DBEs: Diverse Business Enterprise

WBEs: Women Business Enterprises   

MBEs: Minority Business Enterprises   

SDVs: Service Disabled Veterans

Supplier Diversity is an organizational practice that systematically encourages the inclusion of suppliers owned and operated by diverse individuals (people of color, women, disable veterans, etc.). 

Supplier Diversity is a business program that encourages the use of previously underutilized minority owned vendors as suppliers.

Why do supplier diversity programs exist?  Diverse suppliers would be underrepresented in the American supply-chain as vendor/supplier.

Supplier Diversity Initiatives Seek To:  

• Create equity in the marketplace while improving innovation

• Lowering costs

• Accessing new markets

• Raising the companies perceived value and, in some cases,

• Complying with regulatory requirements.

    ** Minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) are among the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy.

    ** Minority-owned businesses generate an estimated $495 billion in annual revenue and employ nearly 4 million workers, while women-owned firms employ about 19
    million people and generate $2.5 trillion in annual sales.

    ** Major corporations as well as large institutions and public agencies throughout the U.S. have made it a priority to tap these burgeoning businesses and create a
    diverse base of suppliers. Helping Corporations and institutions to meet supplier diversity goals, is the National Minority Supplier Development Council (39 affiliated
    councils located throughout the United States) with headquarters in New York, NY.

Contracting & Procurement:  Large Corporations, Prime Contractors, Government Agencies,  Public Entities seek to procure a diverse group of suppliers through contracting certain services with those that qualify as diverse suppliers. Some programs also seek small businesses in general. Types of contracts are diverse & can range from construction, engineering, & skilled labor to professional services such as videography, photography, printing, promotional items, & much more.

RFP:  Request For Proposal. Most agencies, corporations, and other entities that contract out specific services will put forth guidelines and request a proposal from the potential contractor to bid on. The contractor must compete with others and win the contract. 

Prime Contractors are those working with larger corporations, government entities, public agencies, on a contract basis. PRIMES are often larger small businesses, medium, or large companies themselves, and will often seek small and/or WBEs, MBEs, SDVs to work with on a contract in order to satisfy supplier diversity requirements outlined by the corporation/entity/agency contracting for the service.  Smaller businesses may be able to fill a niche within the contract that the PRIME cannot fill itself, and therefore can be a subcontractor.

Sub Contractors  are utilized by Prime Contractors to serve a niche within a larger contract that they cannot fulfill themselves.

WBE Certification:  WBENC: www.wbenc.org Women's Business Enterprise National Council

MBE Certification:  San Diego Regional Minority Supplier Development Council Copy and paste into web browser
http://msdc.adaptone.com/gsdbdc/app/template/contentMgmt,ContentView.vm/id/1460;jsessionid=4DC58683276579C8E9B3D6376342B507'

SDV Certification:  Elite SDOVB (San Diego)  www.elitesdvob.org/joomla

Free assistance working with government agencies:  San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC) - A Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
The San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC), also known as Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), is funded by local government agencies and the Department of Defense. Our mission is to assist San Diego small businesses in how to do business with federal, state and local government agencies.  This assistance is provided at no cost to the small business owner. Small businesses (SBA) that have a product or service needed by a government agency are welcome to apply for services.  Learn more about our services and the benefits of government contracting  www.ptac-sandiego.org

San Diego County Water Authority Contracting Program:  SCOOP: Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program. 
What is SCOOP?  The San Diego County Water Authority's Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program (SCOOP) is designed to maximize participation of diverse qualified small contractors, consultants and vendors seeking to do business with the San Diego County Water Authority.  www.sdcwa.org/opps/scoop.phtml'

Sempra Energy Supplier Diversity Program
Sempra Energy is committed to making the most of opportunities by working with a range of suppliers and setting yearly procurement goals for women-, minority- (WMBE) and service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses (DVBE).  A dedicated Diverse Business Strategy Team and a thorough database of Diverse Business Enterprises (DBEs) allow Sempra Energy and our companies to use suppliers who meet our high standards. www.sempra.com/supplierdiversity/supplier.htm'

Metropolitan Water District SoCal Business Center Small/Regional/Diverse Business Programs
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Business Outreach Programs.  The Business Outreach Program was launched in 2001. Small businesses, locally-owned businesses, disabled veterans, women, minorities, economically disadvantaged business enterprises – all are encouraged to participate. The program earns critical acclaim throughout the state as a model for public agency contracting programs.  Visit www.mwdh20.com and then Doing Business, or: www.mwdh2o.com/mwdh2o/pages/business/business01.html
 

 

 

HOME            ABOUT THE WBCC            SERVICES: PROGRAMS/EVENTS            BIZ ESSENTIALS            CONTACT            CALENDAR