Section 3356-3-01.1 - Supplier diversity(A) Policy statement. Youngstown state university (university) strives to enable diverse business to share and grow in economic markets and seeks to form strong bonds with the surrounding communities by strengthening supplier diversity and establishing mutually beneficial relationships with socially and economically disadvantaged businesses by utilizing diverse vendors defined as minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned, business enterprises.(B) Purpose. The use of diverse vendors is an integral part of the university's procurement procedures and is intended to increase the utilization of diverse suppliers whenever possible. By providing opportunities for diverse suppliers to market and sell goods and services, the university seeks to increase its use of diverse suppliers.(C) Parameters.(1) The university strives to provide opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises.(2) In order to track diversity spending, suppliers must be certified through one or more of the state of Ohio's diversity programs: minority business enterprise (MBE); encouraging diversity, growth and equity (EDGE); women business enterprise (WBE); and/or veteran-friendly business enterprise (VBE).(3) The university recognizes that diversity has a positive impact on the community and may create a competitive advantage for some suppliers.(4) All employees authorized to make purchases with university funds shall comply with this policy to ensure equal opportunities and nondiscrimination.(5) All employees authorized to make purchases with university funds have a responsibility to consider diverse suppliers in order to increase the utilization of diverse suppliers.(6) The office of diversity, equity and inclusion and procurement services are together responsible for identifying and verifying diverse vendors.(7) Procurement services is responsible for ensuring that equal opportunities are available to vendors during competitive selection events.(D) Procedures.(1) Together, the office of diversity, equity and inclusion and procurement services will work with state, federal and other certification agencies to maintain awareness of diverse suppliers and will encourage eligible uncertified suppliers to apply for certification.(2) Procurement services will regularly search for certified diverse suppliers that can provide competitively priced and high-quality goods and services.(3) Procurement services will provide access to diverse suppliers by maintaining up-to-date vendor diversity information on its website.(4) When subcontractors are utilized, procurement services will ensure that primary vendors demonstrate efforts to subcontract with diverse vendors.(E) Related Links. (1) Diversity business information via YSU website.(2) Certified MBE suppliers via Ohio DAS website.(3) EDGE suppliers via the DAS website.(4) Certified MBE suppliers via the OSMDC website.(5) Certified MBE suppliers via the NMSDC website.(6) Youngstown business incubator minority business assistance center.Ohio Admin. Code 3356-3-01.1
Effective: 12/29/2022
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3356.03
Rule Amplifies: 3356.03