DOT Invites Small Businesses to Join Major Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the start of a nationwide initiative designed to bring small businesses into large infrastructure projects being developed across multiple states.

The initiative, called the Small Business Matchmaking Summits, aims to connect business owners directly with federal officials responsible for awarding contracts related to transportation, logistics, and infrastructure modernization.

The program was introduced by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, who said the goal is to make it easier for small companies to access federal contracting opportunities that have historically been dominated by large corporations. To achieve this, the DOT is taking the meetings outside Washington, D.C., and hosting them across the country, bringing information and federal officials closer to local businesses.

According to Duffy, the strategy is designed to position small businesses as active partners in building infrastructure projects that have a direct impact on the economy and on the daily lives of American families.

The first event begins in Arizona

The first stop on the tour will take place March 11 in Phoenix, Arizona, where more than 300 small businesses have already registered to participate in the kickoff event.

During the summit, business owners will have the opportunity to interact directly with federal officials, contracting officers, and procurement specialists. The goal is to help companies better understand how federal contracting works and what opportunities exist for participating in projects funded by the federal government.

The event will feature expert panels, informal discussions with specialists, and networking sessions designed to create direct connections between small businesses and public agencies.

One of the most important aspects of the summit will be the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with officials from more than ten federal agencies, including all nine subagencies that make up the Department of Transportation. These meetings will allow entrepreneurs to present their capabilities, learn about contracting requirements, and explore potential partnerships.

The critical role of small businesses in the U.S. economy

Small businesses play a central role in the American economy. According to official data, they represent 99.9% of all businesses in the United States and employ more than 62 million workers.

Their presence is also significant in the transportation and logistics sector. Currently, there are more than four million small businesses operating in activities related to freight transportation, logistics, warehousing, infrastructure maintenance, and mobility services.

The Department of Transportation believes expanding the participation of these companies in infrastructure projects not only strengthens competition in the contracting process but also promotes regional economic growth and job creation.

Billions already invested in infrastructure contracts

The federal government has already allocated substantial resources to small businesses in recent years. According to the Department of Transportation, more than $3 billion in contracts were awarded to small businesses during fiscal year 2025 for infrastructure-related projects.

These funds were used to finance projects aimed at improving road safety, modernizing transportation networks, and strengthening logistics efficiency across different regions of the country.

The new nationwide tour is designed to expand that level of participation even further, making it easier for more companies to access these contracting opportunities.

The initiative is also supported by the DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, which works to ensure that smaller companies can compete fairly for federally funded infrastructure projects.

Next stops on the nationwide tour

Following the inaugural event in Phoenix, the Department of Transportation will continue the tour throughout 2026 with additional stops planned in North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Each event will follow the same format, including expert panels, meetings with federal officials, and networking opportunities between business owners and government representatives.

DOT officials expect the initiative to expand the pool of suppliers participating in national infrastructure projects while strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.

As federal investment in transportation and logistics continues to grow, the program aims to position thousands of small businesses as key contributors to the construction and modernization of America’s infrastructure. For many local companies, participating in these summits could represent the first step toward securing federal contracts and expanding their role in the national infrastructure economy.