Advocacy Connection Series: Professional Surveyors-Advocacy Connection Series: Professionals Surveyors Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Steve Hall (ACEC Executive Vice President) and Bradley Saul (federal and international markets) meet with COPS members to establish an ongoing, member-driven advocacy cadence. Instead of a slide presentation, they aim for an open conversation that surfaces “front burner” issues, builds a shared priorities list, and creates action items they can report progress on in future calls.<br /><br />Hall provides a Washington update: despite partisan dysfunction and funding challenges, ACEC is preparing for its May fly-in and shifting focus from last year’s tax wins (including preservation of the 20% pass-through deduction and restored R&D deductibility) to major infrastructure reauthorizations. Congress must pass a new surface transportation program before the current IIJA authority expires September 30, and is also expected to advance major water legislation (Corps projects plus broader water/wastewater financing).<br /><br />The group discusses DBE/WBE/MWBE contracting changes following Supreme Court rulings. USDOT issued guidance removing race and gender metrics and requiring state DOTs to revise certification rules and recertify firms. Members report mixed impacts: some see set-asides removed and more bidding opportunity; others (e.g., New York) see no change yet. ACEC will monitor implementation, potential lawsuits, and whether Congress addresses transition issues in upcoming bills.<br /><br />Another issue is the potential removal of NGS monuments on DOT projects and broader underfunding of NGS/NOAA infrastructure (e.g., CORS stations, datums, new coordinate system rollout). Members debate reliance on monuments versus GPS, while emphasizing vertical benchmarks and the need for stable federal support. ACEC will gauge congressional awareness and options.<br /><br />Finally, licensure and enforcement concerns are raised: workforce shortages, weak state oversight, and “interlopers” using drones/technology without proper qualifications. ACEC plans increased focus on workforce and licensure, will support states against deregulatory pushes, and notes federal QBS compliance issues on surveying procurements—encouraging members to flag improper solicitations for ACEC intervention.

Keywords

ACEC advocacy cadence

member-driven advocacy priorities

Washington update infrastructure reauthorization

IIJA surface transportation program expiration

May fly-in lobbying

water legislation Corps projects wastewater financing

DBE WBE MWBE contracting changes

USDOT certification recertification guidance

NGS NOAA underfunding CORS stations datums

surveying licensure enforcement QBS compliance