At the end of November, members of the Concepts and Systems Integration Branch (ANG-14) at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) launched a Laboratory Capabilities Tool with the intent of fostering collaboration between the Laboratory Services Division and other project sponsors. The Tool provides a single source mechanism for customers to identify laboratories and capabilities which can be utilized to realize project goals. The Aeronautical Center collaborated with WJHTC and collectively, they have been populating the Tool for over a year, inputting many of two Centers’ existing systems into the tool. There is still much work to be done, as numerous systems are constantly being added.
The tool was developed in response to Deputy Assistant Administrator for NextGen’s request for knowledge about all the laboratory capabilities offered within the WJHTC Laboratory Services Division. The tool was further expanded to catalog of all the systems at the WJHTC and the Aeronautical Center, as part of a partnership for resource sharing and collaboration, so that both Centers can realize cost savings and work together to deploy new NextGen products and services faster and cheaper.
“Discovering CASSIE (Computing & Analytics Shared Services Integrated Environment) located within the SDA Laboratory (in the Tool) was an incredible find. Having a large reconfigurable research tool available at the Tech Center, which can be accessed remotely, and allows a user to access a virtual server configured to their specifications, will improve intragency collaboration. We used the system to test a new distance learning tool for the Academy; we had a Windows 10 server created, and we were able to then test out the Microsoft HoloLens device. The HoloLens device only works with Windows 10, and that operating system was not allowed on our administrative network, and could not even be purchased at the time,” explains Tony Darnell, Manager of the Terminal Automation Section in the FAA Academy.
To date, there has never been anything like this that lists all of the systems that are located between both of the Centers. Thanks to this Tool, the teams can eliminate duplication of efforts and put their energies and dollars towards a more efficient operation. In the future, if there is a need to use a certain platform for research, development, or maybe even training, these Centers will have processes in place that allow everyone to share resources. It is sort of an expansion of the way we currently have joint-use systems between the FAA Academy, the Logistics Center and local Engineering lines of business, but is directed toward the deployment of NextGen.
Once information is entered into the Laboratory Capabilities Tool, the owner of the information is responsible for keeping that information up-to-date. The owner’s contact information is listed in the Tool, as well as the system’s capabilities and a detailed description of the equipment. The point of contact (POC) for each laboratory opens up communications and collaboration among all interested parties. Shared use can then be coordinated with potential users who may have a need for that equipment. Shared knowledge of this laboratory capability makes it easier to utilize multiple laboratories in meeting customers’ needs, with just one laboratory filling the capability gap. The future is bright, as both Centers continue to collaborate on issues that are in the best interest of the FAA and the flying public.
For more information about the Laboratory Capabilities Tool, please contact Zack Bocelle (ANG-E141), zack.bocelle@faa.gov.
*NOTE: Currently only full time FAA personnel are permitted access to this data. A Federal Aviation Administration email is required to register as a Laboratory Capabilities Tool user. All FTEs can use the Tool, (anyone involved in planning for new programs where equipment and systems are being purchased, or are needed for research, anyone who has extra capacity that can be shared, etc.). Later, the Lab Capabilities Tool may be made available to contractors doing work for the government, but it is currently just for internal use.
