[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 209 (Friday, October 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67017-67018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26787]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice to Manufacturers of Airport Avian Radar Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. DOT.

ACTION: Notice to Manufacturers of Airport Avian Radar Systems.

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SUMMARY: Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 
must meet the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 50101, Buy American 
Preferences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering 
issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of airport avian radar systems 
that meet the requirements of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5220-25, 
Airport Avian Radar Systems. This notice requests information from 
manufacturers of systems meeting the technical requirements to 
determine whether a waiver to the Buy American Preferences should be 
issued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nancy S. Williams, Airports 
Financial Assistance, APP 501, Room 619, FAA, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-3831.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
manages a Federal grant program for airports called the Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grant recipients must follow 49 U.S.C. 
50101, Buy American Preferences.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 50101(b)(3), the Secretary of Transportation may 
waive the Buy American Preference requirement if the goods are not 
produced in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of 
a satisfactory quality.
    On November 23, 2010, FAA published Advisory Circular (AC) 150/
5220-25, Airport Avian Radar Systems. The AC specified the technical 
requirements for avian radar systems at airports. The FAA is seeking to 
determine if there is a sufficient quantity of airport avian radar 
system manufacturers that are capable of meeting the AC requirements 
produced in the United States. If the FAA cannot find that there are 
USA manufacturers, it will issue a nationwide waiver to the

[[Page 67018]]

foreign manufacturers that it has identified as being capable of 
meeting the technical requirements.
    The purpose of this notice is to request manufacturers, both 
domestic and foreign, to advise FAA of the system that they manufacture 
and whether it can meet the technical requirements. The detailed 
instructions for submitting the qualifications statement, including 
forms, may be found on the FAA Web site at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/procurement/federal_contract_provisions/ at the tab 
entitled, Airport Avian Radar System Request for Qualifications.
    After review, the FAA may issue a nationwide waiver to Buy American 
Preferences for the foreign manufacturers. This ``nationwide waiver'' 
allows the equipment to be used on airport projects without having to 
receive separate project waivers. Having a nationwide waiver allows 
projects to start quickly without have to wait for the Buy American 
analysis to be completed for every project, while still assuring the 
funds used for airport projects under the Act are being directed to 
U.S. manufacturers.
    The items that have been granted a ``nationwide waiver'' can be 
found on the FAA Web site at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/procurement/federal_contract_provisions/ at the tab entitled, 
Equipment Meeting Buy American Requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC, October 11, 2011.
Frank J. San Martin,
Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 2011-26787 Filed 10-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P