Learn How to Obtain Work on CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project
CTA launches the RPM Small Business Educational Series, the newest series of its popular classes to help local businesses work on the largest project in CTA history.
CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. recently announced an exciting new educational series that will provide training and assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) so they can compete for work on the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization Phase One Project.
The RPM Small Business Educational Series will continue through September. Space is limited, and CTA encourages businesses to sign up now for the series of classes, which will be held on both the South and North sides of the city.
“Our goal is to ensure that by providing training and assistance for small businesses, Chicago’s home-grown small businesses are able to compete for any opportunity at CTA that they want to pursue, including the transformational RPM project,” said President Carter. “We are proud to provide the small business community with the knowledge, tools and certifications necessary to be eligible for work during large-scale CTA projects and increase the economic benefits of transit investment in our communities.”
The program participants will engage in a seven-course educational series hosted by CTA and receive instruction from key CTA contractors who will provide their insight on procuring business opportunities, managing projects, risk management, payroll and successfully closing out projects. Class topics include:
- Get On Board Business Opportunities
- Management At Its Best
- On Schedule and On Budget
- Getting Paid and Closing It Out
- Technology Benefits to You Business
- Managing Your Talent
- Getting Prepared for Future Projects
Participants will also learn more information about becoming Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certified with the CTA. Upon completion of the program, participants will have the option to receive OSHA training and CPR training hosted by CTA. Participants will also receive a certificate of completion and have the opportunity to meet with CTA prime contractors. Participants must attend a minimum of six classes in order to receive a certificate of completion.
CTA has offered similar series of classes, including the Green Line Small Business Initiative series in 2017, which provided training to businesses so they could compete for work on Green Line station upgrade projects, and in 2018 the Your New Blue Small Business Educational Series for Blue Line station projects. Twenty-four (24) businesses graduated from the Green Line series, with five companies successfully bidding on work on Green Line projects, and 12 businesses graduated from the Your New Blue series and have been encouraged to bid on upcoming Blue Line work.
The Red and Purple Modernization Program is a multi-phase program to rebuild all of the Red and Purple Line stations and track structures between Belmont and Linden. In 2014, CTA announced Phase One of the project and will begin major construction work on Phase One later this year. The project will be fully completed in 2025. Phase One includes:
- Reconstructing the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations into larger, 100 percent accessible stations and track structure totaling six miles that is nearly a century old.
- Building a rail bypass north of Belmont station that will improve service reliability on the Red, Purple and Brown lines, increasing train speeds, easing overcrowding on rail cars, and providing capacity for projected future growth.
- Installing a new signal system on 23 track miles between Howard and Belmont that, similar to roadway traffic signals, will improve CTA train flow and increase service reliability.
To get more information about the RPM Small Business Educational Series and to register, click here. For more information about RPM, visit transitchicago.com/RPM.
