Diversity Programs

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.

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

Oct

5

Thursday

Diversity Programs Q4 Outreach Event

~~October 5, 2023~~
~~10am–12pm~~
Completed

Gately Park, 10201 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60628
Free parking available in lot

Learn About Upcoming Contracting Opportunities with CTA!

Join us as we share information about projects to upgrade the Chicago Transit Authority’s 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.

Download the presentation
Oct

10

Tuesday

CTA Workforce Outreach Event

~~October 10, 2023~~
~~10am–1pm~~
Completed

Gately Park
(Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center)
10201 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60628
Free parking available in lot

As workforce needs continue to grow in the construction industry, CTA invites you to join us at our upcoming workforce outreach event at Gately Park. Here you can learn more about the resources for career seekers and opportunities with contractors and subcontractors working on projects throughout the region, including CTA contracts. You can also engage with workforce agencies and representatives from various building trade unions.

Download the presentation
Oct

18

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Accounting & Taxes

~~October 18, 2023~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom
Oct

26

Thursday
Certification Workshop with the CTA

October 26, 2023
3:00–4:30pm
Completed

HACIA
650 W Lake Street
Suite 230
Chicago, IL 60661

The CTA's Building Small Businesses (BSB) Program is an immersive financial capacity building program tailored for small business accelerations. BSB is free and open to diverse and small firms.

What you'll learn:
- Eligibility criteria for DBE certification.
- Required documents for DBE certification.
- Steps to becoming certified.
- What happens after you receive your DBE certification.
Nov

9

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program

~~November 9, 2023~~
~~5:00–7:00pm~~
Completed

HACIA U Training Room
650 W. Lake St., Suite 230
Chicago, IL 60661

Join CTA’s Building Small Businesses orientation on November 9, 2023, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm for assistance in gaining access to capital sourcing, technical assistance, and procurement connections for your small business. The event will be held at HACIA, located at 650 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL. Please register to attend.
Nov

15

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Market Research (Buying Plan & Bonfire Portal)

~~November 15, 2023~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom
Nov

16

Thursday

Doing Business With Government Agencies

~~November 16, 2023~~
~~10:00am–12:00pm~~
Completed

CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60661

Are you interested in doing business with government agencies? Attend the CTA’s panel discussion where you can hear from government agencies about the various certifications required to do business. Learn the differences in the certifications and ask questions specific to your small business. Hear about the many upcoming opportunities to partner with government agencies as you network with prime contractors and interact with various agencies ready to assist your small business in expanding capability.
Dec

7

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program

December 7, 2023
5:30-7:30pm

Virtual meeting (connection details provided at registration)

Is your small business in need of access to capital? Do you need technical assistance and back office support with your small business? If so, please join us online for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Building Small Businesses Program orientation.

Register
Dec

13

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Cyber Security

December 13, 2023
10am

Zoom

Register

CTA Small Business Educational Series for Professional Services

Elevate your business status by joining CTA Diversity Programs Small Business Educational Series for Professional Services.

Industry professionals will teach participants how to procure CTA business opportunities, managing project budgets, cyber security & data protection, understanding CTA`s procurement & contracting processes I and understanding CTA`s procurement & contracting processes II.

Secure your attendance by completing our registration application. Once application is approved further details will be provided.

Forward questions to diversity@transitchicago.com

CTA Headquarters
567 W Lake St,
Chicago IL, 60661 2nd FL
Conference rooms A,B,C

Every Tuesday
October 3, 2023 - October 24, 2023
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Application Deadline:
September 4, 2023

Registration Application

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)