Why It Matters

TSS Solutions faces a straightforward challenge: securing federal funding for maintaining, upgrading, and leasing ground-based radar systems amid intense competition. The stakes are substantial. The FAA’s $438 million radar replacement contract signals that radar modernization is a federal priority, but aging systems across military, weather, and civil aviation require sustained funding for repair and sustainment work—where TSS Solutions operates.

Congressional pressure to address failures like Newark’s radar blackouts and the Pentagon’s push for advanced air defense capabilities create legislative momentum. TSS Solutions’ tripling of lobbying expenditures and hiring of veterans from the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Appropriations Committee suggests a strategy targeting the committees controlling defense and infrastructure funding.

By the Numbers

TSS Solutions paid $60,000 to Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. in the last quarter —a dramatic shift from its previous strategy.

The company began lobbying in late 2023 with Velos, spending just $10,000 total through July 2024. The new engagement represents a sixfold increase in quarterly spending.

TSS Solutions hired a four-person team: Anthony J. Lazarski (former Senate Armed Services Committee staffer), Susan Pearson Sweat (prior legislative director for Sen. Roger Wicker), and two additional defense sector lobbyists. Two possess deep congressional experience on the exact committees controlling defense appropriations and authorization.

The Agenda

TSS Solutions is lobbying to secure federal funding for ground-based radar system maintenance, servicing, upgrades, and leasing. The filing targets budget and defense issues—a narrower focus than its previous broader aerospace and satellite work.

Multiple legislative initiatives are advancing, including the Radar Gap Elimination Act and Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held hearings on modernizing integrated air and missile defense architecture.

Congressional champions include Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on military radar modernization and Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), who raised concerns about radar blackouts at critical facilities.

Broader Context

Congress is modernizing radar infrastructure across multiple sectors. The FAA is replacing over 600 aging air traffic control systems, while the Pentagon pursues its Air and Missile Defense Strategy 2040 and the $175 billion "Golden Dome" integrated air defense initiative.

Weather radar modernization is gaining bipartisan momentum through the Radar Gap Elimination Act, while the National Weather Service completed a $150 million Service Life Extension Program for 159 weather radars. The Trump administration’s planned 15% defense spending increase strengthens the budget environment.

Between The Lines

The timing capitalizes on operational failures that intensified modernization urgency. Newark’ Airport’s spring 2025 radar failures caused thousands of flight cancellations, while lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict demonstrated the importance of resilient air defense systems.

TSS Solutions enters during concurrent modernization efforts across military, civil aviation, and weather systems—creating sustained demand for maintenance and upgrade services where the company specializes.

Competitive Landscape

TSS Solutions faces competition from specialized and large defense contractors. ARTEMIS Inc. lobbies on radar programs across military services, while C Speed LLC focuses on DHS and Army radar initiatives.

Major defense primes have captured significant contracts—RTX’s $438 million FAA deal signals intense competition. TSS Solutions’ hiring of Cornerstone Government Affairs—which represents General Dynamics and Boeing—suggests a strategy to differentiate through premium Capitol Hill access.

The Bottom Line

TSS Solutions significantly ramped up federal advocacy with a $60,000 quarterly commitment to Cornerstone Government Affairs, tripling its previous spend. The engagement targets appropriations and defense committees as Congress pursues multiple radar modernization initiatives. The new lobbying team’s direct experience on Senate Armed Services and House Appropriations provides access to key funding committees during a favorable budget environment and operational pressures to upgrade aging radar infrastructure.

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