Market Survey Announcement for Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Ground Transponder System

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Requirements Verification Matrix template for the DME Spec FAA-E-37015. It is intended to be used by vendors to document their compliance with specific requirements related to the DME System Performance Specification, in response to a 2026 Market Survey.

The matrix includes columns for:

• Requirement Identifier (e.g., 3.1.1-a)
• Compliance Level ([Exceeds/Meets/Partially Meets/Does Not Meet])
• Verification Status ([Yes/No/Partially Verified])
• Verification Method ([Inspection (I) / Analysis (A) / Demonstration (D) / Test (T)])
• Comments/Rationale

Vendors responding to the opportunity should use this template to detail how their proposed solution meets each specified requirement. This matrix is crucial for demonstrating compliance and will likely be a key component of the technical evaluation. Bidders must carefully fill out each section to accurately reflect their product's capabilities and verification methods.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses from the FAA to vendor questions regarding the FAA-E-37016 DME Ground Transponder Systems Performance Specification. It serves to clarify requirements and provide additional information to potential bidders.

• Specification Reference: The document is specifically related to the FAA-E-37016 DME Ground Transponder Systems Performance Specification.
• Format: The provided text is a table intended to list questions from vendors and the FAA's responses, along with relevant section and page numbers from the specification.
• Content: As presented, the table is empty, indicating that no specific questions or answers have been populated in this version of the document.

As the Q&A table is currently empty, there are no specific clarifications or changes to the solicitation requirements, due dates, or submission rules at this time based on this document.

Performance Specification

This document, FAA-E-37016, establishes the performance, design, test, manufacture, and acceptance requirements for solid-state ground station Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) systems, specifically the DME/N type known for its narrow spectrum characteristics. It details the operational requirements for the DME transponder, including its ability to operate with various antenna types, produce and radiate Morse Code identification signals, receive and decode interrogation signals, and radiate properly coded reply pulse pairs with specific delay times. The specification also outlines requirements for system characteristics, applicable documents, environmental operating conditions (non-operating and operating), lightning protection, and electromagnetic compatibility. Detailed requirements are provided for the transponder's operating channels, RF tuning, channel frequency and stability, duplexer, receiver and associated circuitry, transmitter and associated circuitry, and antenna specifications. Furthermore, it covers monitor functions, control, status, and indicator functions, remote maintenance monitoring, data security, and system design characteristics such as maintainability, reliability, modular construction, and accessibility. The document also specifies verification methods, general procedures for testing, and specific environmental and electromagnetic compatibility test procedures. Appendices include DME frequency channelization and ICAO Annex 10 compliance matrices.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Market Survey Announcement for Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Ground Transponder Systems issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is not a solicitation or request for proposals, and the FAA will not pay for any information or costs incurred in preparing a response. The purpose is to gather information on commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) DME ground transponder systems to inform the FAA's acquisition planning and strategy for future procurements.

• Purpose: The FAA is seeking to understand the current marketplace for DME ground transponder systems and determine technical capabilities. This survey will help them define acquisition strategies for future procurements.
• Scope: Vendors offering COTS DME ground transponder systems are requested to provide information comparing their products to the requirements outlined in FAA-E-37016, DME Ground Transponder Systems, Performance Specification (dated June 24, 2025).
• Submittal Requirements: Interested vendors must provide:
  • Company description (size, location, business status).
  • Drawings of key DME ground transponder system components.
  • A Requirements Verification Matrix indicating how their product meets or does not meet each requirement from the Performance Specification.
  • Explanation of any unmet or risky requirements.
  • Information on system safety, design assurance levels, and configuration control.
  • How their product complies with the Buy America Act and FAA Buy American Preference.
  • Number of operational systems deployed (US and foreign).
  • Experience with equipment installation.
  • Production capabilities (systems per year).
  • Process for identifying obsolescence issues.
• Submission Deadline: Responses are due by Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Questions Deadline: Questions regarding the survey are due by Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
• Submission Format: Responses should be in a separate Word or PDF file, no smaller than 12-point font, and limited to 70 pages. Submissions must be sent electronically to Michael.E.Jones01@faa.gov and Victor.Jefferson@faa.gov with the subject line "DME Ground Transponder Systems Market Survey."