Taking Care of Business
Doing Business with CARTA
CARTA is a public authority, which operates the public transportation system providing fixed route transit services to Hamilton County, Tennessee. Additionally, CARTA operates paratransit services for people with disabilities, a Downtown Shuttle and parking system, and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. To provide our services, we rely on a broad range of contractors and suppliers who work with us through the entire procurement process. The goods and services we purchase are of the utmost importance to providing safe, reliable transportation for our customers.
Goods and services purchased by CARTA range widely from paper clips to Incline cars. We encourage small businesses owned by minorities and women to pursue contracts to compete for CARTA business. CARTA’s purchasing policy can be found here.
Who Buys for CARTA?
The Purchasing and Procurement Manager and Director of Grants, Technology and Research/DBE Coordinator handle the majority of purchasing for the CARTA. If anyone has any questions about CARTA’s purchasing policies, contact:
Annie Powell
Director of Grants, Technology and Procurement
CARTA
1617 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Telephone 423-629-1411
Fax 423-698-2749
Katrina Oliver
Purchasing and Procurement Manager
CARTA
1617 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Telephone (423) 629-1411
All forms, bid notices, specifications and other documents can be picked up at the above address during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
What Does CARTA Buy?
Parts, supplies, equipment, professional and other services required to maintain the buses and Incline cars, related equipment, fixed facilities and administrative offices.
How Does CARTA Buy?
All goods and services CARTA needs are obtained through either an informal purchasing process or a competitive bidding/request for proposals process. Goods and/or services valued from $10,000 to $50,000 may be purchased from the lowest and best of two quotations in writing. Goods and/or services valued over $50,000 are purchased through a competitive sealed bid or request for proposals process. Vendors are notified of CARTA’s intent to obtain bids or proposals by direct mailings from current vendor lists and through newspaper advertisements.
Who Receives CARTA’s Bid Notices/Requests for Proposals?
Known Vendors and local plan rooms
How Does CARTA Advertise for Bids/Proposals?
All bid and proposal related advertising appears in the legal notice sections of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Passenger Transport (as applicable).
How Do I Get on CARTA’s Bidder List?
Getting on CARTA’s bidder’s list is as simple as forwarding a letter of interest to Annie Powell, Director of Grants, Technology and Research, 1617 Wilcox Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37406.
The following information must accompany your request to be placed on CARTA’s bidder’s list:
- Legal / recognized name of your business
- Street and/or P.O. Box mailing address(es) of business
- All business contact phone numbers: 1-800 or similar, fax, pager, cellular, mobile and local phone numbers
- E-mail and/or web site addresses (when available)
- Business point of contact, names and positions held
- Future solicitations you wish to be mailed
(Please limit requests to services and/or parts that can be provided by your business.) - Identify if business has DBE, MBE, WBE status
Disadvantage Business Enterprises
If anyone feels that their firm qualifies as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) under 49 CFR Part 26, contact:
Annie Powell
DBE Coordinator
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
1617 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Telephone 423-629-1411
Fax 423-698-2749
Download the DBE application here:
Download the Personal Net Worth form here:
Download general information and a DBE certification application checklist here:
On an annual basis, CARTA establishes goals for the participation of disadvantage business in its procurement process.
Certification Eligibility
A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise is defined as a for-profit small business concern:
That is at least 51% owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged or, in the case of a corporation, in which 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals; and Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Other criteria includes, but is not limited to:
- Membership in a protected class;
- The owners’ personal net worth; and
- The owners’ personal net worth; and
Gross receipt averages over three years must not exceed $17.4 million (heavy construction contractor) or $4 million (engineering consultant).
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for FFYs 2024-2026
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) at 49 CFR Part 26, are proposing to establish a 3% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for Federal Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026. CARTA plans to achieve this goal using 1% race-conscious means and 2% race-neutral means. If you have any questions or comments about CARTA’s proposed DBE goal, or if you wish to review CARTA’s proposed goal and its rationale, please contact Annie Powell at 
or at 423-629-1411. Comments may also be directed to USDOT, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Comments will be accepted for 30 days following the publication of this notice. Any comments may be used by CARTA in establishing its goal for DBE participation in federally funded or federally assisted contracts awarded by CARTA.
Program Management Plan – Section 5310
CARTA is the recipient for the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 funds. CARTA coordinates with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization for a transparent call for projects process. Please review CARTA’s Program Management Plan and forward any comments to Annie Powell at https://www.gocarta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CARTA-Section-5310-Program-Management-Plan-Draft.pdf
Current Procurements
Request for Proposals for Incline Marketing Services: please click here for a copy of the RFP. Click here for Addendum 1.