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

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program Orientation

~~July 18, 2024~~
~~5:30–7:30 pm~~
Completed

Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612

Special Introduction of CTA’s Featured Red Line Extension (RLE) Project Coming to Your Community!

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.
Jul

24

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: Accounting & Taxes

~~July 24, 2024~~
~~4pm~~
Completed

Zoom
Aug

5

Monday

Certification Drive

~~August 5, 2024~~
~~10:00 am – 2:00 pm~~
Completed

Red Line Extension Community Office
401 W. 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60619

Chicago Transit Authority's Diversity Programs Certification Drive is an opportunity for small businesses seeking to do business with the Authority to learn about the certification process and apply directly with CTA.
Aug

7

Wednesday
Meet the Contractor event

~~August 7, 2024~~
~~10:00 am - 12:00 noon~~
Completed

Sulzer Regional Library (Auditorium)
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60635

Doors open at 9:45 am
Presentation starts at 10:15 am

The Chicago Transit Authority Meet the Contractor event is an opportunity for small businesses to learn about the Brown Line Ravenswood - Western station project with Prime Contractor FH Paschen.

FH Paschen is seeking DBE-Certified contractors that specialize in the following:
- Concrete Foundations
- Structural Steel
- Masonry
- Glass and Glazing
- Roofing
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning
- Drywall
- Painters
- Carpenters
- Power and Communication Lines
- Landscaping Services
Aug

14

Wednesday
Certification Drive

~~August 14, 2024~~
~~2:00 pm – 5:00 pm~~
Completed

CTA Headquarters
567 West Lake Street
Second floor computer lab
Chicago, Illinois 60661

Chicago Transit Authority's Diversity Programs Certification Drive is an opportunity for small businesses seeking to do business with the Authority to learn about the certification process and apply directly with CTA.

What you will need:
- Current registration with the CTA vendor registration site.
- Username and password to CTA’s vendor portal cta.dbesystem.com.
- Copies of all applicable documents in the Supporting Documents Checklist stored via digital format (flash drive, accessible cloud, etc.) Application Supporting Documents Checklist on page 17.
Aug

21

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: CTA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Process

~~August 21, 2024~~
~~10am~~
Completed

Zoom
Sep

9

Monday

Meet the Partners Event with F.H. Paschen, Ravenswood Western Project

~~September 9, 2024~~
~~10am–12pm~~
Completed

Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

This event provides an opportunity to hear about the future operation of this new CTA facility, meet the construction team and key subcontractors behind the construction of this project, learn about career paths in construction trades from our workforce partners, and network with the presenting companies about future opportunities.
Sep

12

Thursday

CTA Workforce Outreach Event

~~September 12, 2024~~
~~10am–12pm~~
Completed

Columbus Park Refectory

Download the slides
Sep

19

Thursday

Diversity Programs Q3 Outreach Event

September 19, 2024
10am–12pm

Gately Park
10201 South Cottage Grove Ave
Chicago, IL 60628

Doors open at 9:45 am.
Presentation starts at 10:15 am

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.

Register
Sep

25

Wednesday

Driving Small Business the Distance: Cyber Security

September 25, 2024
10am

Zoom

Register
Oct

10

Thursday

Building Small Businesses Program Orientation

October 10, 2024
6:00pm–8:00pm

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.

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, understand CTA's procurement & contracting processes, capability statement assistance, how to obtain bonding insurance and conflict management in professional service contracts.

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

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

Every Tuesday
October 1, 2024–
October 22, 2024

5:00pm–6:30pm

Application deadline: September 6, 2024

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)