Going Beyond the Procurement Goal: Seeking harmony to reduce friction and increase participation among historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) (Leadership APTA)

From the White House’s Justice40 initiative to the Equity in Infrastructure Project and beyond, the national focus on equity in infrastructure has never been stronger. Coupled with today’s exceptional investment in transit, the transportation industry has an unprecedented opportunity to uplift historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) and support local economies.

While there have been impressive gains in creating harmony for doing business with HUBs, and despite the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program having been in place since the 1980s, friction still exists in the transit procurement process that makes HUB participation difficult and sometimes impossible—especially outside of federally funded projects. This project articulates those friction points, identifies best practices, and serves as a resource and guide for individuals seeking to create more harmony in the procurement process to increase and ease HUB participation. Whether one is a CEO, board member, agency staff, or business employee, we all have a role to play. Only through collective awareness, commitment, action, and accountability can we move towards more inclusive and diverse participation in transit contracting.

Project Team:

• Katie Roth, Coordinator (Metro Transit)
• Rachel Maloney, Coordinator (NFTA)
• Bill Amarosa (NYCT)
• Steven King (OCTA)
• Veronica Siranosian (AECOM)
• Derek Donnell (Norwalk Transit)