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 (bidding with IBM), are competing for the "prime integrator" role to manage the extensive upgrade of the nation's aging air traffic control (ATC) system.
Many larger contractors decided not to bid directly due to the project's complexity, opting instead to work as subcontractors for the chosen prime integrator.
The FAA expects to select a winner by the end of October for the multi-billion dollar project, which has an initial budget of $12.5 billion and aims for completion by 2028 due to recent ATC failures and outdated infrastructure.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.