
About SBMP-Tier 1
The MTA seeks to increase, facilitate, and encourage the participation of small businesses, including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/W/BEs) by providing a supportive framework for eligible firms to develop and grow within the construction industry and to establish stable, long-term business relationships with the MTA.
SBMP-Tier 1 is a five-year program that partners emerging firms with one of the industry's largest construction management/mentoring firms, McKissack-WSP JV. The program includes:
- Pre-qualification
- Mandatory construction training
- General business, organizational and professional skills development
- Construction expertise
- Access to working capital up to $150,000
- Experience working with MTA construction projects ($100,000 to $1,500,000)
- Fast-track payments (10 business days)
How to qualify for SBMP-Tier 1
SBMP-Tier 1 is targeted to small contractors. To participate, your firm must meet the following criteria:
- Have gross sales no greater than $6 million per year averaged over the last three calendar years.
- Be pre-qualified to do business with the MTA.
- Complete core training classes.
- Provide references for commercial work.
- Have been in business for at least one year.
- Bonding is not required in Tier 1. However, your firm must have a bonding capacity no greater than $2 million.
Program update
Launching June 2025
The Small Business Development Program (SBDP) is being enhanced to provide a streamlined process and greater support for small businesses interested in working with the MTA.
The updated programs will continue to focus on creating meaningful opportunities for small, local firms by providing access to MTA contracts, technical assistance, and capacity-building support. These improvements are designed to help small businesses grow, strengthen their operations, and successfully compete in the transportation and infrastructure sectors.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing more details soon!
If you are interested in the SBMP, please email sbdp@mtahq.org with the following information:
- Business name
- Contact name
- Email address
- Phone number
Next steps after qualification into the program
- Training classes: You will have to complete the mandatory training classes. Classes are offered twice a year, spring and fall.
- Survey: Once you’ve received your letter of acceptance into the program, we will email you a link to an assessment survey for you to complete, via Survey Monkey.
- Onsite/virtual assessment: After the survey, we will reach out to schedule an assessment where you will meet with one of our project management and business development consultants to assess your business.
- Action plan: Once the assessment is complete, an action plan is created with deliverables that are set in place to help with the growth of your business throughout mentorship.
- Contractor liaison: Every contractor is assigned a contractor liaison. This person will be your main point of contact for any issues or questions you might have.
How firms get work
Once you have received your pre-qualification approval letter, you are officially in the program and are eligible to start receiving bid opportunities. Opportunities for bidding on MTA work will be dependent upon the availability of work in the trades for which you qualify. If you’re on a bidder’s list, the MTA procurement team will contact you at the information provided on your application.
Contact information
For more information about joining the program
Please call Kina Thomas at 646-252-1320, or email sbmpscopeb@mtahq.org.
For more information about training classes
Please call 646-252-1258, or email sbmpscopeb@mtahq.org.
For questions about Tier 1 application process or questions about the application
Please call the prequalification unit at 646-252-1667, or email sbdp@mtahq.org.
For more information about the loan program
Please call 212-878-7178, or email sbmpscopeb@mtahq.org.
For construction management questions
Please call John Hanna at 646-252-2360 or email john.hanna@mtahq.org.