Notice of Intent to Sole Source Symphony OpsVue Subscription

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Office of Aviation Safety and Office of Research and Engineering require rapid and detailed access to aircraft surveillance data (radar, automatic dependent surveillance, multilateration) in support of accident and incident investigations as well as review of incoming Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) anti-collision system notifications from aircraft operators.

In order to satisfy this requirement, the NTSB intends to issue a sole source solicitation to Passur Aerospace, Inc. (Passur) for Symphony OpsVue Software licenses. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) – Soliciting from a single source. The NAICS code for this procurement is 541511 and the Small Business Administration Size Standard is $34M.

L3Harris, formerly Harris Corporation, formerly Exelis, Inc., held a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under its NextGen Air Traffic Control Upgrade project to acquire aircraft surveillance data from a variety of sources including airport surveillance radars, air route surveillance radars, ASDE-X surface radar systems at major airports, as well as other position reports directly broadcast by aircraft.

The company maintains a real-time database of the data received and archives all information for approximately two years. The data is searchable by a variety of criteria and can be downloaded for further analysis if necessary. L3Harris is the FAA’s only vendor for acquisition and distribution of this live surveillance information, and is authorized by the FAA to “commercialize” the data, making a subset of the information received available to non-FAA entities via a Web-based interface.

Because of the unique relationship between L3Harris and the FAA, there are no other companies providing similar real-time access to comprehensive FAA surveillance data. In 2023, L3Harris entered into an agreement with Passur to grant Passur authority to resell the Symphony OpsVue Software. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted.

However, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 10 calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis.

Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to provide rapid and detailed access to aircraft surveillance data (radar, automatic dependent surveillance, multilateration) in support of accident and incident investigations as well as review of incoming Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) anti-collision system notifications from aircraft operators.

Demonstrate the ability to overcome and obtain data that is subject to blocking if the data is obtained from the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) Program. Demonstrate the ability to provide real-time access to comprehensive FAA surveillance data. Information, not to exceed five (5) pages, can be sent via e-mail to Peter M. Hazlinsky, at matt.hazlinsky@ntsb.gov.

Responses received will be evaluated; though, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the NTSB will proceed with the issuance of a sole source solicitation for this requirement to Passur.