FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has issued an order accepting the recommendation of a dispute resolution law judge to deny two legal contests over the competitive sourcing initiative (A-76) of flight service stations. This Wednesday-evening decision clears the way for long-awaited flight service modernization.
The FAA told AOPA it would accept the recommendation of Judge Edwin Neill of the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA) to deny protests filed by the union representing flight service employees (NAATS) and by the agency employee group that competed against the successful bidder, Lockheed Martin. The judge determined that the bidding process was fair and that the Lockheed Martin proposal was selected on its merits.
What this means for general aviation pilots is that the FSS modernization process - with its promise of improved service - stays on track, allowing Lockheed Martin to move forward with its scheduled implementation, beginning in October.
"AOPA worked closely with the FAA over a period of three years to make sure that FSS could be modernized in a way that will give pilots better, more responsive service and save money," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The judge's decision to support the outcome is a reminder that the association's time and energy was well spent."
July 21, 2005