Harris adds $331M DCIS contract to its FAA stable
- By Mark Hoover
- Sep 21, 2012
Harris Corp. has won a seven-year $331 million Data Communications Integrated Services contract with the Federal Aviation Administration, making this the company’s second large win with the administration in the span of a month.
The company previously won a $291 million NextGen contract at the end of August, for the purposes of meeting future requirements of the U.S. air traffic control system.
Harris, along with the following teammates, will provide integration and engineering services under the contract:
- Adfero Group
- American Airlines
- ARINC
- The Brattle Group
- CGH
- EES
- Egis Avia
- GE
- HCRQ
- NATS
- Sunhillo
- Thales
- Washington Consulting Group
Services will be provided in support of the end-to-end data communications system. This includes management and delivery of data communications services, and leveraging air-to-ground digital data link networks, connecting the administration’s air traffic control sites with data communications-equipped aircraft.
The contract has ten one-year options, which could extend the program’s duration to 2029, if exercised. The Data Communications Integrated Services contract is a key component of the FAA's DataComm program, which, the company said, will ultimately automate many of today’s routine air traffic control and en route communications with specialized data messaging equivalents.
"DCIS lays the groundwork for the move from traditional air traffic control to more active air traffic management," said John O'Sullivan, vice president, Mission Critical Networks, Harris Government Communications Systems.
DataComm is an essential element of the administration’s Next Generation Air Transport System initiative to transform the U.S. air traffic control system, so that it meets future requirements, Harris said. Its objectives are to ensure more reliable air traffic control communications, enable trajectory-based routing and to improve arrival and departure routes, all of which save fuel and reduce emissions.
Harris has a history developing and integrating system solutions for the Federal Aviation Administration in support of the National Airspace System, the company said. It is the prime contractor for the administration’s Telecommunications Infrastructure program, which provides voice, data and video communications for the National Airspace System’s operations and mission support functions.
Other Federal Aviation Administration programs that were developed by Harris include the air traffic Weather and Radar Processor; OASIS; the National Airspace System Voice System; and the Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure program.
About the Author
Mark Hoover is a contributing writer to Washington Technology.