Diversity Programs

About Diversity Programs at the CTA

The mission of Diversity Programs is to serve the Authority by catalyzing equitable economic growth for businesses working with the agency. From connecting businesses of all sizes and stages to each other and opportunities to robust workforce development and outreach, we advocate, invest and advance business interests in our service area.

Diversity Programs will achieve its mission 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, assess attainable workforce goals to create opportunities for low-income workers, apprentices, and residents of economically disadvantaged areas, connecting interested individuals with job opportunities on CTA contracts, sharing data relative to our goals, attainment, and programming, and advocating for policies that reduce barriers for both DBEs/SBEs and job seekers on our contracts.

Vendor registration & Certification applicationRegister to receive emails when opportunities match your selected business expertise, and certify as a DBE or SBE to qualify for opportunities set aside for those categories. Contract opportunitiesSee all current opportunities and register to respond. DBE Interim Final Rule Question and Answer (PDF) IL-UCP Townhall Video (YouTube)

Small business events

For small business owners to learn about upcoming opportunities on CTA projects and to network with prime contractors seeking subcontractors

May

20

Wednesday

Responding to CTA Contract Solicitations

May 20, 2026
10am

Register
May

27

Wednesday

Small Business Connections: Linking Small Businesses to Big Opportunities

May 27, 2026
10am – 12pm

Kennedy-King College
6301 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60621

Join us to learn about upcoming projects and contracting opportunities at the Chicago Transit Authority and discover how your small business can get involved. This event will highlight partnership opportunities, provide insights on how to compete for contracts, and connect you with key resources, all while exploring professional service opportunities in the technology services and opportunities through our General Engineering Consultant (GEC) program to help keep Chicago moving.

Register
Jun

17

Wednesday

CTA Invoice & Payments Process

June 17, 2026
10am

Register
Jun

25

Thursday

CTA & NAPA: Meet the Contractors Event

June 25, 2026
10am – 12pm (doors open at 9:45am; presentation begins at 10:15am)

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

Are you interested in supplying materials and goods to the CTA? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect directly with NAPA, a prime supplier of goods and materials to the CTA.

Register to attend

Are you a small business with a new product on the market? You’re invited to exhibit your product free of charge by hosting a table at this event.

Apply to be a vendor

Workforce events

For tradespeople seeking work on CTA projects with CTA contractors

May

18

Monday

Construction Talks: Labor Compliance: Why It’s Important

May 18, 2026
12pm

Zoom

Register
Jun

22

Monday

Construction Talks: Union Foundations: History, Signatory Pathways & Apprenticeships

June 22, 2026
12pm

Special Hybrid Session – RSVP for In-Person Location Details

Register