CTA holding contracting networking event Thursday for DBEs interested in Red Line extension projects

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Chicago Construction News staff writer

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is inviting certified disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and small businesses interested in certification to an event next Thursday to meet and connect with the three prequalified teams selected to submit proposals for the transformational Red Line Extension (RLE) and learn about sub-contracting opportunities.

The event will be held June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at CTA Headquarters, 567 West Lake St., Chicago. The presentation will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Click the link to register.

“CTA has awarded more than $250 million to 96 unique, minority or women owned firms as part of the Red and Purple Modernization Phase 1 project. Forty of these firms had never previously conducted business with CTA,” said Juanpablo Prieto, CTA director of diversity programs. “These great numbers did not happen overnight; it came through months and years of networking, supporting DBEs, and planning with the prime contractors to create opportunities for DBEs to get their foot in the door and compete.

“CTA is very proud of these accomplishments, and we look forward to doing the same, if not better, on the Red Line Extension project.”

Following the issuance of a Request for Qualifications last fall, in May the CTA selected teams to design and build the rail extension. The three pre-qualified teams selected to submit proposals were:

  • FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, Milhouse and BOWA Joint Venture
  • Kiewit Infrastructure
  • Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners

The $3.6 billion proposed RLE project will extend the Red Line 5.6 miles from the existing southern terminal at 95th Street to 130th Street. As part of this project, four new, fully accessible rail stations will be added, plus a new and modern, efficient railcar storage yard and maintenance facility that will benefit all users of the entire Red Line.

Businesses and contractors in attendance will hear an update on the overall RLE project, information on benefits for small business participation in future contracting opportunities, as well as steps on how to become certified to do business with the CTA. Although the proposed RLE project is still in development, there are “plenty of prospects for robust DBE participation” throughout the project.

An additional meeting with the RLE short-listed prime contractors and their design teams focused on professional services opportunities will be held on July 18 from 10 am to noon at Olive Harvey College, 10001 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago. Registration: https://tinyurl.com/25wtbm4y

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