Project Clearinghouse

Addressing Supplier Diversity & Equity in Procurement

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

There is a lack of engagement with small and marginalized businesses within public contracting, including those owned by minorities, women, people with disabilities, native members of the LGBTQI community, etc. This perpetuates inequality seen in the marketplace and contributes to disparities in business outcomes. My research informs ways in which the University of California can offer increased access to contract opportunities and the removal of structural barriers for disadvantaged businesses.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Business & Economics
Purchasing
Social Justice
Project Status: 
Completed
Campus Organization: 
Provost's Sustainability Internship Program
Sustainability Office
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Procurement Services
Project Location: 
Both on and off campus

2300 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
100 Enterprise Way, Scotts Valley, CA 95066


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressDepartment
Darin Matthews
darin@ucsc.edu
Procurement Services
Katie Syme
ksyme@ucsc.edu
Provost Sustainability Internship
Funding Sources: 
Provost’s Sustainability Internship Program
Procurement Services

Project Description: 

My project focused on implementing a standardized supplier equity program for underutilized and developing businesses within the UC system. This includes a variety of business certifications, such as Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprises (MBE, WBE), Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SD-VOSB), Business Enterprises Owned by People with Disabilities (BEPD), and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Owned Businesses (LGBTBE), etc. In order to do this, the project required research and analysis of structural causes behind procurement disparities in the United States and the University of California. I used the resulting data to write a report of my findings and consequential recommendations for UCSC Procurement. In doing this work, we can use the powerful industry of institutional procurement to influence equity and inclusion in our communities.

Metrics for Success: 

My research for this project includes:
4-5 equitable practices not executed at UC
10 reported disparity reports within public procurement
3-5 examples of both local and national small business programs.

Next Steps: 
This project must be presented to UCSC Procurement staff and major UC contacts in order for it to move forward. Indicators of success in this project include its implementation through UCOP policy and increased contracting opportunities for diverse suppliers. In the future, we want to be able to measure supplier participation in order to improve and set goals for long-term growth.
Result Categories: 
Behavior Change
Policy
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

The result of this project is a detailed report of the best practices and recommendations for both UC Santa Cruz Procurement and the UC Office of the President. I plan on presenting this project in the following year and continuing my work with suppliers.
While I anticipated reading 10 disparity studies, I only read 4 due to the volume of the information. These disparity studies provided the data needed to better understand and relay the problem of inequitable access in purchasing. I also looked for leading regional, national, and international examples in procurement equity and supplier diversification. This research, in addition to interviews with supplier diversity advocates and UCSC Procurement staff, provided me with several avenues for improvement within public contracting. I found more than 5 equitable practices not executed at UCSC, but divided them accordingly. Suggested opportunities for small and disadvantaged business engagement include changes in policy, culture, outreach, accessibility, and future research.

Resources
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Image icon annualspend.png40.85 KB
Image icon nonlocalvslocal spend.png109.96 KB
PDF icon Katie Syme.pdf1021.37 KB
Related Websites: 
Procurement Equity Presentation
Port of Portland Disparity Study and Action Plan
photos