Contractor resources

New, small and disadvantaged businesses face unique technical and financial challenges that affect their ability to successfully respond to procurements of this size and complexity. Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners (WVTCP) are trained to meet the differing needs of each business with a true sense of partnership and cooperation. WVTCP will work with you to evaluate the specific barriers you face (capacity, prequalification or other issues) to find the right solution for you.

Still have questions?  Find answers to some common questions below. If you need additional information, please reach out to rle-gfe@wvtcp-rle.com.

FAQs

Red Line Extension

  • What is a design-build project?

    A design-build project is a construction method where a single team handles both architectural design and physical building under one contract. This results in overlapping phases of both the design and construction phases, leading to a quicker project delivery.  

Construction bidding opportunities

  • When will the first contracts be put out to bid?

    Construction bidding opportunities are underway and began in late 2025. Click here for the list of current and upcoming bidding opportunities. 

Estimating and bidding

Opportunities to bid are posted here. Potential bidders should complete the Subcontractor Qualification form and indicate each scope they are interested in. When the scope is available to bid, invitations to SmartBid will be sent to each firm that completed the Subcontractor Qualification Form. 

  • I have questions about an Invitation to Bid (ITB). Who should I ask?

    Once posted in SmartBid, each ITB includes a Scope Lead and contact information. The Scope Lead is the best person to contact regarding an ITB. For information about scopes of work that have not yet been posted in BuildingConnected, contact rle-gfe@wvtcp-rle.com. 

  • My firm doesn’t have the capacity to do the entire scope that’s listed in the ITB. What are my options?

    At bid time, if you believe a package may be beyond your current bandwidth, cannot meet bonding requirements or needs more flexible payment terms, please reach out to the WVTCP team. The team is committed to reducing these barriers wherever possible and is happy to discuss options or supportive approaches that may help firms successfully participate. WVTCP’s goal is to support growth, foster opportunities and strengthen participation from the small business community throughout this historic project. 

  • What does it mean that this is a “union project?”

    All firms working on the project, whether functioning as a prime or sub, must either utilize union members in appropriate roles or execute a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the relevant union(s). 

Contracting process

  • What are bonds, and what are the bonding requirements for this project?

    Bonds are a mechanism that enables a project owner and contractor to minimize risk on large projects. These bonds help ensure that the work is completed, on time and correctly and that all parties are paid in a timely manner. WVTCP is required to provide a bond to CTA in order to minimize risks associated with the project. In turn, WVTCP will require each of its subcontractors to do the same. With limited exceptions, all subcontracts and purchase orders greater than $250,000 will require payment and performance bonds. Please contact rle-gfe@wvtcp-rle.com should you have questions. 

Delivering the work

  • How long does it take to get paid?

    Typically, about 60 days from the end of the monthly billing period. Contractors and subcontractors will submit monthly invoices. WVTCP will combine those invoices with their own and submit them to the owner. WVTCP will pay its subcontractors within 15 days of receipt of payment from the owner. 

  • What is certified payroll and what are the requirements?

    Certified payroll is a weekly report that contractors and subcontractors working on federally funded projects must submit to the US Department of Labor. It's a requirement of the Davis-Bacon Act, which was passed in 1931 to protect workers from low wages. Firms working on the Red Line Extension will be required to submit payroll documentation to WVTCP using the Chicago Transit Authority’s eComply system.