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Objectives

Developing University Wide Participation
Procurement buyers, contractors and other University decision-makers are encouraged to establish relationships with minority and women-owned businesses.

University decision-makers are encouraged to use the Supplier Diversity Online Directory (SDOD) and hardcopy directory to identify minority and women-owned businesses. 

Some of the techniques used to encourage University decision-makers include:

  1. Attend trade and opportunity fairs to meet new suppliers

  2. Award long-term contracts or renew options to help ensure continuous M/WBE participation

  3. Consider special payment terms

  4. Provide adequate quotation lead times

  5. Simplify paperwork requirements

  6. Assist Vendor in understanding the University’s contracting/procurement process

  7. Encourage majority  suppliers and contractors to utilize minority and women-owned businesses in their proposals or purchase orders as part of their terms and conditions in the bid process

  8. Inform vice presidents, deans, directors, business and fiscal officers on local, state and federal regulations that affect minority and women-owned businesses

  9. Maintain memberships and associations with minority and women-owned business councils

  10. Plan/develop recognition incentives for departments that meet or exceed UAB's M/WBE goals and objectives

Training/Education

UAB's Supplier Diversity Participation Advisory Committee conducts quarterly roundtable training sessions on the utilization of minority and women-owned businesses. 

The Roundtable training sessions are in classroom style and presented to invited representatives of various departments.  The objective is to discuss the minority business affairs program – specifically, the utilization of minority and women-owned businesses.  The groups are small, informal and have a free interchange of ideas and suggestions.

Groups are selected according to the department’s level of participation.  For example, departments with the greater M/WBE participation meet with departments with very little participation to share ideas, discuss obstacles and find ways to improve or enhance their participation.

The Reporting System

The Procurement Reporting System produces various reports on participation of minority and women-owned businesses.  Reports are available shortly after the end of each quarter.  The Reports provide sufficient detail to allow management to understand its level of participation, identify problems and assess what corrective actions that can be taken.

The Department of Supplier Diversity collects and maintains current and historical data that relate to the utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises.

  
 

 

 
 

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