Air Traffic Control Simulator

The School Board of Polk County, Florida has issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for a comprehensive Air Traffic Control Simulator, seeking a qualified firm to provide a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) training system. The procurement encompasses a 5-Channel Tower Simulator with specific hardware and software configurations, including one Tower Instructor position, three Controller positions, two Pseudo Pilot positions, and associated software licenses. The system requires eleven desktop PCs, five 75" LED monitors, high-performance graphics cards, noise-canceling headsets, a network switch, and a controller joystick. Deliverables include visual databases for FAA Academy and Bartow Airport, software adaptation, onsite installation, training, user manuals, system configuration support, and virtual software training. The bid was released on August 16, 2024, with electronic submissions due on September 5, 2024, at 3:00 PM ET, and the contract term is planned for three years from approximately September 13, 2024, to September 13, 2027. Evaluation criteria appear to focus on technical capabilities, past performance, and comprehensive solution offerings.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though various compliance documents suggest a commitment to fair and transparent procurement practices. The bid was ultimately awarded to UFA Inc. from Burlington, Massachusetts, with a total bid price of $280,000.00. The procurement includes several mandatory compliance certifications, such as Drug-Free Workplace Certification, Debarment and Suspension Certification, and Independent Pricing Determination. The contract includes options for extended software maintenance and support, including annual virtual refresher training and a minimum of one remote software update every two years. No incumbent vendor is mentioned, and the system appears to be a new implementation without specified integration requirements. The School Board reserves the right to adjust pricing after the initial contract term based on the Consumer Price Index, with adjustments limited to the inflation rate.