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 [email protected] or a manager directly.

Events

Small Business Educational Series

Does your firm provide a construction related service?
Have you worked on a construction project in the past?
Are you looking to take your business to the next level?

A 9 week in-person program!

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 out projects.

Upon successful completion of the training series, participants will qualify for OSHA 30 and First Aid CPR trainings. All trainings will be hosted and provided free of charge by the Chicago Transit Authority.

Apply

Deadline: January 10, 2024

More events

Oct

10

Thursday
Citywide Career Fair

~~October 10, 2024~~
~~10:00am–2:00pm~~
Completed

Olive-Harvey College
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Building
10001 S. Woodland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60628

Free parking available, adjacent to TDL Building.
- Employers will be available to share employment opportunities. View the employer list.
- Open registration
- Doors open at 10:00am
- Dress professionally and bring plenty of copies of your most updated resume
For assistance with resumes and interviewing skills, visit your neighborhood American Job Center, levelupajc.org.
Oct

10

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program Orientation

~~October 10, 2024~~
~~6:00pm–8:00pm~~
Completed

Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd, Rm 1103
Chicago, IL 60612

Access Capital Sourcing and Bonding for Your Small Business!

Be a 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.
Oct

23

Wednesday

CTA Compliance Do’s, Don’ts and Musts

~~October 23, 2024~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom
Nov

20

Wednesday

Market Research

~~November 20, 2024~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom
Dec

4

Wednesday
CTA Workforce Outreach Event

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

Truman College
1145 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

CTA invites you to join us at Truman College to learn more about employment opportunities with CTA contractors on upcoming projects. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with CTA Workforce Partners, representatives from various building trades, workforce agencies, and construction contractors.

Current & Upcoming CTA Projects
- All Stations Accessibility Plan (ASAP)
- Forest Park Blue Line
- Racine Station ADA & Traction Power Improvements
- Forest Park Blue Line Track Improvement
- Kedzie Bus Garage
- Red Line Extension
- Skokie Shops
- Substation Roof Replacement Program
- Substation Upgrades
Presentation
Dec

11

Wednesday

Diversity Programs Q4 Outreach Event

December 11, 2024
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Doors open at 12:45 pm
Completed

Richard J. Daley College
7500 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60652

Please join Diversity Programs department 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.
Dec

18

Wednesday

Insurance & Bonding

~~December 18, 2024~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom

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)