Request for Information for Innovative Solutions for FAA Application and Database Modernization

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Innovative Solutions for FAA Application and Database Modernization RFI. It clarifies aspects of the acquisition strategy, scope, and requirements.

• RFI Extension: The FAA does not intend to grant an extension to the RFI submission deadline.
• Incumbent: Karsun Solutions is the incumbent for the Software Solution Delivery (SSD) Contract #DTFACT-17-D-00007.
• Application/Database List: The FAA will not provide a list of applications and databases in scope for this RFI. This information may be provided in later phases.
• SSD Acquisition: The new Challenge Based Acquisition (ChBA) will supersede and entirely replace the Software Solution Delivery (SSD) acquisition, which was cancelled and replaced by this ChBA.
• Vehicle Type: The final contract vehicle type (e.g., IDIQ, OTA) has not yet been determined, and the FAA is subject to Acquisition Management System (AMS) policies, not solely FAR.
• Rationalization: Application rationalization has been performed and will continue to evolve. Prioritization varies based on mission/function.
• Cloud Acquisition: The RFI is for services only; it does not explicitly state if cloud will be acquired through the resulting agreements.
• Scope: The current scope encompasses approximately 200 applications and 3,000 databases. The FAA is seeking recommendations for modernization approaches.
• Contract Award: The FAA is targeting contract award in FY26.
• Data Environment Characterization: The FAA will not provide characterization of the legacy data environment (e.g., data volumes, schema stability, data quality) as part of the RFI.

These clarifications refine the understanding of the RFI's scope, the acquisition process, and the types of information vendors should consider when formulating their responses. Key details regarding the incumbent, the scope of applications/databases, and the contract vehicle type have been addressed.

Request for Information (RFI)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this RFI to gather industry input on innovative solutions for FAA application and database modernization. The FAA aims to advance operational excellence and technological innovation by addressing legacy technical debt and complex interoperability requirements. This RFI will inform industry about the FAA's planned Challenge Based Acquisition (ChBA) approach, assess market interest, gather intelligence on capabilities, solicit feedback on risks and constraints, and obtain recommendations for optimal ChBA design and contract/Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) models. This new ChBA will supersede and replace the previously planned Software Solution Delivery (SSD) acquisition, with a scope to support application/database rationalization and modernization across the entire FAA.

The FAA is seeking feedback on the following subjects:

• Acquisition & Award Structure: Recommendations on contracting models (e.g., ChBA, GWACs, OTAs, BPAs) and their advantages/disadvantages.

• Platform and Technology Recommendations: Best platforms, frameworks, and technology stacks for large-scale modernization, including low-code/no-code, cloud deployment, API-driven architectures, and AI/ML tools.

• Challenge Structure and Scenario Design: How to structure the challenge phase to maximize innovation and what technical resources the FAA should provide.

• Timeline and Resource Commitment: Realistic timeframes for demonstrations/prototypes and recommended schedules for challenge phases.

• Participation and Down select Process: Criteria for balancing innovation, technical maturity, and deployment readiness, and the optimal number of down-select phases.

• Evaluation Metrics: Technical and business metrics for multi-phase challenges, AI-assisted development tasks, and characteristics of government-furnished codebase/test environments.

• Cost Assessment, Labor Mix, and Estimating Approaches: Recommendations for cost estimation, workforce mix, and technical enablers, especially for fixed-price contracts/OTAs, and how to measure cost reductions from automation.

• Risks and Lessons Learned: Potential risks, best practices from similar transformations, and ways to strengthen vendor communication and facilitate transition from challenge to full-scale deployment.

• Due Date: Responses are due by January 7, 2026.

• Submission Method: All responses, including any questions, must be submitted to the Contracting Officer, Daniel Farrell, at SSDRFI@faa.gov.

• Page Limit: Responses should not exceed 15 pages.

• Confidentiality: Proprietary or confidential information must be appropriately marked.

• This RFI is for market research purposes only and is not a Screening Information Request (SIR) or a solicitation. No commitment or implied agreement will arise from responding.

• Submission to this RFI does not guarantee eligibility or participation in any future acquisition.

• The FAA will not pay for any costs incurred by vendors in preparing responses to this RFI.

• FAR references are not applicable to the FAA; the FAA operates under its own Acquisition Management System (AMS) policies.