| Q.
What is VGLEAP? |
A. Visual Guidance Lighting Equipment Approval Program (VGLEAP) is a program developed to acquire visual lighting equipment suitable for purchase and installation is the NAS through the F&E program. In addition, it virtually eliminates the Design and Development phase of the procurement process, thus reducing acquisition time. 
|
| Q.
Where can I find a copy of the Advisory Circular 150/5445-57? |
A. You can find a copy of the AC by clicking here.
|
| Q.
Where can I find information on VGLEAP approved equipment? |
A. This information is available on the Internet at the FAA regulatory and Guidance Library web site as well as Navigation Services Home Page. In addition, it is also listed in Appendix 2 of AC 150/5345-57.
|
| Q.
How do I become a Third Party Verifier under the VGLEAP program? |
|
|
| Q.
What is the difference between Certification and Verification? |
A. According to FAA policy, Certification is the determination and validation that a system, subsystem, etc. is providing or is capable of providing advertised services to the user. This is accomplished though independent determination, which ascertains the quality of the advertised services, and a validation which officially confirms and documents the finding in maintenance logs. While Verification on the other hand simply indicates that a piece of equipment meets FAA standards for performance and standardization.
|
| Q.
If my company is already under contract with the FAA, how do I get my name on the VGLEAP list? |
A. In the FAA’s effort to streamline the VGLEAP program, contractors who currently have equipment contracts with the Lighting Systems Group will be added to the "approved visual guidance equipment list" after a favorable In-Service Decision.
|
| Q.
If my product/equipment is already installed in the NAS, is my product/equipment going to be added to the "approved equipment list" for VGLEAP? |
A. If your equipment is baselined in the NAS and the FAA has configuration management responsibility over the equipment, your equipment will be grandfathered onto the “approved equipment list”, provided the specification for the equipment has not be changed. If your system has not been base lined for the NAS but installed in the NAS and you have configuration management responsibility, your equipment with be grandfathered into the VGLEAP program for a period of four years (provided the specification for the equipment has not be changed). After which the manufacturer will go though the VGLEAP program to remain on the list of approved vendors.
|
| Q.
Once my company receives a Certificate of Verification for a specific piece of equipment, will the product be Certified to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS)? |
A. No. The Certificate of Verification means the equipment meets FAA standards for performance and standardization.
|
| Q.
How do I get my product Verified under the VGLEAP program? |
|
|
| Q.
Who do I contact if I have further questions regarding VGLEAP? |
A. Write To:
Federal Aviation Administration
Navigation Services – VGLEAP
AJW-46
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20591
|
| Q.
The FAA has listed a Third Party Verifier (TPV) on the web site. Is the Third Party Verifier approved and functioning under this program? |
A. Yes, Intertek has been accepted as a TPV under AC requirements.
|
| Q.
The FAA has listed two manufacturers on the web site. Have the two manufacturers signed an agreement with the TPV if they exist or are they grandfathered for some reason? |
A. No, existing manufactures have not signed an agreement and their products are grandfathered for a period of four years unless they change configuration. After four years, they must enter into the VGLEAP program for reverification.
|
| Q.
The FAA has listed Equipment as approved on the web site. Do these products comply with this procedure or are they grandfathered for some reason? |
A. Existing equipment that has been grandfathered for a period of four years unless they change their configuration. After four years, they must enter into the VGLEAP program for reverification.
|
| Q.
Will the TPV be allowed to develop standard test procedures for qualifying the products under this program? The Third Party Verifier under the AIP program uses their standard procedures if they perform the actual test. |
A. The development of the procedures is a part of the licensing agreement between the TPV and manufacture under the AC.
|
| Q.
4g Appeals Procedure. Is the FAA waving its responsibility to allow "Good" equipment into the NAS by delegating all responsibility? |
A. Per section 3, the appeals procedure is a part of the licensing agreement between the vendor and the TPV. The FAA deploys equipment into the NAS that meets approved FAA specifications.
|
| Q.
The Third Party Verifier identified on the FAA web site is also a testing laboratory. Paragraph 8a stated the test are performed at a manufacturers facility or independent laboratory and maybe witnessed by the TPV. Will the TPV be allowed to conduct the tests at their facilities? |
A. Yes, the TPV can conduct testing at their facility.
|
| Q.
4b Reverification. reverification every four years would appear to be excessive. The AIP program is eight years with many outlets to recover the investment in the program. Will each purchase of equipment be purchased under competitive bid or will the FAA issue blanked orders? Without opportunity for a manufacturer to recover their investment the Government may place the NAS at risk of not being able to procure qualified equipment competitively. |
A. Each procurement will be done on a competitive basis.
|
| Q.
Paragraph 12. Under what means is a manufacturer grand-fathered and exempt from revision of specifications? Is the exemption in perpetuity? |
A. Depending on the nature of the specification change, it may not be necessary to perform all qualification tests. Certain exemptions may be granted by the third party verification body when requested and justified by the manufacturer that the test is not applicable to the specification change.
|
| Q.
There needs to be a definition of Class I and Class II changes in the specification. A simple table with acceptable changes could be provided. |
A. Class I and II changes are defined in FAA Order 1800.66.
|
| Q.
There is no mention as to the process of ordering material after a manufacturer receives certification. After a manufacturer is placed on the approved supply list, is there an open bid process or does the FAA just order from a vendor without regard to the other on the list? An approach would be to have the airport sponsor accept low bid for the material that is required. This would be similar to the AIP process where all manufacturers are equal in the bidding process. |
A. The purpose of the VGLEAP program is for internal use by Navigation Services F&E procurements. The Approved Visual Guidance Lighting Equipment Manufacturers list is not intended for any other use.
|
| Q.
There must be a method for other manufacturers to question the certification of products offered the FAA. This should be addressed in this specification. |
A. VGLEAP is an advisory circular not a specification. Products are not certified under the VGLEAP program, they are tested against FAA specifications. In addition, a market survey was issued for a period of 30days for industry comment on the AC.
|
