Supplier Diversity Procurement Program
The University of South Alabama is committed to the goal of non-discrimination and to giving fair consideration for all vendors in its procurement programs while providing efficient and cost-effective acquisition of quality goods and services.
The University's Supplier Diversity Procurement Program exists to ensure that small, women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned firms have full opportunity to compete for the University's business. The Supplier Diversity Procurement Program serves as a liaison between the vendor community and all University staff with procurement responsibilities.
The University of South Alabama is committed to actively seeking goods and services from diverse businesses. We strive to enhance our supplier base to reflect the markets that we serve.
The University of South Alabama defines diverse businesses as minority, women, and socially or economiclly disadvantaged business enterrpises that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S citizens who are members of one or more of the diverse owned businesses, or in the case of a publicaly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by a diverse group(s), that meet the following criteria:
- African American (Black) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
- Hispanic American - All persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central, Latin, or South American, Portugese, or other Hispanic origin regardless of race.
- Native American - All persons having origins in any of the priginal peoples of North American and who maintain cultural identification through tribal affiliations or Eskimos, Aleuts, and native Hawaiians.
- Asian/Pacific Amreicans - All persons having origins in any of the peoples of Japan, China, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific Island, Northern Mariana Island, Laos, Cambodia, or Taiwan.
- Asian/Indian Americans All persons having origins in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.
- Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
- Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DBE) - A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; there is a record of such an impairment; or is regarded has having such an impairment.
- Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VBE)
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
- HUBZone Business Enterprise
It is the policy of the University of South Alabama, through its Supplier Diversity Procurement Program, to increase the business opportunities for diverse businesses. The University's commitment is to maximize diverse business participation through the development of mutually beneficial business relationships with such firms. The effort is university-wide and includes traditional procurement and contracted services as well as subcontracting and joint venture activities.
It is the responsibility of all schools/colleges/divisions, along with Purchasing and Facilities Planning and Management, to seek out diverse businesses and take the steps necessary to assure that these businesses receive a fair share in the economic opportunities available.
The program is intended to build an awareness of the University's efforts and to provide opportunities for diverse businesses While the University does not practice set-asides, it makes every effort to provide opportunities and assistance to diverse business suppliers to do business with the University within the requirements of the Alabama Competitive Bid Law and Alabama Public Works Law.
This program is developed, not as a response to outside regulatory agencies or mandatory requirements, but as an effort to recognize and support programs which can enhance the minority communities.
To view a list of certified Diverse Businesses please check the links below: