How to do Business with Regional Transit

Regional Transit Introduces New Small Business Program and Upcoming Contracting Opportunities at Sold-Out Conference
January 29, 2009

Over 300 business representatives attended the 5th Annual Regional Transit Primes & Subcontractors Conference in Sacramento, California on January 29, 2009. They came to hear Michael Wiley, General Manager/CEO for the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) and RT’s executive management and procurement teams discuss details of upcoming contracting opportunities and to learn about RT’s new aggressive Small Business Program. The sold-out conference, co-hosted by RT and The Federal Technology Center (The FTC), broke previous years’ records on attendance and exhibitors, including representatives from small and large businesses and government agencies.

In his keynote speech, Wiley emphasized that, despite severe budget cuts, RT has been managing what they have. “Our focus is not on what we can’t do; it’s on what we can do,” he said as he described the creative and prudent measures RT is taking while still moving ahead with their major projects.

Steve Cohn, Chair of the RT Board of Directors and Sacramento City Council Member, affirmed that “transit is central to Sacramento infrastructure development,” and that the community has made a commitment to transit.

Federal Transit Administration representative, Derrin Jourdan, shared the encouraging information that “more than 50 percent of federal Department of Transportation projects are awarded to small businesses, but public agencies cannot provide a public service without public support, therefore now is the time to participate.”

Special guest speaker, Kevin Johnson, Mayor of the City of Sacramento, stated his commitment to do everything possible to create an environment “where there is a competitive advantage” for small businesses. He stated that the Sacramento region needs to “retain and expand our existing businesses with the opportunities that are here.”

Despite the national economic downturn, the speakers were unanimous that transit work will be an area of opportunity.

New information was provided by RT’s Senior Procurement and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Administrator, Fernando Barcena who discussed RT’s new aggressive small business program, which clearly supports RT’s commitment to contracting with small and DBE firms. Jerone Edwards from the DBE certification office of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Pat Fong Kushida, President / CEO of the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, each discussed how their programs support RT’s small business program.

Two panels concluded the morning activities by discussing the upcoming major projects that RT has scheduled and plans to release for public bidding within the next few months, and the day-to-day procurements that are required to support all RT operational activities.

For more information about RT’s Small Business Program or a list of upcoming projects, contact Fernando Barcena at FBarcena@sacrt.com. The next event, “How to do Business With Regional Transit” co-hosted by The FTC and RT is scheduled for July 30, 2009. To learn more information as it becomes available, please go to www.TheFTC.org/rt