Dispatcher reported an event when the RAIM [Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitor] validation from the FAA source line was unavailable. The Dispatcher stated there are various methods published to verify GPS reception; but none published for the event of service not available. The Dispatcher questioned if the flights should be reclassified to Non RNAV in the procedures manual.

Narrative

Our ability in Dispatch to verify RAIM [Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitor] validation was unavailable due to the feed from the FAA having technical difficulties. According to the FOM; XX.XX.X of the FOM the plane performs a RAIM validation when any RNAV approaches are attempted. The flight crew will get alert if satellite reception is compromised. The FOM also state if no satellites are scheduled to be out of service; the aircraft can depart without further action. The Dispatchers Manual provides different methods of verifying GPS reception but does not provide a method if reception can not be checked or of the service is not available. If dispatch can not provide verified outage information or length of information is there or should there be a procedure to change flight strips to NON-RNAV flights ? Clarify procedures when GPS RAIM verification is not available or not functioning. Do we need to file Non-RNAV flight plans. Can we rely on Aircraft FMS to provide enough feedback to crews on GPS reception ?