Federal Governmental Affairs Consulting and Lobbying Services

The Authority is seeking Responses from qualified Respondents to provide federal governmental affairs consulting and lobbying services.

The Authority was created in 1945 and is an independent special district governed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Act, Chapter 2022-252, Laws of Florida (Act). This Act provides that the Authority will have exclusive jurisdiction, control, supervision and management over all publicly-owned airports in Hillsborough County.

The Authority owns and operates the Airport. Tampa International Airport occupies approximately 3,400 acres and is primarily an origination-destination airport serving the greater Tampa Bay area. The Authority contracts with two separate firms for management of the general aviation airports. Peter O. Knight Airport is a 139-acre facility located six miles southeast of Tampa International Airport, five minutes from Tampa’s downtown business district, Convention Center, and many local attractions, and is strategically located on Davis Islands across from the Seaplane Basin Park on Tampa Bay and The Port of Tampa cruise ship terminals. Tampa Executive Airport, a 407-acre facility, is located 12 miles east of Tampa International Airport. Plant City Airport, a 199-acre facility, is located 22 miles east of Tampa International Airport.

Tampa International Airport is a major economic driver for the Tampa Bay region and is the gateway to the west coast of Florida. Tampa International Airport is consistently ranked among the world’s most beloved airports, serving more than 25 million annual passengers with routes to more than 100 nonstop destinations. Tampa International Airport has received top awards at the state, national, and international level, including being ranked the #1 Large Airport in North America by J.D. Power in 2022 and 2023, as well as the #1 Large Airport in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024. Tampa International Airport has now completed several projects in the largest construction program in its history with a major Main Terminal renovation, 66 shops and restaurants, a 1.4-mile automated people mover extending to a multi-level rental car facility, award-winning Express Curbsides for faster passenger drop-off and pick-up, a nine-story office complex and numerous new public art installations including a world-famous 21-foot pink flamingo sculpture in the Main Terminal. In late 2024, Tampa International Airport broke ground on a new 16-gate terminal, Airside D, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

Tampa International Airport is served by more than twenty (20) commercial airlines operating from four (4) Airside Terminals: Airside Terminal A with sixteen (16) gates; Airside Terminal C with sixteen (16) gates; Airside Terminal E with thirteen (13) gates; and Airside Terminal F with thirteen (13) gates. During the Authority Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2025, Tampa International Airport served over twenty-five (25) million passengers and generated revenues totaling $486.2 million. The Authority expects to handle 24.3 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Authority is a self-supporting organization and generates revenues from Airport users to fund operating expenses and debt service requirements. Capital projects are funded through the use of bonds, short-term financing, passenger facility charges, State and Federal grants and internally generated funds. Although empowered to levy ad valorem property taxes, the Authority has not collected any tax funds since the early 1970s.

The background information provided in this Section is intended only to give prospective Respondents a brief familiarization with the Authority and the Airports. All Airports data provided as part of this Solicitation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a guarantee of business. The information shown herein has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable. However, the Authority and its Board, officers, employees, agents, and contractors are not liable for the accuracy of the information or for its use by Respondent. Respondent must examine and inspect this Solicitation and all its appendices, attachments, and exhibits to be knowledgeable of the requirements and terms and conditions. Respondent must independently evaluate circumstances and conditions that may affect its Response and its ability to provide the required Services.

The Authority mission and vision statements, found on the Authority website at www.TampaAirport.com > Business & Careers> Business Opportunities > Supplier Resources > Working with Procurement, will serve as the platform to guide the Awarded Respondent in providing Services.