Accelerated Transformation of Legacy Applications and Systems (ATLAS) Challenge Based Acquisition (ChBA)

Quick Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting a Challenge Based Acquisition (ChBA) for the Accelerated Transformation of Legacy Applications and Systems (ATLAS). This multi-phase initiative seeks innovative IT solutions to modernize the FAA's mission-support application portfolio, reduce technical debt, and enhance security and user experience. Phase 1 responses are due by March 10, 2026.

Purpose & Overview

The FAA aims to rationalize, consolidate, modernize, and sustain its application environments. The core objectives are to reduce technical debt, improve user experience, enhance security and resiliency, and achieve long-term cost efficiencies while ensuring operational continuity and safety. The ChBA process involves demonstrating technical capabilities through rigorous challenges across multiple phases, leading to potential contract award.

Scope of Work

The primary scope includes supporting and modernizing the FAA's mission support portfolio, which comprises approximately 200 applications and 3,000 databases. The scope may extend to modernization and sustainment across the entire FAA. The anticipated period of performance is ten (10) years, including options. Key objectives include:

• Portfolio Modernization and Technical Debt Reduction: Transitioning to modular, scalable, cloud-native architectures, leveraging AI/ML.
• User Experience (UI/UX): Embedding human-centered design and ensuring accessibility.
• High-Availability Mission Operations: Maintaining 99.9% availability, resilient disaster recovery, and automated sustainment.
• Accelerated Value Delivery via DevSecOps: Rapid, iterative releases, enhanced software quality, and integration of Generative AI.
• Enterprise Data Excellence and Intelligent Automation: Unified data sources, actionable insights, and AI/ML for predictive insights.
• Proactive Cyber Security and Compliance: Continuous authorization to operate (cATO), rapid vulnerability remediation, and AI-assisted threat detection.
• Program Governance: Alignment with FAA standards and responsible AI/ML use.
• Seamless Service Transition: Uninterrupted mission support and knowledge transfer.

Contract & Timeline

• Opportunity Type: Solicitation (Challenge Based Acquisition - ChBA)
• Product Service Code: DA01 - Application Development and Support Services
• Phases:
  1. Phase 1: Corporate Experience & Concept Paper (Submission due March 10, 2026)
  2. Phase 2: Rationalization Approach (Industry Day, detailed approach submission)
  3. Phase 3: Modernization Factory Execution (Demonstrate tools and approach)
  4. Phase 4: Production Vehicle (Contract award based on performance)
• Anticipated Award: By September 30, 2026
• Questions Due: February 24, 2026
• Phase 1 Response Due: March 10, 2026 (9:00 PM ET)
• Published Date: February 17, 2026

Eligibility & Evaluation

• Set-Aside: None specified.
• Eligibility: Offerors must be prime contractors; subcontractor experience is not considered. Minimum corporate experience requirements include: prime contract, ongoing or within the past 3 years, primarily IT System Development/Operations/Maintenance/Modernization services, U.S. Federal or State Government contract, and an annual dollar amount of at least $10M.
• Evaluation: Phase 1 responses will be evaluated using a Self-Score Worksheet (Attachment 2) and a Corporate Experience Form (Attachment 3). The top ten (10) Offerors from Phase 1 will proceed to Phase 2. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 are equally weighted for the down-select decision.

Constraints & Requirements

All work products, including source code, are the exclusive property of the FAA. Solutions must adhere to FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS), NIST 800-53, and FAA Order 1370.121. Work may be performed at contractor facilities, FAA Headquarters, or regional centers.

Contact Information

Primary Contact: Daniel Farrell (ssdrfi@faa.gov) Secondary Contact: Eric Waterman (ssdrfi@faa.gov)