Summary | Team | Federal Role | Current Environment | Process | Case Histories | P3 | Washington Letter on Transportation

Carmen Group specializes in federal transportation lobbying and government relations, relying on professionals with decades of experience in multiple transportation-related disciplines. In the current environment, this includes helping both public sector and private sector clients achieve and implement their project goals, very often through the kind of public-private partnerships (P3s) that are becoming increasingly popular as well as through federal appropriations and grants.

With hands-on transportation lobbying expertise, our professionals fully understand highways, bridges, transit, rail, aviation and related infrastructure issues and needs. We address federal legislative, administrative, funding and regulatory issues in all aspects of transportation.

Transportation Funding

We recognize that states and cities across the country are feeling the pinch of reduced gas tax returns and scaled-back transportation budgets. As government entities at all levels are finding out, calls for new ideas and new methods to achieve current goals are increasing rapidly.  This is why the leveraging of limited public sector funds with innovative private sector involvement stands to be a key part of the wave of the future in transportation funding.

P3s

Public-private partnerships are allowing state and local government entities to work with private companies to efficiently provide for the construction and maintenance of major road, bridge and other infrastructure projects in certain circumstances. Utilizing private capital on traditionally public projects helps supplement and/or replace increasing strained government revenue sources. While P3s are not a panacea and cannot be applied to every project or situation, they are an important tool that can and should be explored in any comprehensive strategic infrastructure funding plan. Political, legislative, technical, managerial and public relations factors all apply in securing approval and implementation of a successful P3 arrangement.

Economic Stimulus Bill

Carmen Group is especially attuned to landmark economic stimulus legislation that is beginning to pump billions of new dollars into transportation infrastructure on a one-time basis; and to the critical SAFETEA-LU reauthorization which will decide key project and program funding issues for highway and transit over the next five years. We work directly on behalf of clients who are stakeholders with regard to these vital transportation-related legislative vehicles.

Appropriations

Carmen Group has a long and proven record of helping our clients navigate the federal appropriations process to secure significant and critical federal funds for an array of transportation projects, including highways, bridges, transit and commuter rail, airports, ports, rail, and other infrastructure projects.

Surface Transportation Reauthorization

Carmen Group is fully engaged in working with clients who are stakeholders with regard to the SAFETEA-LU reauthorization, due to be completed before September 30, 2009. Our professionals have experience with every transportation authorization bill going back to the mid-1970s.

Aviation Authorization

Delayed from 2008, major legislation to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control system and Airport Improvement Program will be on tap in the New Year. Significant focus will be on critical funding issues and how they government and the private sector can work together to achieve results.

Winning Strategies

Carmen Group develops winning strategies with our clients – pursuing both innovative and traditional financing approaches – to secure needed funding and advance infrastructure projects of all kinds. We routinely work with members of Congress, key committees, and their staffs on transportation legislation, policies, programs, projects and related authorization and appropriations issues. We also work with federal agencies involved as well as with other public and private sector players that can help advance infrastructure projects and funding.

In this regard, Carmen Group cultivates and maintains lasting professional working relationships with Federal executive branch officials at all levels in such agencies as the Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers. These contacts are invaluable in helping advance needed legislation, funding requests, policy proposals, regulatory changes and project decisions in the transportation arena. We also have special experience in transportation regulatory policy and the processes by which such regulations are promulgated and changed.

Proven Process Including P3s

Our firm’s unique business process, based on thorough research, comprehensive strategic planning and professionally executed tactical plans, has been proven to work successfully time after time. Most notably, we have long-term experience in successfully addressing the most complicated transportation projects using federal transportation authorization and appropriations processes and the incorporation of specialized private sector (P3) approaches. Our record of success on behalf of our clients is formidable and includes helping to secure billions of dollars in federal funding and funding commitments.

Washington Letter

Carmen Group’s Transportation Practice also publishes the highly regarded Washington Letter on Transportation, a weekly online publication covering significant federal transportation news and policy developments, including the latest developments on such critical issues as the economic stimulus bill, the highway/transit and aviation authorization bills, and the increasing use of P3s. It is read each week by a loyal following of state and local officials, and private sector professionals, who want to stay abreast of the most up-to-date news and insights about the nation’s most important transportation issues.

Record of Success

• State Departments of Transportation
• City Governments
• County and Local Transportation Agencies
• Public Transportation and Transit Agencies
• Airport Authorities
• Public-Private Economic Development Initiatives
• Real Estate Development Projects
• Private Companies
• Rail Companies
• Freight Handlers
• Airlines
• Intermodal Centers
• Automobile Dealers and Manufacturers
• State, Regional and National Transportation Coalitions

Special Expertise

• Transportation Appropriations Bills
• Highway/Transit Reauthorization Legislation
• Transportation Program and Project Prioritization
• Transportation Engineering and Planning Assistance
• Transportation Strategic and Policy Analysis
• Transportation Regulations
• Transportation Funding Programs
• Federal Budget Process
• Highways
• Toll Roads
• Bridges
• Public Transportation/Transit
• Amtrak
• Aviation
• Appropriations
• Demonstration Projects and Earmarks
• Grants and Loans
• Pipelines
• Hazardous Materials Transportation

Proven Record of Working Effectively With

Executive Branch

• White House
• Office of Management & Budget
• Department of Transportation
• Federal Highway Administration
• Federal Transit Administration
• Federal Railroad Administration
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Surface Transportation Board
• National Transportation Safety Board
• Department of Homeland Security
• Transportation Security Administration
• Department of Energy
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Army Corps of Engineers

Legislative Branch

• House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
• House Ways and Means Committee
• Senate Environment & Public Works Committee
• Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee
• Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
• Senate Finance Committee
• House/Senate Appropriations Committees