Procurement Series: Southwest Small Business Academy

Procurement Series: Southwest Small Business Academy

TEXAS • ARIZONA • NEW MEXICO

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Building on the success of our first regional session, LIT is bringing the Procurement Series to the Southwest with the Southwest Small Business Academy.

Join us for a half-day of insight, access, and engagement as transit agencies from across the region provide an inside look at:

• Procurement and RFP processes
• Upcoming contracting opportunities through 2027
• Key procurement timelines and forecasting insights
• Strategies for positioning your small business competitively
• Live Q&A with agency representatives

Whether you are new to public transportation contracting or looking to strengthen your competitive strategy, this Academy will equip you with the knowledge, resources, and agency connections needed to pursue opportunities within the transit industry.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 30!

ITINERARY:

• 10:05 AM – 10:35 AM: Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO), serving the Greater Houston, TX area – Shurronda Murray, Outreach & Business Development Manager
• 10:35 AM – 11:05 AM: Valley Metro, serving the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area – Jonathan Thatcher, Director, Contracts & Procurement
• 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), serving the Dallas, TX metropolitan area – Gabriel J. Beltran, MCA, Assistant Vice President, Vendor Management; DART DBE Liaison Officer; President, COMTO North Texas
• 12:05 PM – 12:35 PM: CapMetro, serving Austin and Central Texas – Carlos Balderas, Manager, Small Business Programs & Compliance
• 1:05 PM – 1:35 PM: City of Albuquerque Transit Department, serving Albuquerque, NM – Emily Werley, Transit Senior Buyer