Understanding Supplier Diversity Programs and Certifications
Supplier diversity programs aim to promote inclusion of diverse, local, and small businesses as suppliers of goods and services. Diverse suppliers, such as minority-owned or women-owned businesses, play a crucial role in fostering equity and competition, leading to economic benefits for communities and organizations like Lehigh University. Certifications from organizations like WBENC and NMSDC validate diverse supplier status, ensuring fair opportunities. Embracing supplier diversity enhances value, quality, and sustainability in procurement practices.
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Supplier Diversity Program Introduction 1
Lehighs Mission to Supplier Diversity The mission of Lehigh s Supplier Diversity Program is to implement programs and procedures that maximize the inclusion of diverse, local and small businesses as suppliers of goods and services consistent with Lehigh s commitment to foster a diverse and inclusive university community. We recognize that by encouraging an environment that promotes inclusion and the participation of diverse and local suppliers, this will ultimately lead to a process that provides the best value for Lehigh. 3
What is a Diverse Supplier? A diverse supplier is, in the broadest sense, a business that is 51% or more owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group. There are more than a dozen categories used to identify a supplier as diverse. Small-business enterprises (SBEs) Several common examples include: Minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) Woman-owned business enterprises (WBEs) Diverse suppliers can be third-party certified or self certified. In order for Lehigh to publicly report diverse supplier spend, it is important to ensure that our suppliers are certified through third-party, state or federal certifying agencies. 4
Where do supplier certifications come from? Women s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) US Dept of Veterans Affairs / Vets First Verification Program State and local governments/ regional councils These entities focus on certifying, connecting and advocating for diverse suppliers by offering nationally recognized third-party certification services. They service the public and private sector across all industries. State and local governments and regional councils also offer certification services. 5
What is the Value of Supplier Diversity? Equity and inclusion for businesses often left out of a supplier base Positive economic benefit for local socio-economic communities Widen the pool of suppliers and promote competition which can improve quality, decrease costs and improve resiliency Cultivation of sustainable partnerships with suppliers and campus customers Competitive pricing and improved bottom line for Lehigh Agile service providers with an eagerness to accurately and efficiently get products and services to us 6
What can you do? Support the mission of the program; understand the value to the community Use program SOPs, forms/document ation, policies, training materials Utilize the diverse supplier database to identify suppliers for inclusion Include diverse suppliers in all competitive selection (RFP) opportunities 7
Identifying & Including Diverse Suppliers If your purchase is below the bid threshold of $10,000, you can select a supplier of choice. However, if the value is over that threshold and there is no contract in place, bidding is required and diverse suppliers should be included whenever possible. Lehigh s Diverse Supplier database contains millions of diverse suppliers and is searchable by various filters such as certification, industry, geographic location and many more. Lehigh s RFP templates include questions for suppliers about supplier diversity certifications they may have. Good Faith Effort documentation is required if a non-diverse supplier is selected, which prompts for details of the selection process - if diverse supplies were included or not, and if awarded or not, etc. 8
Lehigh Supplier Diversity Program Contacts and Information Purchasing Contacts: Jon Sherman, Purchasing Coordinator Jos222@lehigh.edu (610) 758-3841 Jane Altemose, Director Purchasing Services jca209@lehigh.edu (610) 758-4637 Lehigh SD Webpage: https://businessservices.lehigh.edu/supplier-diversity-program Additional Contacts: Donald Outing, VP, Equity and Community dao417@lehigh.edu (610) 758-3133 Brett Smith, Director, Small Business Development Center bds206@lehigh.edu (610) 758-5878 Lehigh Small Business Resources: Small Business Development Center (SBDC) https://business.lehigh.edu/centers/small-business- development-center insbdc@lehigh.edu (610) 758-3980 9
