Diversity Programs

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About Diversity Programs at the CTA

The mission of Diversity Programs is to create an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting dialogue with the contracting community and other stakeholders that will improve the CTA’s ability to level the playing field and establish diversity as a critical component of the CTA’s contracting practices.

Diversity Programs will achieve these goals by certifying eligible firms as Disadvantaged and/or Small Business Enterprises (DBE/SBE), assessing attainable DBE & SBE contracting goals, creating opportunities for DBEs & SBEs to network with large contractors, establishing programs for DBEs & SBEs to grow in capacity & capability, connecting interested individuals with job opportunities on CTA contracts, and advocating for policies that reduce barriers for both DBEs/SBEs and job seekers on our contracts.

Schedule a one-on-one consultation with us by emailing diversity@transitchicago.com or a manager directly.

Events

Apr

4

Thursday

Meet the Contractors Event

~~April 4, 2024~~
~~10am–12pm~~
Completed

CTA Headquarters
567 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60661
2nd Floor

Are you interested in supplying materials and goods to the Chicago Transit Authority? Join us on April 4, 2024 at CTA Headquarters 567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661 2nd FL when you can meet NAPA, prime supplier of goods and materials to the Chicago Transit Authority. Learn how you can partner with NAPA to supply the CTA.

If you are a small business with a product that is new to the market, you can exhibit your product by hosting a table at this event, free of charge.
Apr

4

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program

~~April 4, 2024~~
~~3–5pm~~
Completed

Malcolm X College
1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612

Building Small Businesses Program (BSB) is an immersive and detailed financial capacity-building program tailored for small businesses accelerations. The Diversity Programs and its consultant team, Ascend HI, invite you to be our guest at Building Small Businesses in-person orientation.
Apr

17

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: Insurance & Bonding

~~April 17, 2024~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom

Register
Apr

25

Thursday

Citywide career fair

~~April 25, 2024~~
~~10am–2pm~~
Completed

Malcolm X College Gymnasium
1900 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL

Join the CTA and collaborating city agencies for the first Citywide Career Fair of 2024 on April 25, 2024 at Malcolm X College Gymnasium, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Speak with public and private employers about opportunities. For a listing of employers that will be present, visit the Chicago City Clerk's website. For resume assistance in advance, find your local American Job Center at www.levelupajc.org.
May

2

Thursday

Event Public Open House: Request for Public Comment on Proposed DBE Goal

May 9, 2024
10am–12pm

CTA Headquarters
567 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60661

This open house is an opportunity to read the goal methodology and provide comment. In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, Chicago Transit Authority Diversity Programs (CTA) hereby notifies the public of its proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) triennial goal of 21% (Race-Neutral 5.64%, Race-Conscious 15.36%) for its projected federal spend in FFY 2025-2027 and solicits public comment on the methodology. CTA staff will be available during the open house to answer questions.
May

9

Thursday

Building Small Businesses In-Person Workshop

May 9, 2024
5:30pm–7:30pm

Olive Harvey College
10001 S Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60628

Special introduction of CTA's featured Red Line Extension (RLE) project coming to your community!

Be part of the 5.6-mile rail expansion—join the conversation on the Red Line Extension Project, featuring four new stations, and unlock new opportunities for small businesses and DBEs.

Register
May

9

Thursday

Diversity Programs Q2 Outreach Event

May 9, 2024
10am–12pm

BUILD Inc.
5100 W. Harrison St.
Chicago IL 60644

Join us in-person as we share information about the Red Line Extension Project, All Station Accessibility Projects, and many other projects to upgrade the Chicago Transit Authority infrastructure. Learn how your firm can partner on these projects to keep Chicago moving as you meet with potential prime contractors!

Doors open at 9:45 am. Presentation starts at 10:15 am.

Register
May

15

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: Invoice & Payment

May 15, 2024
10am

Zoom

Register
Jun

26

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: Pitfalls to Avoid when Submitting a Bid

June 26, 2024
10am

Zoom

Register

U.S. Department of Transportation Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is advancing its commitment to equity and access to contracting opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). In doing so, U.S. DOT has recently announced the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would strengthen these programs’ regulations. This recent rulemaking allows DBEs and ACDBEs to have the ability to find resources to new program features, in addition to updating standards when certifiers are assessing eligibility. Read the press release

Mentor-Protégé Program

Through hands-on and classroom training experience, the Mentor-Protégé Program strives to develop working relationships between DBE firms and prime contracting firms that have successfully participated in and/or completed CTA contracts.

Program description and application (PDF)