LOS Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, doing business as Metro, is a U.S. local government transit authority that receives federal grants as a prime recipient to design, construct, and operate bus and rail transit systems across Los Angeles County, with no federal contracting footprint as a prime or subcontractor on defense or civilian procurement vehicles. Metro is a public sector entity headquartered in Los Angeles, California, operating the region's multimodal public transportation network.

Metro's federal grant portfolio centers on transit capital and operating assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under multiple transit programs. Representative work includes a $3.573 billion Federal Transit Capital Investment Grant (CFDA 20.500) obligated September 6, 2024, for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project—a 6.7-mile light rail system with 11 stations and 34 vehicles targeting completion December 31, 2033. Metro received a $269.464 million project grant (CFDA 20.526) awarded July 29, 2024, for zero-emission bus acquisition, charging infrastructure design and construction, and workforce development through April 30, 2032. A $402.99 million Federal Transit Formula Grant (CFDA 20.507) obligated August 5, 2025, funds one year of comprehensive bus preventive maintenance for fixed-route operations. Metro also holds a $235.8 million State of Good Repair grant (CFDA 20.525) awarded August 28, 2025, supporting rail vehicle and facility preventive maintenance through December 31, 2026. The agency acts as a grant recipient managing direct project implementation; where Metro functions as a designated recipient for Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grants, it administers funds through multiple subrecipient agencies across Los Angeles County. Metro does not intend to subaward most grant funds, performing activities directly.

Customer concentration is overwhelming with the Federal Transit Administration, which accounts for 290 of 337 awards in the source portfolio. Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters financial assistance awards comprise 27 awards, primarily related to Rail and Transit Security Grant Program (CFDA 97.075) funding, including a $10.913 million security infrastructure grant awarded September 1, 2024, and a $10.217 million rail and transit security award from September 2, 2022. The Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary accounts for 5 awards, including two Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants: $12.12 million for QR code digital ticketing implementation (CFDA 20.941) obligated August 1, 2025, with completion targeted July 31, 2028, and $2 million for curb management digital inventory development (CFDA 20.941) awarded September 15, 2023.

Metro's grant footprint spans capital investment (light rail and bus rapid transit construction), preventive maintenance operations (both bus and rail fleets), zero-emission vehicle acquisition and charging infrastructure, workforce development, security enhancements, and technology modernization (digital ticketing, payroll system replacement, e-paper bus stop displays). Recent activity shows 14 awards in 2025 and 27 in 2024, with 21 awards facing ultimate completion inside the next twenty-four months. Metro's role as a public transit agency recipient means it receives formula grants, project grants, and competitive grants directly from FTA and FEMA rather than competing for procurement contracts or teaming as a subcontractor; the organization is exempt from federal small-business set-asides and operates without SBA certifications.