Airservices Australia has today announced the release of a Prototype Request for Proposal to collaborate with industry to develop a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) to open up the skies safely and efficiently to new airspace users.
According to a company statement:
“FIMS is a data exchange gateway that will connect Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management (UTM) participants with Australia’s air traffic management system. It will provide important airspace information to airspace users and facilitate the safe, reliable and efficient use of airspace, while also supporting the growth of an open and competitive drone market. Airservices is seeking to work with industry participants in developing a FIMS prototype over coming months to test the provision of a range of government and industry services.
According to the introduction to the tender document:
“For Airservices to prepare to fulfil its legislative requirements as an Air Navigation Service Provider, the Flight Information Management System (FIMS) Prototype procurement will simultaneously seek to select a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) strategic partner, advance the UTM ecosystem within Australia, further inform the Australian Government’s policy with respect to UTM, and provide opportunities for commercialisation of developed technology between UTM companies and Airservices. Building on a Request For Information released in August of 2020, this procurement will provide Airservices with an ability to better understand potential partner capability to deliver a future operational FIMS solution.”
Airservices’ Chief Customer Experience and Strategy Officer said the company has worked closely with government and consulted widely with industry and technical bodies, both in Australia and overseas, to inform our approach to developing a FIMS. “The FIMS is a key step in shaping a future air navigation service which safely integrates traditional aircraft and new users while ensuring the most efficient use of airspace,” Peter Curran said. “We look forward to working together with industry to explore all available opportunities”.
The RFP will be open for four weeks and is available here.
Tender number: ASA RFP 394884709
Responsible Agency: Airservices Australia
Deadline: 27 May 2021 12:00 am (ACT Local Time)
(Image: Airservices Australia)
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