USCTA Alert
FAA Releases NOFO for FY25 FCT Competitive Grant Program
The FAA today released a notice of funding opportunity that outlines how contract tower airports can apply for a share of the $20 million in fiscal year 2025 discretionary funds available in the FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program. This fourth round of funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congress passed almost three years ago.
Background
As a reminder, AAAE and USCTA successfully convinced Congress to include at least $300 million in the infrastructure legislation for contract tower airports to upgrade their aging air traffic control towers. Of that amount, $100 million is reserved for FCT airports to upgrade sponsor-owned towers or $20 million annually. The FAA has already selected 73 FCT tower projects for funding in FY22, FY23, and FY24.
Key Dates
The FAA has published the latest FCT NOFO, the application form, and other details on its BIL website. The agency indicates that the deadline for submitting applications is no later than September 18, at 5:00 p.m. ET. FAA officials stress that is a firm deadline and that the agency will not accept any late applications.
Overview of the FCT Competitive Grant Program
The NOFO provides an overview and detailed information regarding the FCT Competitive Grant Program, which provides $20 million via discretionary, competitive grants annually for five years (FY22–FY26) for projects at sponsor-owned ATC towers.
As outlined in the NOFO, the FAA intends to consider eligible projects that will “sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate ATC towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications to be used in those towers, and related equipment in those towers; or construct a remote tower certified by the FAA….” However, the agency reiterates that there is no certified remote tower to date.
In a letter to airport sponsors, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin, P.E., points out that “grants awarded under this program are at a 100 percent federal participation. No airport match is required.”
Application Process
Applications for FY25 FCT competitive grants must be submitted using Form 5100-144. The application form requires airports to provide a brief project description, targeted timeframe dates, information about project status, and details about the age of your tower, the status of siting studies, etc.
In her letter to airport sponsors, Griffin also indicated that “if your airport applied for an ATCT project under the FY25 BIL Airport Terminal Program NOFO that closed on July 31, 2024 and are eligible under the FY25 FCT competitive grant program, you do not need to reapply for consideration of the project.”
Any questions regarding applications can be directed to your Regional Office or Airports District Office, or the BIL Implementation Team at 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov.
Resources
• FAA Letter to Airport Sponsors
• FY25 BIL Notice of Funding Opportunity (FCT)
• FY24 FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Final Selections
• FY23 FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Final Selections
• FY22 FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Final Selections
• More Resources on FCT Competitive Grant Program
USCTA Membership Reminder
Thanks to those contract tower airports that have already paid their 2024 USCTA dues. For those airports that have yet to renew their membership -- including those that have received funds from the FCT Competitive Grant Program -- please contact Brad Van Dam at 703-797-2534 to ensure you continue to receive regular updates on grant opportunities and other contract tower related matters.
