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Subj: FW: FAA
Reauthorization and an ATC privatization Date: 6/4/03 7:27:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time -----Original Message----- From: Libby, Roger [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 6:06 PM To: Libby, Roger Subject: FAA Reauthorization and an ATC privatization Importance: High > You may be aware that the FAA Reauthorization bill (S. 824) could come to > the Senate floor as early as this Friday. We understand that Senator > Lautenberg plans to offer an amendment similar to the one he withdrew at > the Commerce Committee markup. That amendment would prevent DOT/FAA from > contracting out any functions associated with the air traffic system (not > merely air traffic control, as has been reported in some places). > I just wanted to inform you that the Lautenberg amendment offered at the committee was unnecessary and highly problematic for the Department. The amendment's sponsors incorrectly claimed that DOT is planning to contract out air traffic control functions using competitive souring. FAA Administrator Blakey has informed Congress on the record that air traffic control is a "core government function," and as such, is not subject to outsourcing outside the Contract Tower program. > Certain FAA responsibilities are best fulfilled by contract with outside > parties, and others by a mixture of government and private services - as > is the case today. The limitations in the amendment on contracting out > encompass not only air traffic control, but all current FAA facilities and > the operations, maintenance, engineering and oversight functions performed > at such facilities. It would effectively reverse many of the procurement > reforms Congress put in place to make the FAA more efficient. > As a result, the Administration would strongly oppose an amendment of this nature. If you have specific questions, please let me know. Thanks. Roger A. Libby Associate Director of Government Affairs Office of the Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, SW Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-9714 (202) 366-3494 (fax) |