2 Candidates Emerge to Lead Massive ATC Overhaul

Many of the FAA’s usual partners did not bid for the project.

Zach Vasile

Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

An air traffic control tower in San Francisco [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Only two companies, Peraton and Parsons (the latter bidding with IBM), are vying for the prime integrator role to manage the massive overhaul of the nation's aging air traffic control (ATC) system.
The selected integrator will oversee a multibillion-dollar project to replace outdated equipment, integrate over 100 computer systems, and construct new ATC centers and towers.
The FAA expects to choose a winner by the end of October, with the project funded by $12.5 billion (and potentially up to $19 billion) from Congress, aiming for completion by 2028 due to increasing urgency from recent ATC failures.

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Just two companies are vying for the massive job of upgrading the nation’s aging air traffic control (ATC) system, according to a Reuters report.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed to the news outlet that only two companies are in the running for the role of “prime integrator,” which will manage the multibillion-dollar project and parcel out work to numerous technology, construction, and logistics subcontractors.