As we�ve discussed, over the next few weeks there will be several congressional efforts to address the concerns of NAATS and its membership. Ultimately these efforts will result in corrective legislation.
Attached to this memo you will find the first of these initiatives - a congressional letter to the FAA Administrator stating concerns regarding the sealing of the vendor bids, evaluation methodology used on these bids and other possible irregularities, not the least of which is how the workforce is being treated.

I ask that you circulate this memo as well as the congressional letter to our membership. We ask that our membership contact their congressional representatives and solicit their support in signing this letter. The contact point for congressional questions is Senior Legislative Assistant Auke Mahar-Piersma for Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He can be reached at 202-225-5871.

As I stated earlier, this is just the first of a number of congressional initiatives. Grassroots support will be critical to our success.
 

Dear Administrator Marion C. Blakey

The February 1, 2005 Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) A-76 Performance Decision has raised a number of congressional concerns regarding the process used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Among these are concerns on how the vendor bids were evaluated, how risk was assigned to these bids and the propriety of the relationship between the FAA and the winning vendor. Adversely affected employee accommodations also seem unresolved by the FAA at this time. Up to this time the vendor bids haven been sealed and this has precluded any congressional oversight.

Obviously all agency competitions, regardless of whether they are termed "A-76" or "acquisitions", are subject to congressional scrutiny and review. Accordingly, please furnish the following information by April 1:

1. Unedited copies of the various vendor bids.
    

2. How and by whom the FAA evaluated these bids.
    

3. The methodology used to assign risk to these bids and the risk values.
    

4. Exactly what offers of employment, including associated time frames, adversely affected employees will receive. Specifically, what offers will be extended to employees at the 38 sites scheduled to close under the vendor plan.
    

5. Does the FAA intend to offer career transition assistance, as required by Part 330 of Title 5, to all adversely affected employees?
    

6. Does the FAA intend to apply HRPM EMP-1.9 Priority Placement for all adversely affected employees?
    

7. How does the FAA intend to correct the identified retirement concerns for those employees who will substantially lose their contributions to FERs and CSRS when the transition begins on October 1?
    

8. The FAA has repeatedly acknowledged the controller staffing shortage in the centers and terminals. Does the FAA intend to allow the adversely affected employees to transfer into these positions to alleviate this shortage? If so, do you intend to assign limitations on which employees can transfer?
    

9. Under what circumstances does the FAA intend to pay severance pay to the adversely affected employees? What formula will be applied to these payments?

This matter is of great concern to us. Your prompt reply is necessary and appreciated.

Members of Congress