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

Jul

18

Tuesday

Meet the Contractors: Red Line Extension (RLE) Short Listed Primes Event

~~July 18, 2023~~
~~10:00am–12:00pm~~
Completed

Olive Harvey College
10001 S Woodlawn Ave,
Chicago, IL 60628

Join CTA Diversity Programs to gain insights into the Red Line Extension, short-listed prime contractors, and explore potential partnerships for upcoming opportunities. The Red Line Extension project aims to stretch from the current 95th/Dan Ryan terminal to 130th Street. This initiative is part of the comprehensive Red Ahead Program, which focuses on expanding and improving the entire Red Line.

Download the presentation (.pdf)
Jul

19

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Insurance And Bonding

~~July 19, 2023~~
~~10:00am~~
Completed

Zoom
Jul

20

Thursday
Building Small Businesses Program One Year Celebration

~~July 20, 2023~~
~~5:30pm–7:30pm~~
Completed

CTA Headquarters
567 W. Lake Street
2nd Floor

Building Small Businesses (BSB) is an immersive financial capacity building program tailored for small business acceleration.

BSB is free and open to diverse and small firms.
- Celebrate the first year of the CTA's successful BSB program, which has secured $6M in loans to DBEs to date
- Explore contract opportunities and get the most out of the BSB program
Jul

25

Tuesday

Diversity Programs Q3 Outreach Event

Learn about upcoming contracting opportunities with CTA!

~~July 25, 2023~~
~~10:00am–12:00pm~~
Completed

JLM Abundant Life Community Center
2622 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612

Join us 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!
Aug

8

Tuesday

CTA Workforce Outreach Event

~~August 8, 2023~~
~~4:00pm–6:00pm~~
Completed

Harry S. Truman College
1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640

Join us at our Workforce Outreach Event to learn about current and upcoming workforce opportunities in the construction trades, engage with Workforce Agencies, and connect with Contractors and Union Reps.

Hear the presentation, stay for the networking!
Aug

23

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Submitting A Bid

~~August 23, 2023~~
~~10:00am~~
Completed

Zoom
Sept

20

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Pitfalls To Avoid When Submitting A Bid

~~September 20, 2023~~
~~10:00am~~
Completed

Zoom

Register
Sept

21

Thursday
Building Small Businesses Program

~~September 21, 2023~~
~~5:30pm–7:30pm~~
Completed

Virtual Meeting

BSB will provide programming focused on:
- Financial Management
- Access to Capital Sourcing
- Technical Assistance & Back Office Support
- Procurement Connections
BSB is FREE and open to Diverse and Small Firms

Register
Oct

5

Thursday

Diversity Programs Q4 Outreach Event

October 5, 2023
10am–12pm

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.

Register
Oct

18

Wednesday

Driving Small Businesses the Distance: Accounting & Taxes

October 18, 2023
10am

Zoom

Register
Nov

15

Wednesday

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

November 15, 2023
10am

Zoom

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)