ASRC Federal Wins $437M FAA Deal to Uphold U.S. Airspace Safety

RESTON, VA – April 07, 2026 – ASRC Federal Advanced Research (AFAR), a subsidiary of government services contractor ASRC Federal, has secured a significant $437 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The five-year award continues the company's critical role in maintaining the intricate web of technology that underpins the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS), ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel for millions of passengers daily.

The contract, known as the Second Level Engineering Services (SLES) program, tasks ASRC Federal with providing in-depth engineering and technical support for the vast infrastructure that makes modern aviation possible. This work is not merely routine maintenance but a complex, continuous effort to ensure the reliability and resilience of the world's most sophisticated air travel network.

The Unseen Engineering Behind Safe Skies

For the average traveler, the complex systems guiding their flight from takeoff to landing are invisible. The SLES contract directly supports these vital components. ASRC Federal’s teams will deliver 24/7/365 field support for a wide array of systems, including navigation and landing aids, power systems, communications infrastructure, surveillance and radar equipment, automation platforms, and weather data systems. This encompasses more than 74,000 individual pieces of equipment spread across the nation.

"Second Level Engineering" refers to a specialized tier of support that goes beyond frontline maintenance. It involves in-depth diagnostics, system modifications, software and database engineering, prototype development, and field support to restore out-of-service facilities. The work, primarily based at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, requires a deep understanding of legacy systems while simultaneously integrating modern solutions. This includes everything from updating hardware and software documentation to operating test labs where system changes are evaluated before being deployed across the NAS.

This comprehensive support is fundamental to operational continuity. According to performance records from a predecessor contract, ASRC Federal's teams have successfully resolved over 1,900 requests for technical assistance, including performing hundreds of site visits to address complex issues and restore critical system operations, ensuring that potential disruptions to air traffic are minimized.

Modernizing America's Aging Airspace

The SLES contract is a key component of the FAA's broader and more urgent mission: the modernization of the National Airspace System. Much of the FAA's infrastructure is between 30 and 60 years old, having exceeded its intended service life. This aging equipment presents challenges related to reliability, high maintenance costs, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program, a multi-decade initiative, aims to transition from ground-based radar to more precise satellite-based navigation and digital communications.

ASRC Federal's work directly contributes to this future-proofing effort. By maintaining and enhancing current systems, the company ensures the stability of the NAS while the FAA integrates next-generation technologies. This contract strengthens the resilience and scalability of air traffic control systems, which are essential for handling increasing air traffic volume and integrating new users like unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space vehicles.

ASRC Federal's relationship with the FAA, which dates back to 2007, provides the agency with invaluable institutional knowledge. The company has a proven track record, having received exceptional performance ratings on previous contracts for its expert engineering and program management.

"We are honored to be selected once again to support the critical work of maintaining and enhancing the world's most sophisticated air travel system," said Jennifer Felix, president and CEO of ASRC Federal. "Our selection demonstrates the crucial experience, expertise and unwavering commitment brought by our talented employees to the FAA mission of safe and efficient aviation service for the flying public."

A Mission Beyond the Contract

Beyond its critical role in national infrastructure, this contract has a profound economic and social impact. ASRC Federal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) established to manage the lands and resources of the Iñupiat people of Alaska's North Slope. ASRC is owned by and provides benefits to its more than 14,000 Iñupiaq shareholders.

Federal government contracting is a primary engine of revenue for ASRC. The profits generated by ASRC Federal, including from this $437 million FAA award, contribute directly to shareholder dividends, which support economic self-sufficiency and help sustain the cultural heritage of the Iñupiat people. Since its inception, ASRC Federal has contributed to over $2 billion in dividends paid by its parent company. This dual mission—delivering excellence in government services while fostering the economic well-being of its shareholder community—is a core tenet of the company's identity.

Navigating a Competitive High-Stakes Field

ASRC Federal secured the SLES contract in a competitive environment. The market for FAA technical and engineering services includes a host of major government contractors, such as Parsons, RTX, and SAIC, all of whom compete for contracts to support the agency's vast modernization and maintenance needs. ASRC Federal's success in winning this recompete award underscores its strong competitive positioning.

This position is bolstered by its long-standing performance and deep institutional knowledge of FAA systems. Furthermore, as a subsidiary of an ANC, the company can leverage certain federal contracting advantages through the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. These advantages are designed to help minority-owned businesses grow and to promote economic development in their communities. This successful recompete not only solidifies ASRC Federal’s standing as a premier partner for the FAA but also highlights the strategic advantages that have enabled its consistent performance in a demanding and vital sector of government services.