CGI, Google team to upgrade FAA’s pilot alert system

CGI Federal has teamed with Google's public sector unit to modernize a system the Federal Aviation Administration uses to alert pilots about potential dangers on their flight paths or at specific locatiosn.

The Notice to Airmen system provides alerts about runway closures, navigation aid outages, temporary flight restrictions and even bird hazards.

CGI is working with Google Public Sector, NG Aviation and Mosaic ATM to upgrade NOTAM so it can have near-real-time data and enable greater collaboration among operators.

Goggle will host the new system in a scalable and secure cloud infrastructure, CGI said Tuesday.

“We are drawing on nearly four decades of our corporate global aviation experience across civil aviation authorities and air traffic management systems worldwide, as well as our expertise in deploying cutting-edge technology for the federal government,” said Alisa Bearfield, senior vice president of CGI Federal's civilian business unit.

NOTAM is part of the FAA’s National Airspace System that comprises all aspects of civilian airspace including air traffic control facilities, airports and navigation systems.

The FAA has neither released a dollar value nor terms for the contract. The agency competed the NOTAM contract under its “Challenge-Based Acquisition” authority, which is similar to an Other Transaction Authority process, according to solicitation documents.

The FAA released a request for concept papers last year, which was followed by a proof of concept and then development of a prototype.

CGI's selection is the fourth and final phase, where the work moves into production and deployment.