California High-Speed Rail: Program Momentum and What It Means for Small Business

 

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) continues to advance one of the largest infrastructure programs in the United States, connecting major population centers across more than 800 miles of planned rail. As the program progresses in 2026, there is a clear emphasis on moving projects forward and expanding opportunities for industry partners across California.

At CHSRA’s recent small business outreach event in Pasadena, Tracks to Opportunity Networking Summit, held on March 25, 2026, leadership reinforced a shift toward delivery, emphasizing practical execution, streamlined contracting, and continued engagement with small businesses. I attended the event where I met Emily Morrison, CHSRA Chief of Contracting, and dozens of CHSRA representatives and well over 100 firm representatives. This was a well-attended and informative event!

A Shift Toward Delivery

As CHSRA progresses, the program is continuing to move from long-term planning into active implementation. This shift brings:

• Greater emphasis on execution and delivery
• Continued refinement of procurement approaches
• Increased opportunities tied to advancing project sections

CHSRA’s Draft 2026 Business Plan reinforces this direction, highlighting continued advancement of key project sections and a focus on delivering usable segments of the system. The plan also outlines the Authority’s strategy for sustaining progress through phased implementation.

Highlights from CHSR Business Plan
$25B+ economic impact & 16K+ jobs already generated – signaling long-term contracting opportunities New revenue + private partnerships expand opportunities beyond construction into operations and development Phased delivery (Merced–Bakersfield first) accelerates near-term procurement – creating earlier entry points for small & DVBE firms

The Draft Business Plan was released on February 28, 2026, and is currently open for a 60-day public comment period through April 29, 2026, providing industry stakeholders an opportunity to offer input on the program’s path forward.

The Draft 2026 Business Plan is available here:

• https://hsr.ca.gov/communications-outreach/reports/business-plans/2026-business-plan/
• Comments due April 29, 2026

Small Business and DVBE Participation: More Than a Goal

A defining feature of CHSRA’s program is its commitment to small business participation, including California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs).

CHSRA has established a 25 percent small business participation goal and 3 percent DVBE goal, reinforcing the importance of integrating qualified small businesses into project delivery.

While both state and federal programs include small business goals, CHSRA’s approach places a strong emphasis on consistent participation and meaningful scopes of work throughout project delivery. This creates sustained opportunities for firms that can contribute across multiple phases.

Scout’s Experience Supporting California High-Speed Rail

Scout supported CHSRA as part of the Sener CEQA/NEPA environmental team for the Palmdale to Burbank Project Section Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), a critical segment of the statewide system connecting Northern California to Los Angeles.

The approximately 31- to 38-mile project section evaluated high-speed rail service between Palmdale and the Burbank Airport, including alignment alternatives through complex environmental and urban interfaces such as the Angeles National Forest and the San Fernando Valley. The Final EIR/EIS, released in May 2024, represents a key milestone in advancing this segment of the program under both CEQA and NEPA.

As part of the Regional Consultant Environmental Team, Scout supported several key components of the environmental process, including:

• Public and agency comment response
  Supported responses to more than 2,400 comments, coordinating across technical disciplines and developing both standardized and project-specific responses
• Rapid-response field and GIS support
  Deployed a field team to collect and map data within a compressed schedule, delivering GIS products and visual documentation to inform project analysis
• Final document production and quality control
  Assisted in preparation, review, and delivery of final environmental documents, ensuring consistency across multiple volumes
• Accessibility compliance (Section 508)
  Led and supported Section 508 compliance requirements by enhancing the accessibility of visual content and improving usability for various audiences

This experience reflects Scout’s ability to provide responsive, detail-oriented environmental planning support on large, complex infrastructure programs.

Looking Ahead

California High-Speed Rail represents a long-term investment in the state’s infrastructure, with continued opportunities for firms prepared to support its delivery.

Scout is proud to contribute as a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise with direct CHSRA experience and a focus on environmental planning and compliance.

Contact us today to have Scout help meet your CHRSA environmental planning and compliance DVBE needs: hello@scoutenv.com. We look forward to being your trusted small business and DVBE partner!