Air Traffic Controller Academy Performance & Excellence System (APEX)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) for an Air Traffic Controller Academy Performance & Excellence System (APEX). This initiative seeks concepts and capabilities for a scalable, data-driven system to provide near-real-time visibility into student performance across all phases of Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Academy training. The goal is to enhance training effectiveness, improve retention, and support national staffing requirements. Responses are due by April 20, 2026.
Scope of Capability Sought
The FAA seeks a modern, adaptive solution to serve as an enterprise-level training performance intelligence infrastructure. This system must integrate disparate training data sources into a unified analytics environment, forming a foundational performance intelligence backbone for Academy training operations. Key capabilities include:
- Comprehensive Data Integration: Ingesting data from LMS, exams, simulator grading, instructor rubrics, and remediation.
- Objective-Level Mastery Mapping: Tracking mastery progression against defined objectives.
- Near-Real-Time Analytics Dashboards: Providing individualized, cohort, instructor, and executive-level analytics.
- Error Taxonomy and Trend Analytics: Categorizing errors and supporting root-cause analysis.
- Predictive Analytics: Identifying attrition risks and forecasting performance.
- Instructor Performance Analysis: Analyzing grading patterns and supporting calibration.
- Enterprise Leadership Reporting: Providing metrics on throughput, attrition, and proficiency.
- Technical and Security Requirements: Including FedRAMP compliance and ATO support.
- Scalability and Future Expansion: Ability to handle varying trainee volumes and potential expansion.
- Implementation Approach: Requiring a high-level architecture, data model, timeline, and cost estimates.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: April 20, 2026, by 4 p.m. Eastern time
- Published: March 30, 2026
Submission & Evaluation
This RFI is for market research only and is not a commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The FAA will not pay for information received. Respondents are requested to provide concept papers, limited to 25 pages, identifying real-world solutions and an implementation plan. Responses should be written at a level that can be released publicly, as the FAA will not review proprietary, trade-secret, or confidential information.
Additional Notes
Optional submission materials include demonstration materials and sample dashboards. For inquiries, contact Stephen Shaffer at stephen.c.shaffer@faa.gov.