By AvCIP Program Office and Rob Koon, 1.0/NAVAIR Public Affairs

The Avionics Component Improvement Program (AvCIP) is now accepting proposals for fiscal year 2008 project funding. AvCIP formally began in 2006, and has provided more than seven million dollars for thirteen projects. The long term savings for those investments are projected to exceed one hundred million dollars. With strong Fleet user support, the program continues to grow.

AvCIP provides near-term resources to address top readiness degraders, excessive repair cost drivers and critical obsolescence issues. It presents an alternative funding option for smaller projects that cannot effectively compete with major program issues through the annual budget build process. It enables teams to address emerging issues without forcing their program office to cover the costs “out of hide.”

Proposal submission is a two-step process. Teams are required to first submit a concept proposal by March 31, 2007, which consists of identifying the component and platform users, along with simple descriptions of the problem, the solution and expected benefits. The preliminary step allows proposals to be reviewed for AvCIP applicability before submitting teams spend more effort on researching details. Once a concept is approved, teams are requested to complete a formal submission package for a Working Group review that will be held in May 2007.

Project selection and prioritization are based upon urgency, return on investment, breadth of application (number of users), operational benefits and risk, with an emphasis on quick executability. Project selection will be in June 2007 to ensure an early FY08 start date.

Air Combat Electronics, PMA209, manages AvCIP for the Naval Aviation Enterprise. All platform avionics systems are eligible to receive dedicated AvCIP funds, including fixed wing, rotary wing, unmanned aerial systems, weapons and associated support equipment. Components can be in or out of production. Funds are provided for non-recurring engineering efforts in support of integration, testing and qualification of mature solutions.

For more information on AvCIP, including assistance in developing proposals, please contact Mr. Tom Maday, AvCIP program lead, 301-757-0910.