Supplier Diversification Program Goals
- Create a new diverse supplier procurement model for Seattle University
- Increase the capacity of local BIPOC small business owners to contract with large local purchasers
- Build an ecosystem of comprehensive small business support services
- Create a pipeline of inclusive procurement purchasing
- Increase the number of DBEs providing goods and services to Seattle University
- Disseminate lessons learned
To achieve our goals of increasing procurement spending with DBEs and annually doubling the number of DBE, BIPOC and Black vendors contracted, Seattle University plans to:
- Identify diverse business enterprises (DBEs) and designate them in the internal procurement system; work with the RAMP.up program to bring more DBE suppliers to the university; include DBEs in all RFP’s over $50,000; track spending with DBEs; and regularly share DBE spending percentages.
- Develop a supplier diversity model, including analyzing current vendors and spending; developing procedures and a procurement system that facilitate diverse purchasing; and sharing best practices with like-minded institutions.
- We will pursue BIPOC community engagement through utilizing and strengthening our BIPOC network to help with the procurement readiness pilot; reaching out to local BIPOC and especially Black community leaders to initiate networking; and hiring consultants from the community to compliment internal leadership.
