NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (NCPPP)

The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) is a 501 (c)3 educational organization composed of public and private organizations dedicated to advancing the utilization of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in meeting our critical infrastructure needs, including those of the transportation sector. With the authorization of the federal transportation funding legislation under consideration it is important to outline the role that public-private partnerships can play in meeting the transportation infrastructure challenge. There have been numerous statements regarding PPPs by senior government officials and members of the media. While we are encouraged by the attention that PPPs are receiving, we must stress that public-private partnerships are not a panacea; they can not meet all the challenges facing our transportation systems. We support a strong federal funding role in transportation infrastructure, and believe that such federal funding is necessary to keeping America moving forward. However, federal funding alone will not be enough to meet the ever-growing need.

The membership of the NCPPP believes that public-private partnerships, including the entire spectrum of innovative project delivery mechanisms, offer a valuable option for consideration to provide the resources needed to meet the funding and development needs of the highway and transit systems of the future. We stand ready to assist public officials, at all levels of government, to work towards delivery of high quality public projects through the utilization of these innovative procurement practices. It is in that spirit that we submit these recommendations for incorporation into the transportation authorization legislation:

• Authorization should provide an environment that encourages States to develop an appropriate statutory and regulatory structure for public-private partnerships

• Authorization should protect and expand alternative public sector financing mechanisms such as TIFIA and Private Activity Bonds

• Authorization should provide for the formation of mechanisms to encourage innovative project delivery

• Authorization should encourage innovations, at all levels of government, that will leverage private capital to meet our infrastructure needs

2000 14th Street, North • Suite 480 • Arlington, Va. 22201 • 703.469.2233 • Fax 703.469.2236 • ncppp@ncppp.org• www.ncppp.org