance/inspection, facility upkeep, general cleaning, general organization, transportation of assets to designated repair facility, identify parts, recommend upgrades/modifications, overseeing construction/maintenance activities, reporting of deficiencies, and inventory tracking. This Task Area may include, but is not limited to work on the following equipment and locations:

• Vehicles (i.e. FAA owned and leased vehicles, specialized vehicles, test vehicles/equipment, trailers, tractors, forklift, electric vehicles, utility vehicles, and bicycles, as identified in the table below)

• Facilities (i.e. FAA Airport Technology R&D Branch owned/maintained buildings at FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC), FAA Experimental Heliport Facility, FAA Photometric Laboratory, ACY Runway 4 MALSR, as identified in the table below)

• Small equipment (i.e. generators, small engines, electronics, bicycles, tools, as identified in the table below)

• Offsite locations (i.e. FAA Research Taxiway at Cape May County Airport (WWD), FAA R&D project locations, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, and potential additional locations to be determined at a later date)

• Test & Experimental Equipment (i.e. lighting systems, scanners, measuring devices, and electrical componentry, as identified in the table below)

List of current vehicles, facilities, equipment, and assets include, but are not limited to:

Vehicles & Equipment Trailers Test & Experimental Equipment Other Assets

5 x Ford F-350s 2 x 28 ft Wells Cargo Enclosed Trailers

1 x DELTA LTL-X Mark II

7 x L828 ADB 10KW 5 step constant current regulators (240 VAC)

1 x Ford E-350 1 x ATC Quest Enclosed Trailer

1 x DELTA LTL-x Standard

1 x L828 Flight Line 10KW Class 2 constant current regulator (240

VAC)

1 x Ford F-250 4 x 16 ft Enclosed Trailers

2 x BYK Gardner 45/0 Gloss Spectrophotometers

1 x L828 Manairco 10 KW Class 1 constant current regulator (240

VAC)

1 x Freightliner Sprinter 2 x 26 ft Open Car Trailers

1 x DELTA Marking Thickness Gauge

1 x L828 Multi-Electric 10 KW Class 1 constant current regulator (240

VAC)

1 x Chevy Suburban 1 x 40 ft Tri-axle Enclosed Trailer

1 x Elcometer 456 Thickness Gauge

1 x L828 Crouse Hinds 10 KW Class 1 constant current regulator (240

VAC)

1 x Chevy K2500

Various specialized electrical diagnostic equipment, calibration, and measurement devices

1 x L-829 Liberty Airport Systems 30KW Ferroresonant Class 1 constant current regulator with 480VAC with 24 VDC

1 x Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

4 x L-829 Liberty Airport Systems 10KW Ferroresonant Class 1 constant current regulator with 480VAC with 24 VDC

1 x Freightliner Tractor Semi-Truck

1 L-829 Liberty Airport Systems 4KW Ferroresonant Class 1 constant current regulator with 480VAC with 24 VDC

1 x Airstair vehicle Numerous variable and adjustable voltage transformers

1 x Yale Forklift Numerous hand and power tools

1 x Manitou Forklift Numerous electrical diagnostic tools

1 x JLG Telehandler Numerous specialized tools

1 x Crown Electric Forklift

Numerous airport lighting fixtures, bulbs, equipment in FAA inventory

2 x Polaris Ranger Utility Vehicles Numerous other items and equipment 1 x Airstair 1 x Aircraft Tug 1 x Elliptical Aircraft Refueler Truck

1 x Genie Scissor Lift 14 x Various power output small engine generators

1 x Large Industrial Ice Chipping Machine

25 x Boss Bicycles

4. General Requirements

The Contractor will provide all necessary personnel, materials, facilities and services, except as stated otherwise, to accomplish all work in support of the SOW. The Contractor personnel must perform project management, engineering, field installations, maintenance, and writing technical documents. The Contractor must conduct research, testing, and evaluation activities without direct supervision/direction. The Contractor will be required to travel frequently to multiple airports, testing/evaluation locations, and for meetings. The Contractor personnel must obtain and maintain an ACY airport security badge (with driving privileges on the airport movement and non-movement areas) at the airport. The Contractor personnel will be deploying, monitoring, troubleshooting, and removing complex equipment on an airfield. The Contractor personnel must have proficient knowledge and understanding of the National Airspace System (NAS), Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139 - Certification of Airports, FAA Advisory Circulars, FAA Orders, FAA CertAlerts, FAA Engineering Briefs, other FAA guidance documents, FAA air traffic policies and procedures and the airport operations environment. The Contractor will manage a diverse, complex, fast-paced, and highly visible FAA program portfolio. It is anticipated that the Contractor must have multiple skill sets, areas of discipline, labor force, areas of expertise, and support to fully accomplish the Task Areas in this SIR. The Contractor is responsible for managing and controlling all subcontracts to ensure work performance is in accordance with the standards set forth in this contract.. Work must be performed as required by task orders issued under this contract. The task orders will identify the scope, specific requirements, and deliverable items. All task orders will be issued in accordance with Section G.7 of this

SIR.

4.1. Program Management

The Contractor will have a Program Manager that will have responsibilities of performing the day-to-day and long-term project planning, scheduling, manage personnel, manage subcontracts and reporting of the work to be performed by the support staff under the requirements of this task. They will be responsible for setting up monthly meetings with the FAA Project Manager.

This function may require the performance of some technical responsibilities in the execution of the research activities listed under this Statement of Work.

4.2. Technician Requirements

Technicians under this SOW will be required to perform a variety of tasks such as welding, fabricating, electrical tasks, mechanical tasks, carpentry tasks, installation of sensors, sketch diagrams, and troubleshooting. Examples of welding types used in fabrication projects may include metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG), and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) known as “Stick”, welding.

Fabrication tasks may include the use of equipment such as drill presses, metal breaks, lathes, metal punches, hand & power tools, and other common metal fabricating equipment. Electrical tasks will include but are not limited to 120/240 VAC work or higher, 12/24 VAC/VDC work, wiring sensors, data acquisition systems, solid state relays, constant current circuits, electrical troubleshooting, understanding circuitry & electrical theory, etc. Mechanical tasks may include but are not limited to the operation of various pieces of equipment FAA, operate small engine equipment, fix/troubleshoot issues with equipment, etc. Technicians will setup and tow a variety of FAA trailers for task order requirements. Forklift and man lift operation will also be required with annual training being performed in-house by FAA Safety Office personnel. Other on-the-job training such as fall protection, CPR and confined space operations will also be provided by the FAA Safety Office.

4.3. Work Outside Regular Hours

Except as may otherwise be specified, all work must be performed during the Government's regular working hours of 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday on non-Federal holidays. If the Contractor has to work on Saturday, Sunday, Federal holidays, or outside regular working hours, a request must be submitted in writing to the COR, giving as much advanced notice as practicable, but no less than 48 hours. Upon approval from the COR, if work is required outside of the regular work hours, the contractor may allow comparable time off to keep the hours to a normal 40 hour work week, which can also be averaged out over multiple weeks when necessary, so that there will be no additional charge to the Government.

4.4. Branch Support

The work described in this SOW is one of many programs that make up the ATRD Program portfolio.

These programs and projects intersect frequently. As such, the Contractor may be required to provide support on other FAA research program areas not specified in this SOW. This work will be assigned on a case-by-case basis by the Airport Technology Research and Development Branch, through technical direction issued by the COR and/or CO. Any additional work will not affect the total number of hours provided for in this contract. Invoicing for such work will follow the Contractor’s normal invoicing procedures, no special process will be required.

5. Specific Requirements

5.1. FAA Research Taxiway

The FAA ATRD Branch has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Delaware River Bay Authority (DBRA) to conduct research utilizing newly reconstructed Taxiway C, also referred to as the FAA Research Taxiway, at the Cape May Airport (WWD) in Erma, New Jersey. This MOA grants the FAA ATRD the “right to construct, operate and maintain Research Infrastructure” at

WWD.

The Research Taxiway is intended to be a single site to design, test, evaluate, monitor, and report on the performance of state-of-the-art airport safety and pavement technologies. The Research Taxiway is approximately 3,250 ft long and has a pavement width of 150 ft. The taxiway has a state-of-the-art lighting system vault with six (6) constant current regulators that powers a full array of taxiway and runway lights on the Research Taxiway that allows ATRD researchers to evaluate various different types of light fixtures, lighting configurations, electrical infrastructure, and other research topics. There are currently 142 in-pavement light can bases for runway edge lighting, runway centerline lights, clearance lights, touchdown zone lights, takeoff hold lights, runway entrance lights, runway guard lights, and taxiway centerline lights.

The Contractor must operate, inspect, and maintain the FAA Research Taxiway and its associated facilities and grounds at Cape May County Airport (WWD), which includes, but is not limited to:

conducting inspections; routine maintenance; planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction activities; coordinating research activities with DRBA; and updating and maintaining documentation related to the research taxiway.

5.2. FAA Experimental MALSR at Atlantic City International Airport, Runway 4

The FAA ATRD owns and operates an experimental MALSR for test and evaluation purposes on Runway 4 at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). The experimental MALSR has circuitry and controls to manually change the lighting configurations compared to a standard MALSR. This system has been used for flight evaluations observing and documenting different types of lamps, varying configurations, and other research topics. FAA ATRD is working with other FAA organizations in the design, engineering, and replacement of the current MALSR with a new experimental MALSR. The Contractor must operate, inspect, and maintain the FAA experimental MALSR which includes, but is not limited to: conducting inspections; routine maintenance; planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction activities; coordinating research activities with stakeholders; and updating and maintaining documentation related to the MALSR.

5.3. Experimental Heliport Facility

The FAA ATRD owns and operates an experimental heliport facility located at ACY. The facility is comprised of two (2) heliports used for FAA research topics and vertical flight operations. A standard heliport with a heliport approach lighting system, and an experimental raised deck heliport with configurable light can bases. The lighting systems are powered by constant current regulators located near the facility. The Contractor must operate, inspect, and maintain the experimental heliport facility which includes, but is not limited to: conducting inspections; routine maintenance; planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction activities; coordinating research activities with stakeholders;

and updating and maintaining documentation related to the heliport facility.

5.4. Photometric Laboratory

The Contractor must provide services to operate and maintain the FAA Photometric Laboratory located at the FAA WJHTC, Building 296. This includes scheduling, performing occasional tests, analyzing data, and delivering results to the FAA. The Contractor may be required to have photometry, colorimetry, or other performance tests performed by an accredited lab(s) for items that cannot be tested at the FAA’s photometric lab or under the FAA’s agreement with RPI. The Contractor will be expected to work closely with accredited lab(s), RPI, other parties in coordination with the FAA. The Contractor must be proficient in the use of photometric equipment used for testing chromaticity, candela, infrared, and color temperature. The Contractor must operate, inspect, and maintain the Photometric Laboratory which includes, but is not limited to: conducting inspections; routine maintenance; asset tracking, planning, coordinating, and overseeing activities; coordinating research activities with stakeholders; and updating and maintaining documentation related to the laboratory. List of current FAA Photometric Laboratory equipment:

FAA Photometric Laboratory Equipment & Accessories Photo Research PR900 TRU8 2D Imaging Colorimeter Photo Research Spectra Scan PR-655 spectroradiometer Photo Research Pritchard PR-810Ltelephotometer The Spectral Evolution model PSR 3500, infrared (IR) spectroradiometer Thor Labs PDA36A The Minolta Handheld Luminance Meter LS 100 Ocean Optics Peak Wavelength Meter Newport Lab Integrating Sphere Thor Optical Table Isolators PBG 12110 Newport Optical bench Kikisui DC power supply, model 40-30 (40V-30A) Chroma AC power supply 61502 Agilent Digital Voltmeter 34401A The Agilent Oscilloscope Fluke 190-204/AM/S Scope Meter, 200 MHz, 4 channels Fluke 87 Multimeter Thor Labs 8” Adjustable Iris Aperature Filter Mount for 2" Square Optics Optical Post Mounts Horizontal and Vertical Rotating Stage/Table Heavy-Duty Switchable Magnetic Base Multiple dedicated Photometric Laboratory PCs Multiple Lens, Filter, and Tube for supporting accessories Project PCs with Windows OS

5.5. Deliverables

Except as provided for below, specific performance periods, deliverable item requirements, and delivery dates for all task orders placed pursuant to this contract must be established at the time any such task order is awarded. All deliverables must be submitted by email to the CO and Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Secured large file transfer sites may be used for downloads. FAA servers are limited to a total of a 10 MB email size. All written deliverables must be delivered in electronic format in Microsoft Office 2010 or later applications, or other method approved by the COR. Preparation of the reports must be in accordance with existing DOT and FAA directives, orders and policies. In addition, reports must be compliant with FAA Order 1370.120, Section 508 Accessibility Policy. The FAA will provide report templates and sample reports. For those requirements common to all task orders the following delivery provisions are established:

• Performance Plan - As mutually determined between the contracting parties, but no later than 30 calendar days after issuance of a task order.

• Monthly Progress Reports - Letter-style technical progress reports must be submitted to the FAA

COR by email. These reports are to provide the following information: The contract and task order numbers and the title and/or basic subject of the Order being reported on; a summary of pertinent technical progress during the reporting period, including the results of any quarterly period, whether positive or negative; technical conclusions achieved as a result of the foregoing accomplishments, and recommendations made therefrom; special problem areas (if any) and either proposed solution(s) therefore or resolution thereof; a summary of pertinent support-oriented meetings or briefings held between the Contractor and the FAA technical staff, cognizant FAA officials, or other parties of an interest or expert nature within either the public or private sectors; workshops or seminars conducted or attended; and a brief projection of work expected to be accomplished during the next reporting period.

5.6. Contractor Provided Vehicle and Tools/Equipment

The Contractor must supply a company truck (minimum one ¾ ton pickup truck) to accomplish the Task Areas of this contract. The Contractor company truck must be ready for use within 120 days after the start of the contract at no cost to the Government. The Contractor is required to use their own truck first prior to using a Government vehicle for transportation between buildings, picking up and delivering equipment/materials and travel to off-site locations. The truck is required to have the company logo displayed on the vehicle, be properly equipped with tow hitch, markings, warning lights, insurance, and aviation two-way radio suitable for operating on an airport. The Contractor must meet any additional ACY insurance and vehicle requirements. The trucks must have successfully passed state inspection and emission requirements and have a current, valid registration. All markings, maintenance, repairs, fuel, insurance and registrations are the responsibility of the Contractor. Vehicles must be in good working order at all times. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to furnish a replacement vehicle(s) to ensure that the vehicle(s) are available at all times. All motor vehicles operated by the Contractor, its employees and sub-contractors and suppliers within the boundaries of the Technical Center's property must be registered with the Security Office and owners will be required to demonstrate adequate liability insurance coverage. A currently valid State registration and Driver's license will be required for registration.

The FAA will provide tools and equipment necessary to accomplish the objectives of the specific task orders under this SOW. The Contractor must recommend tools, equipment, or specialty items to the FAA if they are required. The Contractor is responsible for the safe use and care of FAA provided materials, tools and equipment.