July 15, 2015 AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NOTICE OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH AN AIR TRANSPORTATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE:
Following a Notice of Public Meeting to discuss the FAA Center of Excellence (COE) for Technical Training and Human Performance, the FAA will make available

credit:

a Solicitation.

SUMMARY:
In Fiscal Year 2016, the FAA will form a COE for Technical Training and Human Performance.

The COE will be a consortium of the FAA, university partners, and private industry affiliates selected by the FAA Administrator to work collectively on issues of mutual interest and concern.

Prior to the Public Meeting, a Draft Solicitation will be available.

This document will describe fully the areas to be included in the COE and the requirements of the FAA COE Program.

Additionally, the FAA will discuss COE and technical requirements at the Public Meeting to be conducted on October 21-22, 2015 in Arlington, VA.

The Draft Solicitation will be discussed at that time, and a period of public comment will follow.

The FAA will accept suggestions and revise the Draft Solicitation in an attempt to issue a Final Solicitation by December 201 5.

Potential applicants are encouraged, but are not required, to attend the Public Meeting.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
The COE will be selected on the ability of the applicant to meet the following criteria mandated by Congress:
—The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities.

—The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out the intent of the legislation.

—The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems.

—The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program.

—The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a statewide or region-wide continuing education program.

—The research projects that the applicant proposes to carry out under the grant.

Note:
The FAA will develop specific projects.

After selection of the COE members, the COE universities will submit final proposals, which will be evaluated and funded initially through grant awards.

After the initial grants are awarded, the proposals will be funded throughout the life of the COE through both grants and contracts.

TOPIC AREAS:
The FAA’s COE for Technical Training and Human Performance will conduct research and development mainly on technical training in the air transportation environment.

Training will include issues among personnel such as air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspectors, airway transportation systems specialists, engineers, pilots, and technicians.

Major areas of study will include the following:
1.

Technical training programs and capabilities, including how training is conducted, that could be applied in the aviation environment.

2.

New training technologies, such as course content development, mobile learning, delivery and management systems, and integration of simulation capabilities.

3.

How the curriculum is analyzed and managed as well as ways to improve techniques to manage learner data.

4.

Changes in learner expectations and academic best practices for training a new generation of learners.

5.

Modernized approaches and technologies that will meet the agency’s training needs and strategic goals.

6.

Administration of developmental and advanced training of the next generation of aviation professionals.

The FAA anticipates the COE will attract interest from other federal and non-federal organizations willing to join with the agency to address various unique and difficult issues related to training aviation professionals.

Non-federal organizations may be considered as affiliate members by the COE core universities and may contribute to and receive funding from the COE.

CONTACTS:
Contact Patricia.Watts@faa.gov for further information regarding the COE Program or visit the COE website at www.faa.gov/go/coe.

To register for the COE Public Meeting or to request a copy of the Draft Solicitation, contact Christine.CTR.Madden@faa.gov.

AWARD DATE:
The FAA Administrator is expected to announce the final selection of the Center of Excellence in 201 6.

ISSUED:
In Atlantic County, New Jersey, on July 15, 2015 ### ==============================================================