CTA Reps Share Construction Project Contract Information at Community Forum

Deborah Bayliss | As of Thursday, September 5, 2013

CTA representatives, Compliance Officer, Mary Person (foreground) and Veronica Alanis, Director of Strategic Initiatives, shared information on how to get involved with CTA projects.
CTA representatives, Compliance Officer, Mary Person (foreground) and Veronica Alanis, Director of Strategic Initiatives, shared information on how to get involved with CTA projects. Photo By Deborah Bayliss

Business owners and entrepreneurs who are not aware of Chatham Business Association (CBA) may want to connect with the organization which provides a wealth of information on construction projects, business and networking opportunities.

CTA representatives were on hand during a pre-meeting, held last week before Cook County Board Commissioner Stanley Moore’s first annual, 4th District Economic Development Forum that was held in partnership with CBA at the QBG Foundation building (809 E. 78th St.)

“Most of you came early because you heard about the outreach that the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) did for the 95th Project. CTA has done a wonderful job and has been very aggressive. We have two representatives here who are going to tell you about the 95th Street project as well as other initiatives they have,” said CBA’s Executive Director, Melinda Kelly.

CTA representatives, Compliance Officer, Mary Person and Veronica Alanis, Director of Strategic Initiatives, shared information on how to get involved with CTA’s 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project.

“ We have been doing outreach and want to make sure that people know of the opportunities we have especially since recently, we had a number of projects that have been significant in size. We also want to make sure that the very community that is most impacted, reap the economic benefits from these projects.”

Alanis said CTA has strong DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) goals and has started using the (WIA) Workforce Investment Act to get some community hires.

“The WIA project has allowed us to encourage our contractors so that we hire from the community” Alanis said. “Because we are governed by the FTA (Federal Transit Administration), we cannot have geographic preferences but we can use the WIA tool as a form of hiring. Once they go through that process, yes, you are indeed WIA illegible. Because we have a project with a WIA goal, it’s very likely they’re going to get placed on project.”

The Redline South project was the first project where a WIA goal was successful, according to Alanis.

“Basically it’s anybody who’s interested in a job; we refer them over to the Chicago Urban League where they will take their application so when the contractor has a need for a specific project, the contractor will tap into that database for people who have the qualifications,” Alanis said. “CTA is governed by federal mandates so we follow a DBE mandate not a MBE. Those of you who are not DBE certified are strongly encouraged, to go through the process.”

Alanis said what’s unique about the 95th Street project, is the 30 percent DBE goal, which is preconstruction services only, such as architectural, engineering, construction management and environmental.

“That’s kind of a rarity,” Alanis said. “You usually only see the percentage goals associated with actual construction.”

Terminal improvements will include two station houses, one south of 95th Street and one north of 95th Street; a new pedestrian bridge across 95th Street, connecting the two stations; new bus lanes and increased spacing between bus bays; wider sidewalks and waiting areas; and new bus canopies.

“We encourage all of our minority architects and engineers, environmental services, and construction management (businesses) to obtain a packet and see where your business fits in, said CTA Compliance Officer, Mary Person. “I encourage you to contact the prime contractors on this project. If you want a full list of (which primes) attended the Meet and Greet, give Melinda Kelly a call. I will send her the Meet and Greet list, that way you know what prime contractors were there so that you can contact them.”

Deadline for Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction manager /general contractor services for the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project are due at 3:30 p.m., Sept. 4 to the Bid Office at 567 W. Lake St.

For more information about this project, contact Jacquelyn Charleston, contract administrator at (312) 681-2448.

A pre-bid meeting for the RFP process is scheduled for 10 a.m., Sept. 4 at CTA headquarters, 567 W. Lake St., 2nd Flr. Proposals are due in to the CTA bid office at 3:30 p.m., Oct. 2. For more information on this project, contact Maria Williams-Baxter at (312)681-2437.

As for the Wilson Transfer Station Project, it will include significant track, structural, station, and building façade improvements. Proposals are due in to the bid office at 11 a.m., Sept. 30. For more information on this project, contact Laverne Parr, (312) 681-2434.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

A.L. Smith - Harold Washington Legacy Committee