[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 209 (Friday, October 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 67018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26791]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice to Manufacturers of Airport In-Pavement Stationary Runway 
Weather Information Systems

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

ACTION: Notice to Manufacturers of In-Pavement Stationary Runway 
Weather Information 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 Active or Passive In-
Pavement Stationary Runway Weather Information Systems that meet the 
requirements of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5220-30, Airport Winter 
Safety and Operations. 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.
    The purpose of this notice is to request manufacturers of both 
passive and active in-pavement runway surface condition sensor systems, 
both domestic and foreign, to advise FAA of the system that they 
manufacture and whether it can meet the FAA Advisory Circular 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, In-Pavement Runway Surface 
Condition Sensor Systems Request For Qualifications.
    The FAA wants to determine if there is sufficient quantity of 
domestic manufacturers capable of meeting the FAA technical 
requirements. If the FAA cannot find that there are USA manufacturers, 
it will issue a nationwide waiver to the foreign manufacturers 
identified as being capable of meeting the technical requirements.
    Technical Requirements: FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5220-30, 
Airport Winter Safety and Operations recommends that in-pavement runway 
sensor systems comply with the performance and installation 
requirements of SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice 5533, Stationary 
Runway Weather Information System (In-pavement). The SAE specification 
is available for purchase at http://www.sae.org. Because the 
recommendations in an Advisory Circular become mandatory for airports 
using AIP grant funds, an in-pavement runway surface condition sensor 
system project that includes any AIP grant funding must meet the 
requirements of SAE ARP5533.
    After review, the FAA may issue a nationwide waiver to Buy American 
Preferences for foreign manufacturers or United States manufacturers 
that do not meet the Buy American Preference requirements. Waivers will 
not be issued for manufacturers that do not fully meet the technical 
requirements. This ``nationwide waiver'' allows 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.
    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. 2011-26791 Filed 10-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P