Eighteen leaders, including those of more than a dozen major Bay Area transit agencies and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, signed the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge today, joining a national coalition committed to increasing contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in the infrastructure sector. This increases competition for public contracts, saving taxpayer dollars and delivering better value for infrastructure investments while building generational wealth and reducing the racial wealth gap. 

The signing grows the EIP’s voluntary coalition to 92 transit authorities, airports, ports, water districts, and engineering, financial and construction firms from across the country – representing hundreds of billions of dollars of power to improve people’s lives.  

The pledge signing was held at the Milpitas Transit Center on January 13, hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP). 

“VTA's transit connects one of the most diverse and economically vibrant metropolitan areas in the nation,” said VTA Board Chair, Sergio Lopez. “Today's commitment is a recognition that this diversity is key to success — whether to the economic vitality of Silicon Valley or to the successful operation of a complex transit agency — and will create opportunity in our communities for generations to come.” 

“EIP is an economic development program. When we are intentional about prime, joint venture, and equity participation opportunities for historically underutilized businesses, we put people to work, and we grow businesses and community wealth,” said EIP Co-Chair Phil Washington, who is CEO of the Denver International Airport. “These are tough economic times across our nation. What we are rallying people around is leveraging infrastructure investments into investments in people’s financial security.” 

Leaders representing 18 entities signed the EIP Pledge today: VTA; BART; City of Milpitas; SFO; SFMTA; MTC; COMTO Nor Cal; AC Transit; Caltrain; SamTrans; San Francisco Bay Ferry; Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District; Transbay Joint Powers Authority; Denver Water; Valley Water; The Allen Group; BUILDIT; San Francisco County Transportation Authority. 

The Equity in Infrastructure Pledge calls on signers to: 

• Increase the number, size and proportion of contracting opportunities going to HUBs. 

• Increase the number, size and proportion of contracting opportunities going to HUBs as prime contractors. 

• Streamline the administration of contracting with HUBs to centralize certification, improve payment time, and standardize transparent data collection. 

• Increase the amount and type of financing available to HUBs aiming to meet infrastructure contracts by working with private and public partners; and 

• Expand the number of signatories to this Pledge. 

The Bay Area’s commitment to supporting HUBs is not just about compliance; it is about recognizing the value that diverse perspectives bring to infrastructure projects. By working together, these organizations aim to build a more equitable future for all Bay Area communities.  

The following quotes from today’s Pledge signers may be used in media coverage: 

Bob Powers, General Manager, BART 
“The timing is right for this important pledge. There are now more rebuilding projects happening across BART than at any point in our history. With 50 stations, BART can make a real impact to 50 communities and their ​H​istorically ​U​nderutilized ​B​usinesses – make them part of the BART family.” 

Mike Nakornkhet, Airport Director, San Francisco International Airport  
“SFO is an economic engine for the San Francisco Bay Area, powering the employment and business opportunities that come from our infrastructure projects. We recognize that lifting up Historically Underutilized Businesses in our contracts is a powerful way to drive innovation, maximize the value of our infrastructure investments, and strengthen the fabric of our community. I am proud to stand with our Bay Area transportation agencies to build a more inclusive and equitable future for our region.” 

April Chan, General Manager/CEO, SamTrans 
"Joining this project aligns with our values at SamTrans to foster inclusivity and create opportunities for businesses that have been historically underserved. By signing this pledge, we commit to building generational wealth and reducing the racial wealth gap through meaningful actions in our contracting practices." 

Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain 
​​​"At Caltrain, equity and inclusion are core values. In signing the Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge, we are doubling down on our commitment to people. Caltrain is committed to creating opportunit​ies​​     ​ for ​H​istorically ​U​nderutilized ​B​usinesses that reflect the communities we serve. This pledge marks a great step forward for our agency and lays a path for success in the decades to come.” 

Julie Kirschbaum, Acting Director of Transportation, SFMTA 
“The SFMTA has long been committed to increasing opportunities for small businesses to participate in our contracts. We’ve been proactive in designing our contracts to give small businesses, locally owned businesses and businesses owned by women and people of color the opportunity to compete for our contracts on a level playing field. We’re excited to take this pledge with Bay Area partners to achieve our shared goal of maximizing opportunities for small, disadvantaged businesses." 

Denis Mulligan, GM/CEO, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District 
“We are proud to join Bay Area transit and infrastructure agencies in affirming our shared commitment to expanding opportunity among historically underrepresented communities while closing the racial wealth gap. Today’s pledge underscores our shared dedication to creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and small business owners in our community.” 

Kathleen Kelly, Interim General Manager, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 
"The Equity in Infrastructure Pledge reaffirms our commitment to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, which demonstrates that when Historically Underutilized Businesses participate in transit projects, the financial benefits often stay within the Bay Area cities we serve, driving job creation and supporting economic growth in the communities that need it most.” 

Seamus Murphy, Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Ferry 
“We’re proud to join the pledge and further cement our commitment toward ensuring investments in our growing ferry system are spent efficiently and equitably,”  

Tilly Chang, Executive Director, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
“The Transportation Authority is proud to join the EIP coalition to do more to help grow historically underutilized business in our infrastructure investment and delivery programs. We are committed to building on our foundation of progress and look forward to facilitating more inclusive and successful partnerships with the EIP community going forward. 

Alan Salazar, CEO/Manager, Denver Water 
​“As an anchor institution for our region, Denver Water is not only committed to the mission of delivering clean, safe drinking water to our customers, we also recognize our responsibility to contribute to the overall economic health and prosperity of the 1.5 million people we serve.  That responsibility includes embracing the values and accountability that are at the core of the Equity in Infrastructure Project.” 

Shima Mirzaei, Transbay Joint Powers Authority, Chief Financial Officer 
"The TJPA joins our transit partners in reaffirming our collective goal and commitment to providing opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to work on transformational transit investments in the Bay Area," said Shima Mirzaei, TJPA Chief Financial Officer. "TJPA worked with DBEs during the construction of the multimodal Salesforce Transit Center and will continue to do so when we deliver The Portal, which will create jobs and connect diverse communities while reducing climate change impacts."