|

OIG: FAA Fulfilled AARA

ACTION: FAA Fulfilled Most ARRA Requirements in Awarding Airport Grants Federal Aviation Administration Report Number AV-2011-053
From: JeffreyB.Guzzetti Assistant Inspector General
for Aviation and Special Program Audits

February 17, 2011
JA-10
Memorandum
On February 17, 2009, the President signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),1 designating $1.1 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) projects. These funds were intended for airport projects that could achieve several key goals, including investing in transportation infrastructure to provide long-term economic benefits, create jobs, and promote economic recovery. ARRA established tight timeframes for distributing and expending funds and emphasized preference for projects that could be completed in 2 years.

In August 2009, we issued an advisory to the Office of the Secretary outlining our concerns with FAA’s process for awarding ARRA grants.2 We questioned the economic merit of some lower scoring projects and highlighted several ARRA recipients with grant management problems identified in prior single audit reports.3 Based on these preliminary findings, we initiated this audit to determine the extent to which FAA’s process for awarding ARRA grants complied with ARRA requirements and other associated guidance.4 We conducted this audit from September 2009 through December 2010 in accordance with government

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111–5 (2009). OIG Advisory Number AA-2009-003, “FAA’s Process for Awarding ARRA Airport Improvement Program Grants,” August 6, 2009. OIG reports are available on our website: www.oig.dot.gov. Single audit is a mechanism relied upon by Executive Branch agencies to oversee financial compliance and grant 4 assurances. For the purpose of this report, we define “requirements” as a collective term to refer to ARRA statutory requirements, Presidential direction, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and FAA guidance related to ARRA implementation.

Read the entire PDF here

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    Anniversary of Bhoja Air Crash

    The anniversary of a plane crash is always a sad day;

    It is a day few people recall if they didn’t lose someone;

    It is a day remembered by children as the moment they found themselves orphaned–and mothers and fathers who found themselves without a child; and husbands and wives who found themselves widowed.

    It is a day with consequences that reverberate through the lives of those affected like ripples in a pond–except that ripples in a pond eventually come to rest, and the victims of a crash will be victims forever.

    We remember the day Bhoja Air crashed. It was en route from Karachi to Islamabad, with 121 passengers and 6 crew.

    The owner of Bhoja Air remembers too, and the FIA is not likely to let him forget:

    FIA Sindh Director Muazzam Jah Ansari said Bhoja Air owner Farooq Bhoja was taken into custody for questioning during the Bhoja Air plane crash and was released on Sunday after initial investigation.

    Farooq Bhoja was not arrested. His office was raided and the FIA seized official documents.

    Press Release Below:

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Northrop Grumman Delivers Europe’s First Runway Status Light Control System at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris

    LONDON — Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Europe-based air traffic management subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, has been awarded a contract to provide a Runway Status Light (RWSL) Control System for Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, the first European airport to implement this safety feature.

    The RWSL Control System is an automated system that warns aircraft and vehicles if it is safe to enter or cross runways through a series of lights embedded in the pavement. The contract, awarded by Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne — Direction de la Technique et l’Innovation (DSNA-DTI) of France, is to be completed by end of 2011.

    “Winning this first European RWSL contract is a major achievement which confirms Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems’ position as the leading supplier of advanced air traffic control surveillance systems,” said Eldar Hauge, managing director for Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems in Norway. “We are already a leading European supplier of Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS) for some of the largest airports in Europe and Asia Pacific. RWSL can be offered as an upgrade to any A-SMGCS, regardless of make, and will give Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems a competitive edge in projects where RWSL is a requirement.”

    Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems is also supplying the A-SMGCS which connects to the RWSL Control System, offering the best technical solution and providing added safety to busy international airports.

    The A-SMGCS comprises the NOVA 9000 display processing system and surface movement radar. NOVA 9000 delivers enhanced air traffic control capabilities and ensures air traffic controllers have a clear view of ground movements under normal and low visibility operations.

    With a 50-year legacy in air traffic management systems ranging from individual airport installations to countrywide, multiple-site turnkey integrated system solutions, Northrop Grumman’s state-of-the-art air traffic management systems are operationally controlling air traffic in numerous countries around the world including recent major programmes in: Norway, Brazil, Qatar, Oman, Canada, India, Poland, UAE, U.S. and the U.K., in both civil and military applications.

    Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, based in Oslo and Horten, Norway, and in Peterborough, U.K., supplies air traffic management systems for air-space operations worldwide.

    Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • NTSB OFFERING ROTORCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION COURSE AT TRAINING CENTER NEAR WASHINGTON

    The National Transportation Safety Board has developed a
    five-day course in rotorcraft accident investigation that
    will be delivered at its training center near Washington in
    August.

    The course, which has been in development for more than a
    year, was designed to provide investigators from regulatory
    authorities, investigative agencies, private industry, and
    potential parties to an NTSB investigation, an overview of
    the procedures, methods and skills required to perform a
    comprehensive rotorcraft accident investigation.

    The training will be offered August 16-20, 2010, at the NTSB
    Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia.

    Examples from recently concluded investigations will be used
    to illustrate particular aspects of the investigative
    process. Case studies may include midair collisions, in-
    flight fires, in-flight break-ups, and weather-related
    accidents.

    Those interested in learning more should see the complete
    description of the training, registration information, and
    cost to attend at:
    http://www.ntsb.gov/TC/CourseInfo/AS102_2010.htm

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights in the Northeast Region This Week

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM
    CHICAGO, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast region. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles and Continental’s hub at New York / Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Dec. 25 through Dec. 27. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast region may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at www.united.com and www.continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    NASA SELECTS UNISYS FOR SIMULATION, AIRCRAFT TECHNICAL SERVICES

    HAMPTON, Va. — NASA has selected the Unisys Corp. in Reston, Va., to provide simulation and aircraft technical services for the agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

    The cost-plus-fixed-fee award is valued at $48.5 million over a three-year base period with one two-year option.

    Unisys will provide simulation-related hardware and software technology support services, including analysis, development, verification, validation, operations, maintenance, modification and systems integration for Langley flight simulation facilities and research aircraft systems.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    FAA Dedicates New Airport Traffic Control Tower for LaGuardia Airport

    For Immediate Release
    January 21, 2011

    NEW YORK–The Federal Aviation Administration today dedicated a new airport traffic control tower for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) that will replace the one that has served the airport since 1964. In 2010, air traffic controllers at LGA handled nearly 400,000 takeoffs and landings.

    “LaGuardia Airport plays an important role in our country’s aviation infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This modern tower will help enhance the safety and efficiency of air travel in and out of the New York metropolitan area.”

    The tower will be equipped with the latest aviation technology, including the Airport Surface Detection System Model X (ASDE-X), which allows controllers to track surface movement of aircraft and vehicles. Controllers will also be using the Integrated Control and Monitoring System (ICMS), which consolidates information including navigational aid displays into one screen.

    “Today marks a culmination of years of hard work by many people both inside and outside the FAA,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This tower symbolizes the direction the FAA is taking by transforming the future of aviation with new technology.”

    The new 233-foot high tower is 82 feet higher than the previous tower and has an 850 square foot tower cab. The total cost to design, equip, and construct the new tower was approximately $100 million.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.