Negocios Now

www.negociosnow.com Diciembre 2013 13 NegociosNow NegociosNow www.negociosnow.com Enero-Febrero/Extra 2018 13 NegociosNow NegociosNow I n preparation for the Red Purple Modernization (RPM) Project—one of the largest capital projects in the agency's history—the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently hosted "Meet the Big Three," an out- reach event held for small busi- nesses and Disadvantaged Busi- ness Enterprises (DBEs) seeking to work on Phase One of RPM. The meet-and-greet style event was held Jan. 25, 2018 at CTA headquarters in Chicago and hosted more than 300 indi- viduals, including more than 250 business owners and represen- tatives. Participants received an opportunity to meet with and learn more about prospective partnership opportunities with RPM's potential prime contrac- tors. "We are committed to helping DBEs compete for contracting opportunities at CTA and encour- age small businesses interested in working with us to remain engaged as we move forward with RPM and other opportuni- ties," said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. "We are continu- ing to expand the programs and services offered by our Diver- sity Programs Department in an effort to strengthen relationships between potential prime con- tractors and the small business and DBE community." The "Meet the Big Three" event included representatives from each of the three prime con- tractors, including Walsh Fluor Design-Build Team, Chicago Rail Constructors and Kiewit Infra- structure Company. Each firm shared information about their companies and small business initiatives. The event also provid- ed DBEs the chance to network with utility companies involved in RPM utility relocation, assist agencies, CTA personnel and other small and minority-owned business owners, as well as to learn more about how to pursue contracting opportunities with the CTA. RPM (Phase One) is a $2.1 bil- lion project that will rebuild four of the oldest Red Line stations – Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr - as well as more than a mile of adjacent track struc- ture. The project will also create a rail bypass just north of Belmont station for northbound Brown Line trains that will modernize a 100-year-old rail junction where Red, Purple and Brown Line trains currently intersect. This event is just the first of many upcoming outreach events that CTA's Diversity Pro- grams Department will host as RPM contracting opportunities become available. CTA hosts dozens of outreach events each year, provides one-on-one con- sultations for firms seeking to be certified as DBEs and receives feedback and ideas from the CTA's DBE Advisory Committee on ways to strengthen the pro- gram and increase outreach. Recently, CTA announced its new, quarterly business series "Driving Small Businesses the Distance." This is a three-course program for small businesses to learn how to become certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enter- prise (DBE) and instruction on how to do business with CTA. For more information about diversity and small business ini- tiatives, DBEs are encouraged to contact CTA's Diversity Programs Department at (312) 681-2600 or email diversity@transitchicago. com. They can also visit www. transitchicago.com/dbe/ CTA HOSTS 250 SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES AT RED PURPLE MODERNIZATION PROJECT OUTREACH EVENT

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