3 FAA Programs Seeing Growth in DME Funding: Part II

by Kevin Shaker, Analyst, Market Intelligence

In 7 FAA Programs Seeing Growth in DME Funding: Part 1 I gave a quick rundown on which Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs had requested larger amounts of development, modernization, and enhancement (DME) funding for their FY16 IT budget. Today I’ll touch on the largest technology priorities within the FAA and their related programs.

APPLICATIONS

FAA’s program with the largest DME increase, DataComm – the organization’s attempt to automate enhancements for air control communication and data linkage between aircraft and ground users – has modeling & simulation requirements that’ll need to be met before its implementation in FY16-17. You’ll want to show how your product can aid in their testing efforts and efficiently meet their rollout deadline. If your company has collaboration solutions, you’ll also want to reach out to DataComm decision makers to indicate how your product can help automate data transfer from aircraft to ground users.

BIG DATA & ANALYTICS

FAA’s Time Based Flow Management (TBFM) program, aimed at decreasing flight delays by using time based metering and other technologies, is looking to acquire analytical tools to include in the creation of their third work package in FY16. If you sell products that can help accurately predict and set up flight patterns, officials working on this program will want to talk to you. Make sure you indicate how your solutions follow the agile method and can help to reorient routes under unexpected conditions.

IT INFRASTRUCTURE

If your company has network management / implementation products you will want to reach out to officials working on the Terminal Automation Modernization Replacement Program (TAMR-P). This program essentially automates terminal functions. In FY14 the program found that terminal radar approach control facilities were not in suitable conditions to transition to TAMR-P. A whole host of technologies will be vital to make sure this transition can happen, including middleware, data integration, and enterprise architecture tools. Program officials are going to have to buy newer routers, servers, and networking software that align with the new infrastructure.

At the FAA, the development, integration, and rollout of NextGen systems remains key. However, there is opportunity for vendors who can’t work with NextGen as well. The FAA recently released an RFI for human resource information systems on March 17. Vendors will want to respond before the response deadline of April 20, 2015. When doing so, indicate how your technology can augment the creation of new human resources information systems.

There are plenty of opportunities within the FAA which are constantly seeking products and assistance from the COTS community. Reach out to the immixGroup Market Intelligence Team to find out how we can help identify FAA targeted opportunities.