Intent to Single Source - Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) For Climatic Wind Tunnel Testing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is announcing its intent to single source a contract to Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) for climatic wind tunnel testing. The purpose of this testing is to investigate the operational safety risks for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles in icing environments. RTA's climatic wind tunnel is the only facility that can simulate the required conditions. • The testing will focus on eVTOL vehicles encountering icing environments. • RTA's climatic wind tunnel has a large enough test section to spin a 2-to-3-meter diameter propeller system inside. • The tunnel speeds are close to cruise operating speeds of eVTOLs. • The facility can simulate icing environments in Appendix C and Appendix O envelopes targeted for this research.