Supplier Diversity Program
Providing Information, Resources, and Opportunity
The Office of Procurement Services provides outreach to businesses that are small, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or owned by persons with disabilities through its supplier diversity program. We seek to provide relevant information and resources to assist all suppliers in their pursuit of business opportunities with the university.
Our Key Strategies:
- Outreach. Deliver relevant, accurate information and resources that promote all suppliers’ participation in university procurement opportunities.
- In-reach. Educate and engage university departments in the university’s supplier diversity initiatives.
- Lateral reach. Collaborate with state and community partners to develop strategies for increasing the utilization of businesses that are small, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or owned by persons with disabilities.
The University of Tennessee complies with all state and federal laws. As an instrumentality of the State of Tennessee, the University does not have mandated set-asides for small or diversity spend and does not show preference in its procurement processes based on business classifications.
Information and Resources for Current and Potential UT Suppliers
UT Procurement provides numerous workshops and resources to assist suppliers in their pursuit of potential opportunities with the University. Please visit the Info for Bidders and Suppliers area of the UT Procurement website to take advantage of these resources.
State of Tennessee Certification
UT Procurement Services partners with multiple state and local agencies that work with small and diversity-owned businesses. One such agency is the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, also known as GoDBE. Among other services, GoDBE certifies Tennessee small businesses.
Benefits of GoDBE certification:
- Certified companies are listed in the TN Diversity Business Directory.
- Certification increases exposure among TN government agencies, general contractors, and corporations.
Eligible suppliers may visit this website to learn more, State of Tennessee Diversity Business Enterprise Program
Search the UT Market Place for Sustainable Products, or Products Supplied by Companies with Small or Diversity-Business Certifications
Search for UT Purchasing Agreements with Suppliers That Have Small or Diversity Business Certifications
Search for Current UT Suppliers That Have Small or Diversity Business Certifications
Search for Suppliers in the GoDBE Directory
The Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (GoDBE) maintains a directory of Tennessee-certified small businesses. University departments are encouraged to use the directory to search for suppliers for small purchases and informal bids. The directory is updated daily and offers multiple search options.
Use the Supplier Explorer Tool
Contact kbinkley@tennessee.edu for access and for more information.
Employee Workshops:
UT Small Business Initiatives: Supplier Explorer
Register in K@TE to participate in this workshop and see a demonstration of the new Supplier Explorer tool available to UT employees.
Additional Resources
- 2023 Annual Report, Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise
- 2022 Annual Report, Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise
- 2021 Annual Report, Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise
- 2023 U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Profiles