Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Program


Broad Mix of Qualified Suppliers

Supplier Diversity and Inclusion is simply a broader mix of qualified suppliers to meet Procurement needs.

It exhibits the way an organization configures opportunity, interaction, communication and decision making in support of diverse suppliers.

Mirrors Our Supplier Base

It includes developing a Procurement process that mirrors our supplier base to the community, our student body and employee body.

Offers Distinct Opportunities

Supply Diversity and Inclusion allows us to bring into play the following opportunities to achieve superior solutions by engaging our local community.

  • Competition
  • Culture Awareness
  • Innovation

Partnership with diverse suppliers will give Emory a competitive advantage when facing the ever-changing customer demographics. It provides economic opportunities and growth to suppliers and the regions they operate within. Because most diverse suppliers are small businesses, they are usually able to offer greater flexibility, better customer focus and lower cost structures than larger businesses.

Supplier Diversity and Inclusion's other benefits are:

  • It provides multiple channels from which to procure goods and services.
  • It provides alignment with the changing demographics.
  • It's a commitment being beyond compliant.
  • It provides increase market share penetration with diverse communities.
  • It drives competition and cost reduction through the supply channels.
  • It improves metrics by bringing value and innovation, thereby, decreasing inefficiencies.
  • It increases the organization's bottom line (revenue).
  • It showcases the organization's interest in and commitment to the economic growth of all communities.
  • It can offer tax credits to Georgia companies for payments made to subcontractors certified as minority businesses.

YES!

Diverse certification is an important milestone in the life of a supplier because it authenticates that the business is owned, managed, and controlled by a qualifying diverse group. In order for an organization to record and report diverse spend, the suppliers need to be certified through third-party certification agencies. Certification also opens the doors for opportunities to contract with the federal government, which has a mandate to increase the number of diverse suppliers within an organization's supply chain. 

How many categories are there to identify diverse suppliers? 

There are approximately 16 categories. Common examples include:

  • Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
  • Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  • Women's Business Enterprise (WBE)

Statement of business certifications/classifications must be obtained through the following agencies:

  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • Any State/Municipality Certification
  • DD Form 214 Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE)

Registration of Small MWBEs

  • Federal Government's System for Award Management (SAM)
  • SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search database (DSBS)

Assist with Sourcing Diverse Suppliers

  • Work closely with the Sourcing Managers, Buyers and End Users in sourcing diverse suppliers. The tool that is used is the SBA's Dynamic Small Business Module (DSBS).
  • Negotiate industrial standard commodities with Small, MWBEs.
  • Conduct negotiations with Small, MWBEs
  • Hold large contract suppliers accountable to assist Procurement with Tier-1 Small, MWBEs

Coach Diverse Suppliers on "How to do business with Emory University"

Collaborate with other Departments

  • Assists with the Office of Sponsor Programs with composing Small Business Subcontracting Plans (SBSP) on all federal contracts that exceed $700,000.
  • Attends team meetings during the federal solicitation process and/or the Notification of Award (NOA).
  • Encourage engagement and support from Executive Leadership

Prepare Federal Reports

  • Prepare reports for the Federal Reporting Process. 
  • Track and monitor quarterly reports and enter the data into the Federal Government's eSRS system.
  • The current federal cumulative contract value that is reported on is close to $1b.

The following link can be used to register your business in three easy steps:

  1. On the registration page, click on "Register here" to establish login credentials.
  2. Complete your capability profile.
  3. Please attach all applicable certification documents to the profile for verification. A complete profile is needed for your capabilities to be visible to Emory University Procurement.

Contact Us

Emory University is committed to expanding opportunities for certified diverse businesses. If you are interested in the opportunity of working with Emory University as a Certified Diverse Business, then email your capability statement and 1 - 3 areas of interest to supplier.diversity@emory.edu.