Finance > Procurement Services > Supplier Diversity Program

Supplier Diversity Program

 

Providing Information, Resources, and Opportunity

The Office of Procurement Services provides outreach to small and diversity-owned businesses through its supplier diversity program.  We seek to provide relevant information and resources to assist diverse suppliers in their pursuit of business opportunities with the university.

 

Our Key Strategies:

  • Outreach. Deliver relevant, accurate information and resources that promote diverse 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 create strategies for increasing the utilization of diverse suppliers, particularly minority-owned businesses.

The University of Tennessee complies with all state and federal laws relating to supplier diversity.  As an instrumentality of the State of Tennessee, the University does not have mandated set-asides for small or diversity spend and cannot show preference in its procurement processes based on size, diversity, or gender status.

Information and Resources for Current and Potential UT Suppliers

UT’s Supplier Diversity Program 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 Diversity Certification

UT Procurement Services partners with multiple state and local agencies that serve small and diversity-owned businesses.   One of our partners is the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, also known as GoDBE.   Among other services, GoDBE certifies Tennessee businesses that are small, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or owned by persons with disabilities.

Benefits of GoDBE certification for eligible suppliers:

  • Certified companies are listed in the TN Diversity Business Directory.
  • Certification increases exposure among TN government agencies, general contractors, and corporations.
  • Certification increases exposure among UT departments.

We encourage eligible suppliers to certify as a small or diversity-owned business with the State of Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (GoDBE).

For more information, visit  The State of Tennessee Diversity Business Enterprise Program.

Search for Diversity-Supplied Products in the UT Market Place

 

Search for UT Purchasing Agreements with Diversity Suppliers

 

Search for Diversity Businesses in the Tennessee Diversity Business Directory

University departments seeking to utilize diverse suppliers for small purchases and informal bids may search the Tennessee Diversity Business Directory, maintained by the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (GoDBE).  The directory is updated daily and offers multiple search options.

 

Employee Workshop – Diversity in UT Procurement

Employees are invited to participate in this ninety-minute interactive workshop to learn how supplier diversity is a part of UT procurement policy and to explore how we can work together to support small and diversity-owned businesses.  In the Fall of 2022, this workshop will also be available in digital format in K@TE.

 

Additional Resources