About this opportunity
AI summaryThe San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) requests qualifications from experienced federal government relations and lobbying firms. The contractor will advocate before the United States Congress, executive agencies, and other federal entities to secure funding and approvals for the Telluride-Mountain Village Gondola replacement project. Scope requirements include creating a comprehensive federal advocacy strategy, maintaining congressional relationships, targeting discretionary grant and transit programs, and coordinating project narratives. Only onshore U.S. organizations are eligible to bid. Proposers may attend an optional pre-proposal meeting on November 9, 2026, and must submit written questions to SMART by 5 p.m. MST on November 12, 2026. Proposals are due electronically via email to Executive Director David Averill by 5 p.m. MST on November 24, 2026. SMART will evaluate qualifications initially and request detailed fee proposals from finalist firms for a two-year contract.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation
- Solicitation No.
- 2026-3
Scope of work
- Development of a comprehensive federal advocacy strategy and implementation schedule
- Congressional relations with the Colorado delegation, relevant committees, and leadership
- FTA and USDOT advocacy regarding project eligibility, discretionary grants, and project requirements
- Federal funding strategy evaluation for grants, financing, and appropriations opportunities
- Capital Investment Grants and major capital project specialized advocacy support
- Advancing opportunities through appropriations, authorizing legislation, report language, or earmarks
- Project positioning, messaging, narrative development, and coalition/partner coordination
- Congressional and agency meetings, testimony preparation, briefing materials, and monthly reporting
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Conformance with Submission Requirements | 10% |
| Federal Resources, Relationships and Capacity | 30% |
| Experience and Qualifications | 30% |
| Methodology and Approach | 25% |
| Cost* | 5% |
Minimum qualifications
- Established relationships and strong working presence in Washington, D.C.
- Demonstrated success lobbying Congress and federal executive branch for public/transportation agencies or major infrastructure
- Direct and current experience with USDOT and FTA, including Capital Investment Grants program familiarity
- Established relationships with the Colorado Congressional delegation, relevant Congressional committees, and federal agency officials
- Experience developing and executing federal funding strategies for large, complex transportation or infrastructure projects
- Experience navigating federal appropriations, discretionary grant programs, authorizing legislation, and other funding mechanisms
- Compliance with applicable federal lobbying registration, disclosure, ethics, procurement, and reporting requirements
Documents to include with your response
- Cover Letter signed by authorized representative
- Executive Summary
- Approach and Work Plan
- Relevant Experience
- Federal Relationships and Access description
- Personnel Qualifications and resumes
- Results / Track Record description
- References for at least three clients preferably within the last three years
- Federal Lobbying Compliance and registration information
- Conflicts of Interest disclosure
Key dates
- RFQ Issue Date
- October 30th, 2026
- Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting
- November 9th, 2026 at 10 a.m. MST
- Deadline for written questions
- November 12th, 2026 by 5 p.m. MST
- Responses to Questions/RFQ Addendum issued
- November 17th, 2026
- Deadline for submitting responses to this RFQ
- 5 p.m. MST, November 24th, 2026
- Potential Interviews with Finalist Firms
- Week of November 30th, 2026
- Contract consideration by the SMART Board of Directors
- December 10th, 2026 (anticipated)
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submitted electronically by email to David Averill, SMART Executive Director. Proposals and price quotations must remain firm and irrevocable for 90 days.
Contract details
- Term
- up to two (2) years
- Place of performance
- Washington, D.C.
- Funding
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and federal discretionary grant programs