VOICE SWITCH HEADSETS (VSHS) AND ACCESSORIES

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a requirement for Voice Switch Headset (VSH) equipment to be used by Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCS) in the conduct of ATC operations. Headsets and handsets interface with current operational FAA voice switching systems and backups.  They will also be required to interface and operate properly with future Voice Communication Systems (VCSs) being acquired and deployed as part of the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS).  These systems provide safety-critical, high quality, intelligible transmission and reception of air-to-ground and ground-to-ground voice communication from/to the air traffic controllers.

VSH equipment is the principal device for ATCS’ to transmit and receive voice communications among pilots, other ATCS’s, and supervisors.  Headsets, handsets, and other ancillary devices interface with FAA voice communications systems (VCS) including voice switching systems, voice over IP communication enterprise (VOICE), and backup communications systems. These communications systems provide standardized connection and power interface as well as independent volume and sidetone controls for the headsets and handsets. Voice transmissions from the ATCS to aircraft using headsets and handsets are enabled by Push-To-Talk (PTT) signaling.

It is anticipated that Commercial Off-The-Shelf products are available that will meet the FAA's specifications (see attached VSH Specification , FAA-P-3015A Draft.) A technical evaluation will be conducted to determine the company that can provide the Best Value to the FAA.

This acquisition will use streamlined acquisition procedures employing best practices for competitive negotiated procurements as authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration Acquisition Management System (AMS) of 1997. The VSH acquisition will establish a contract which will provide an ordering capability to provide modern COTS VSH capability to ATC personnel. The contemplated contract will be for VSH equipment and related support.

The contract(s) may include contract line items (CLINs) for engineering, technical and logistics support employing fixed hourly rates while utilizing a Time-and-Materials pricing arrangement. The contract(s) has a potential duration of five (5) years including a base period of one (1) year with four (4) 1-year options.

This market survey is being issued to request information that will enable the FAA to make a screening decision to determine qualified firms that have the ability to provide these products/services. The FAA reserves the right to add incumbent contractors and/or other sources which meet the criteria and have performed satisfactorily on previous procurements.

The NAICS code applicable to this requirement is 334210- Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing. The business size standard for this NAICS is 1,000 employees.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT:

All vendors responding to this market survey must provide a Capability Statement that addresses the following (in order):

a. Type of products/services provided by your firm, may include specification sheets and brochures.

b. Description of previous contracts for products/services that are similar in scope. Provide detailed information and past performance information for at least three (3) previous contracts including program title, customer name, contract dates, contract value, customer point of contact, and description of work performed.

c. Demonstrate experience/capability for the specific requirements set forth in the attached Draft Specification, with particular attention and detail to the following:

1. Operational Performance (Paragraph 3.2.1)
2. Operational Performance – Power (Paragraph 3.2.1.1.)
3. Headset Operational Performance – Transmit Characteristics (Paragraphs 3.2.2.1.d. and 3.2.2.1.e.)
4. Headset Operational Performance - Transmit Characteristics – Sensitivity (Paragraphs 3.2.2.1.1. and 3.2.2.1.7.1)
5. Headset Operational Performance – Receive Characteristics – Sensitivity (Paragraphs 3.2.2.2.2. and 3.2.2.2.3)
6. Headset Operational Performance – Receive Characteristics – Acoustical Protection (Paragraph 3.2.2.2.6)
7. Amplitude Limiting Test Device (Paragraph 3.1.3.5.1.)
8. Wireless Components (Paragraph 3.1.3.3.)
9. Headset Upper Module (Paragraphs 3.2.8.3.1 and 3.2.8.3.2)

d. Demonstrate experience/capability for the requirements set forth in the attached Draft Statement of Work (SOW).

1. Demonstrate experience/capability with particular attention and detail to Test and Evaluation (C.4.) and Engineering Support (C.5.2.1.1.)

e. Demonstrate experience/capability in product Configuration Management processes.

f. As necessary, demonstrate any alternate or innovative means, methods, or technologies which will seamlessly interface with FAA’s VCS equipment and provide usable and high quality audio performance for the air traffic controller.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

In order to be considered responsive, organizations expressing interest in this matter must provide the following:

a. Capability Statement (as defined above)

Responses to this market survey should be via e-mail to the Contracting Officer using the following e-mail address: jason.m.perry@faa.gov. Responses must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. CST, March  07, 2026.

This market survey is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the FAA to acquire these services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the FAA will arise as a result of submission of responses to this market survey and the FAA's use of such information.