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

Apr

13

Thursday

Learn About Upcoming Contracting Opportunities with CTA!

Join us as we share information about 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.

Thursday April 13, 2023
10am-12pm

Wilbur Wright College
4300 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago IL, 60634

Register

Small Business Educational Series

Learn how your small business could effectively and successfully participate on CTA contracts

Key industry leaders will teach participants how to procure business opportunities, manage projects, protect against risk, run payroll correctly, create accurate estimates, and close our projects.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will have the option to receive OSHA 30 Training and to receive their First Aid/CPR certification. All trainings will be hosted and provided free of charge by the Chicago Transit Authority.

The application deadline has passed.

For more information please contact Shanell Harmon: Sharmon@transitchicago.com - 312.681.2659
or diversity@transitchicago.com.

Date	Class
Tuesday, February 7 5pm – 6:30pm	Business Opportunities Instructed by Clark Construction Group
Tuesday, February 14 5pm – 6:30pm	Be in Control: Quality & Safety Plans Instructed by Kiewit
Tuesday, February 21 5pm – 6:30pm	No Guestimating: Nailing Your Estimates Instructed by Transit Capital Partners
Tuesday, February 28 5pm – 6:30pm	On Schedule and On Budget Instructed by SPAAN Tech, Inc.
Tuesday, March 7 5pm – 6:30pm	Getting Paid and Closing It Out Instructed by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
Tuesday, March 14 5pm – 6:30pm	Managing Your Talent Instructed by Workforce Works, HIRE360, and Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership
Tuesday, March 21 5pm – 6:30pm	Technology Benefits to Your Business Instructed by Walsh-Fluor
Tuesday, March 28 5pm – 6:30pm	Be that ‘Person’ to Grow your Business Instructed by FH Paschen
Tuesday, April 4 5pm – 6:30pm	Getting Prepared for Future Projects Instructed by GMA Construction Group
Tuesday, April 14 5pm – 6:30pm	Graduation

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)