Client:
Major U.S. Airport
One of the nation’s busiest airports uses a modern contract delivery method that was ineligible for federal airport grant funding. They enlisted Smith Garson to update FAA contract eligibility standards. We swiftly launched a strategy to incorporate these updates into the 2024 reauthorization. Smith Garson started our work in the early days of the reauthorization process to develop a succinct strategy that involved background research and meetings with the airport to fully grasp the issue. We transformed our extensive background work into fact sheets and proposed outcomes to educate congressional staff on the need to include the delivery method for federal funding and benefits to airports, customers, and the community.
Smith Garson hosted several meetings with Members of Congress, committee staff, and authorizing committee professionals to discuss the need to update eligibility standards. We coordinated purposeful visits for the airport officials, including personalized talking points and the latest updates on our meetings, so they could enhance our coordinated efforts. Smith Garson worked closely with staff of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees. Our efforts culminated in working with a Member of Congress to draft legislative text for the FAA reauthorization legislation. This language was included in the final bill, resulting in the airport achieving a major eligibility win for future years of potential federal funding.
