METRO Small Business Outreach & Training Events

METRO provides outreach and technical assistance for the small business community. The outreach program is designed to assist small businesses in meeting one-on-one with METRO decision-makers, as well as the product/service provider. By attending small business networking forums, small businesses are able to obtain information about how to do business with METRO and how to access decision-makers regarding projects.

The outreach efforts include attending and co-sponsoring focused events to target and reach other potential small and disadvantaged businesses to participate on agency projects.

Small Business & Procurement Help Center

By Appointments Only, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Please email your request for an appointment to sbe.helpcenter@ridemetro.org.

We will do our best to respond to your request within 48 hours.

Available Services:

• Vendor Registration Assistance
• Online Certification Assistance
• B2GNow Training
• One-on-One Small Business Assessments
• Business Development
• METRO’s Procurement website Demonstration
• Debriefings (Bids or Post Awards)
• One-on-One meetings with Department Representative, as Applicable

METRO Wants To Do Business With You!

METRO Small Business University (SBU)

METRO’s Office of Small Business Development offers free management and technical assistance through the METRO Small Business Opportunities University (SBU). SBU courses are designed to enhance the potential for businesses certified with METRO’s Small Business Program to win contracts with METRO. SBU courses are targeted toward specific opportunities at METRO.

SBU Goals and Objectives:

To assist small/disadvantaged businesses with navigating through METRO’s contracting and procurement process.
To prepare small/disadvantaged businesses for face-to-face interviews with METRO buyers, contract administrators and project managers.
To facilitate the communication process between small / disadvantaged businesses and other METRO representatives.

2021 Calendar

Oct. 27, 9-11 a.m. – METRONext Update

You will learn about METRONext and the procurements opportunities, projected schedules and associated support services needed. Now is the time to prepare for what we believe to be the largest transformation of the transportation system in the Houston metropolitan area, over the next 20 years.

Nov. 10, 10-11:30 a.m. – METRO’s Online SBE Certification Workshop

In this workshop you will learn about METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) online certification process and requirements.

Nov. 17, 9-11 a.m. – Learn METRO’s Small Business Compliance Requirements

In this workshop you will hear an overview of METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. The focus is on understanding how METRO set small business goals, utilize METRO certified Primes and Subcontractors to meet our SBE/DBE Goals and to learn what documents to submit as both a Prime and a Subcontractor.

Dec. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. – Learn About the Small Business Administration (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee Program

If you are having a hard time getting bonding, this workshop is for you! Come and learn how the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program can help small and emerging businesses with their bonding needs. (Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds and Ancillary Bonds).

Dec. 15, 10-11:30 a.m. – Learn About the METRO Co-ops In The Procurement Process

You will learn the eight (8) Cooperative purchasing programs METRO uses: Department of Information Resources (DIR), Texas Multiple Award Schedule (TXMAS), Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC), The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN), U.S. Communities, The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) Choice Partners and General Services Administration (GSA).

2022 Calendar

Jan. 11, 9-11 a.m. – How To Do Business with METRO (Emphasis on Procurement) In Partnership with Old Spanish Trail Community Partners

This workshop is designed to inform certified and non-certified businesses on how to do business with METRO. The process for METRO SBE certification and vendor registrations are also covered. METRO’s Procurement staff will discuss, how METRO procures its goods and services and the process used to award contracts. They will also briefly talk about the different cooperatives (co-ops) METRO uses. You will also hear about what’s happening, with the Old Spanish Trail Community Partners.

Jan. 20, 10-11:30 a.m. – METRO’s Online SBE Certification Workshop

In this workshop you will learn about METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) online certification process and requirements.

Jan. 26, 9-11 a.m. – Accessing Capital

The format of the workshop is a panel discussion comprised of bankers, LiftFund and Houston Business Development Inc. As an added bonus, “The 5C’s of Credit,” will also be covered. The presenters will answer questions and give business advice on how to gain access to their programs.

Feb. 16, 9-11 a.m. – Navigating Through METRO’s RFPs RFQs & IFBs (Learn the important difference between an RFP, RFQ & IFB)

In this workshop you will learn how to respond to METRO’s various types of solicitations: RFPs, RFQs, & IFBs. We will discuss: Reviewing the opportunity, their differences, compliance vs responsive and creating winning content.

Feb. 23, 9-11 a.m. – Pricing Your Proposal/Product

You will hear from an expert who has been in the banking industry for over 30 years. You will have a hands-on exercise, using the Bid Price Triangulation module to aid you with your bid/proposal calculations. You will learn how to establish three (3) Known Data Points, how to use the Mathematic Regression Process and how to triangulate a competitive bid/proposal price.

March 9, 9-11 a.m. – Day 1: METRO’s Meet the Buyers

Focus is on Professional Services & General Services Firms Only.

March 10, 9-11 a.m. – Day 2: METRO’s Meet the Buyers (Focus is on Construction, Supplies & Equipment and Materials Firms Only)

You will virtually have an opportunity to meet METRO’s buyers and Contract Administrators (CA’s) who procure METRO’s goods and services. This forum allows the business community, primes & subcontractors an opportunity to meet our Procurement Team. Day One will focus on Professional Services, A&E’s & IT firms, and General Services Firms. Day Two will focus on Construction, Supplies & Equipment and Materials Firms.

March 24, 10-11:30 a.m. – METRO’s Online SBE Certification Workshop

In this workshop you will learn about METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) online certification process and requirements.

March 30, 10-11:30 a.m. – Learn How to Do Business with METRO’s HR Department

Come hear from METRO’s Human Resources team and learn about the goods and services they need and use, in the areas of Staffing, Benefits, Insurance, Wellness, Training, Organizational Development, Equal Employment Opportunity and Employee Relations.

April 13, 10-11:30 a.m. – Understanding METRO’s IT Process

METRO’s IT managers will speak with you regarding departmental structure, operations, processes, departmental needs, and anticipated IT opportunities.

April 27, 9-11 a.m. – Come Discover the Added Value of METRO’s “Certification” Partners (Port Houston, HCC, Houston First & Fort Bend ISD)

Community College, Houston First and Fort Bend ISD. Come and meet our partners who accepts our METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification and serves as additional business development resources to small business owners. You will also hear about their small business programs and contracting opportunities.

May 11, 9-11:30 a.m. – Davis Bacon Workshop (presented by the Department of Labor)

This workshop will provide basic information regarding the wages paid to workers on construction projects, in accordance with the Davis Bacon Act. This workshop is conducted by a representative from the Department of Labor. Come and enhance your Davis Bacon knowledge on Prevailing Wages and Fringe Benefits.

May 25, 10-11:30 a.m. – I’m Certified, What’s Next?

Come learn about the strategic benefits to being METRO certified. This workshop is designed for small businesses that want to learn how to do business with METRO and to give them tips on how to enhance their business. For example, they will learn about METRO’s procurement process, METRONext updates, and METRO’s Insurance requirements. You will also learn about METRO’s partners that accept the METRO SBE certification; as well as, some of the benefits of some of its other community partners.

June 15, 10-11:30 a.m. – Learn How METRO Procures Its Small Purchases ($50,000 and under P.O.s)

You will learn about METRO’s small purchase procedures: How a firm is notified when contracting opportunities are available. Quote requirements for purchase orders (P.O.s) and if insurance is required on small purchases.

June 29, 10-11:30 a.m. – Creating A METRO Safety Plan

You will hear “safety tips” from METRO’s safety experts. You will learn METRO’s safety expectations and provide a “Sample METRO Safety Plan”.

July 13, 9-11 a.m. – How To Do Business with METRO (with an emphasis on Procurement)

July 28, 10-11:30 a.m. – METRO’s Online SBE Certification Workshop

In this workshop you will learn about METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) online certification process and requirements.

Aug. 17, 10-11:30 a.m. – Bonding & Insurance

Bonding & Insurance experts will share the importance of bonding and the various type of Bonds: Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds and Payment Bonds. You will also hear from METRO’s Risk Management office, regarding METRO’s Insurance requirements for its contracts.

Sept. 7, 9-11 a.m. – Hear from METRO’s Strategic Partners (SCORE, PTAC, SBA, GHBPF)

SCORE, PTAC, SBA and Milton Thibodeaux of Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum, will all be present, to give you some expert advice on bidding tips, briefly talk about their programs and encourage you to utilize free small business assistance.

Sept. 22, 10-11:30 a.m. – METRO’s Online SBE Certification Workshop

In this workshop you will learn about METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) online certification process and requirements.

Interagency Mentor Protégé Program (IMPP)

The Houston Independent School District, City of Houston, Port of Houston Authority and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) have teamed up together to create the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program (IMPP). IMPP exists to strengthen effective working relationships and foster long term stability between established companies and local agencies with emerging historically underutilized businesses. The goals of IMPP are to enhance the business skills and broaden the base of historically underutilized businesses by providing the knowledge and experience of established firms.

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