NJ TRANSIT hosted an event for prime contractors, small businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) showcasing upcoming capital construction projects, and opportunities to connect and do business with the agency. Approximately 150 people attended the event to learn more about over $800 million in contracting opportunities in capital projects that will be available in the upcoming year.
Attendees of the conference heard from NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett and New Jersey State Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi, who underscored the state’s commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and investing in state-of-good-repair projects, and the commitment to diversify and build capacity in the contracting pool.
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Attendees were provided information on a recently upgraded Electronic Bidding Process, which creates efficiency for contractors and the agency. Highlights included state-of-good repair program and rail infrastructure opportunities, such as Market Street Bus Garage construction at approximately $30 million; and resilience projects, such as the Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project at more than $150 million and Delco Lead, estimated at more than $200 million; and Task Order Contract Opportunities.
NJ TRANSIT awarded $165 million in FTA funded contracts in 2018 and of that amount $31 million was awarded to DBE firms, representing a DBE achievement of 19% for the year.
The agency has made significant progress in executing contracting dollars in the Murphy Administration. In 2018, NJ TRANSIT awarded more than $264 million in construction and professional service related contracts, compared to $47 million in 2017. Speed to market has increased from 340 days in 2017 for federal procurements to 180 days in 2018.
Additionally, the recent passage of legislation enables NJ TRANSIT to, among other things, conduct cooperative purchasing and make purchases through federal supply schedules. This flexibility has resulted in transformative new draft regulations which will save time and cost and improve speed to market and overall procurement turnaround times.
This is NJ TRANSIT’s first contracting outreach event since the Access to the Region’s Core tunnel project was cancelled. Due to an overwhelming response to this event, a second engagement event is already being discussed for fall 2019.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
