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12/22/2023
Largely driven by the efforts of its diversity programs, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in 2023 was able to connect disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and small business enterprises (SBEs) with $171.6 million in contracting awards to 84 certified firms, an 11% increase since 2022.
The CTA's diversity programs aims to create an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion by promoting dialogue and inspiring action with the contracting community and other stakeholders that will improve the CTA’s ability to establish diversity as a critical component of its contracting practices.
"We remain committed to the vision of CTA, which is why over the last year we’ve been pulling out all the stops to exceed our goals of engaging and fostering new opportunities with the contracting community — who play a critical role not just here at CTA, but in ensuring the city of Chicago keeps moving," said CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. in press release.
This year, the CTA’s Building Small Businesses program, combined with its pilot program through the Red and Purple Modernization Project, assisted over 30 firms in securing over $13 million in capital sourcing.
The CTA's Small Business Development Team this year hosted four quarterly events focused on providing news to the small business community about new contacting opportunities. After the release of the Red Line Extension (RLE) request for proposals in fall, the diversity programs department hosted two additional outreach events where the short-listed RLE prime bidders were made available to the small business community. In 2023, the CTA also hosted a new networking event during which a dozen local and state agencies provided attendees with an overview of how to do business with various government agencies, including the city of Chicago, Cook County and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.