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Audit Reports

Date

FAA’s Acquisition Strategy for Terminal Modernization Is at Risk for Cost Increases, Schedule Delays, and Performance Shortfalls

Requested By
Self-Initiated
Project ID
AV2013097
File Attachment

Since 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working to modernize and standardize the terminal automation systems that air traffic controllers rely on to manage traffic within a 50-mile radius of airports. Now known as the Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement (TAMR) program, this effort is necessary both to replace aging equipment and achieve FAA’s goals to enhance capacity and reduce delays through the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). FAA is currently working on segment 1, phase 3 of TAMR, which aims to install the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) at 11 large terminal facilities.

Our audit found that FAA faces significant risks in developing and implementing the technical requirements for its current terminal modernization effort. Specifically, FAA has yet to identify and finalize all the software and hardware requirements needed to successfully install STARS at the 11 large terminal facilities. In addition, FAA’s final investment decision did not result in a reliable schedule and cost baseline for implementing STARS at these facilities, putting TAMR at risk of further schedule delays and cost growth. For example, FAA’s approved schedule to deploy STARS by 2017 lacks key deployment milestones and completion dates and was not evaluated for risk. In addition, FAA omitted major program cost elements from the cost baseline approved during its final investment decision, such as an estimated $270 million in technical software refresh and modernization costs. FAA concurred with three of our four recommendations to improve FAA’s effectiveness in achieving terminal modernization. FAA partially concurred with one recommendation, and we are requesting additional information for one recommendation.

Recommendations

Closed on
No. 1 to FAA
Develop a requirements document for TAMR Phase 3 Segment 1 to ensure the operational and technical requirements for the 11 large TRACONs are specific, pertinent, and focused on requirements needed to transition CARTS to STARS.
Closed on
No. 2 to FAA
Develop and implement a formal process to effectively manage, budget for, and incorporate new requirements (gaps) as they arise in the terminal modernization acquisition strategy.
Closed on
No. 3 to FAA
Develop a comprehensive approved baseline schedule for TAMR Phase 3, Segment 1 that includes: (a) Initial Operating Capability and Operational Readiness dates for each of the 11 sites that STARS will replace; (b) timeframes for testing and validating new software and hardware requirements to support STARS deployment; and (c) software testing to the maximum extent possible to ensure products are suitable for deployment.
Closed on
No. 4 to FAA
Update, verify, and validate the accurate and complete cost, schedule, and benefits for TAMR Phase 3, Segment 1, as prescribed by AMS.