The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking designs for control towers that can be built and operated sustainably at regional and municipal airports.
The agency seeks solicitations that will meet operational and cost requirements, maximize energy efficiency, and will be easy to modify according to height needs and can be rapidly constructed.
Nationwide, there are more than 100 aging control towers at regional and municipal airports.
The FAA will use a three-phase approach. Phase one will seek solicitations from architectural and engineering firms and narrow submissions to 15 firms. Phase two will require the 15 selected firms to provide resumes, relevant experience, and financial capabilities, and will select six firms. Phase three will evaluate the design package and cost estimate from the six firms and award a contract to a top-rated applicant.
“For communities large and small, the air traffic control tower is an icon,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “We want architects and engineers from every corner of the country to help build the safe and sustainable towers of the future.”
The FAA will host a webinar on Nov. 9 to answer questions from interested firms before the official solicitation starts. The agency also will raise awareness of the opportunity to minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses.