The Journal

Reporting on supplier diversity.

Working coverage of certifications, corporate procurement, federal contracting, financing, and the operators making each work for diverse-owned businesses. Every piece checked against primary sources.

Find my certifications →

Supplier-Diversity

View all articles →

Supplier diversity in Cleveland: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Cleveland Clinic alone spends $14B+ annually and has an active supplier diversity program. Ohio's EDGE certification and the city's M/WBE program are …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a supplier for the University of Texas at Austin: registration and supplier diversity

UT Austin doesn't run a bid list, so there's no single 'register here' button. The real entry points are the Texas Comptroller's …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a supplier for UPMC: registration and supplier diversity

UPMC runs a certification-gated supplier portal and reports 6.7-7% diverse sourceable spend, far above the healthcare average. Here is how registration actually …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Wisconsin: registration and supplier diversity

The University of Wisconsin System runs procurement for 13 universities through ShopUW+, a Jaggaer supplier portal. Registration there plus a VendorNet listing …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Washington: registration and supplier diversity

UW requires a current supplier registration on file before it can pay you, and the full onboarding can run from 1-2 weeks …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Pennsylvania: registration and supplier diversity

Penn registers suppliers through the Jaggaer-powered Penn Marketplace portal, not a public bid board. Here's how to get an invitation, what the …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Minnesota: registration and supplier diversity

The University of Minnesota spent over $54.3 million with diverse suppliers in FY24, up from $50.5 million the year before. Registration runs …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a supplier for the University of Michigan: registration and supplier diversity

U-M runs purchasing through Procurement Services and registers suppliers in its MConnect system. The university tracks minority-, women-, veteran-, and small-business suppliers …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Illinois: registration and supplier diversity

The University of Illinois System buys through the state's higher-ed procurement rules, not a private vendor portal. Registration runs through the Illinois …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for the University of Florida: registration and supplier diversity

UF won't add you as a supplier until a department agrees to buy from you. Here's how the myUFL Supplier Portal registration …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for UCLA: registration and supplier diversity

UCLA onboards suppliers through PaymentWorks, joins small businesses to a dedicated list via SupplierDiversity@finance.ucla.edu, and routes contracts over $100,000 through the UC …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for UC Berkeley: registration and supplier diversity

UC Berkeley buys through the UC systemwide platforms CalUsource and SupplierOne, not a standalone Berkeley portal. Here is how registration, the Small …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Trinity Health: registration and supplier diversity

Trinity Health runs one of the largest Catholic health systems in the country, and it sources suppliers through a STARS SMP portal …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Texas A&M University: registration and supplier diversity

Texas A&M University runs vendor sourcing through AggieBuy and counts diverse suppliers under the State of Texas HUB program, not NMSDC or …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a supplier for Sutter Health: registration and supplier diversity

Sutter Health runs registration through SutterHealth.SupplierGATEWAY.com and approves new vendors through Supply Chain Strategic Sourcing. Here is the actual path in, plus …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a supplier for Stanford University: registration and supplier diversity

Stanford onboards suppliers through Vendor Services and its Supplier and Payee Registry, not an open RFP board. A buying department has to …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for RWJBarnabas Health: registration and supplier diversity

RWJBarnabas Health buys from suppliers through its BuyLocal platform, launched in July 2022 to connect New Jersey's largest academic health system with …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Providence: registration and supplier diversity

Providence runs supplier onboarding through a shared service group, GHX registration, and Vendormate credentialing. Here's how to register, what its supplier diversity …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Penn State: registration and supplier diversity

Penn State runs supplier onboarding through the PaymentWorks portal, not a public bid board. To sell to the university and join its …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Ohio State University: registration and supplier diversity

Ohio State moved supplier setup to a Workday-powered registration site that replaced the old PDF form. Here's how to register, which certifications …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a supplier for New York University: registration and supplier diversity

NYU runs procurement through i-Buy NYU on the JAGGAER platform, and you can't self-register. A department has to invite you first. Here's …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Northwell Health: registration and supplier diversity

Northwell Health runs a $5 billion supply chain across New York's largest health system. Vendor onboarding goes through PaymentWorks by invitation, and …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for NewYork-Presbyterian: registration and supplier diversity

NewYork-Presbyterian routes supplier inquiries through nypvendorsupply@nyp.org and credentials on-site vendors via Green Security or Vendor Pass. Here is how the process actually …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Mount Sinai Health System: registration and supplier diversity

Mount Sinai Health System runs eight hospitals and a medical school across New York, and it buys through a credentialed vendor process …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for MIT: registration and supplier diversity

MIT runs decentralized purchasing through departments and a Coupa-powered supplier portal, and its Purchase with Purpose program courts diverse suppliers. Here is …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Memorial Hermann: registration and supplier diversity

Memorial Hermann routes vendors through a SupplierGateway portal and Symplr credentialing, and a request must originate inside the system. Here is how …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Mass General Brigham: registration and supplier diversity

Mass General Brigham is one of the largest hospital systems in Massachusetts and spends heavily with outside suppliers. This guide covers vendor …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a supplier for Johns Hopkins Medicine: registration and supplier diversity

Johns Hopkins Health System runs vendor registration through its contract management system and reviews new vendors via a monthly committee. Here is …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Intermountain Health: registration and supplier diversity

Intermountain Health routes new suppliers through symplr credentialing and a supply chain registration form, and it folds supplier diversity into its sustainable …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Henry Ford Health: registration and supplier diversity

Henry Ford Health runs every project of $20,000 or more through competitive bid and requires at least one diverse supplier in the …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Harvard University: registration and supplier diversity

Harvard runs procurement through one central system, Buy-to-Pay (B2P), and you can't register yourself into it cold. Here's how the invitation-based supplier …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Geisinger: registration and supplier diversity

Geisinger runs supplier onboarding through its apexportal Supplier Portal, with a strict ten-business-day registration window and separate credentialing for clinical vendors. Here …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Duke University: registration and supplier diversity

Duke runs vendor onboarding through PaymentWorks and tracks diverse-supplier spend through a SupplierGateway portal. Here is how the two systems differ, who …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Cedars-Sinai: registration and supplier diversity

Cedars-Sinai runs a Supplier Diversity Program through its Supply Chain organization and belongs to SCMSDC, WBEC-West, the Veterans in Business Network, and …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Baylor Scott & White Health: registration and supplier diversity

Baylor Scott & White Health runs supplier onboarding through a SupplierGateway portal at bswh.suppliergateway.com. Here is how registration works, what the supplier …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Banner Health: registration and supplier diversity

Banner Health runs vendor registration through a SupplierGateway portal and launched a formal supplier diversity program in October 2023. Here's how the …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Atrium Health: registration and supplier diversity

Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S. It runs an active supplier …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Arizona State University: registration and supplier diversity

ASU runs all supplier onboarding through PaymentWorks and lists bids through its SunRISE Supplier Portal. Its Supplier Inclusion Program prioritizes small and …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for Advocate Health: registration and supplier diversity

Advocate Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, running 69 hospitals across six states. Here's how its …

Jul 27, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a supplier for AdventHealth: registration and supplier diversity

AdventHealth buys through a company profile form and the Premier group purchasing organization, not a public RFP board. Here is how registration …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a supplier for Georgia Tech: registration and supplier diversity

Georgia Tech runs its supplier setup by invitation through a Supplier Portal, not an open sign-up form. Here is how registration actually …

Jul 27, 2026 · Will Moss

How to Become a CDW Supplier: Vendor Registration and Supplier Diversity Program 2026

CDW accepts supplier registrations through its online vendor portal and actively seeks certified diverse businesses for IT hardware, software, and professional services. …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity program metrics: what to measure and how to report it

Billion Dollar Roundtable members average 14% Tier 1 diverse spend; the Fortune 500 median sits around 9%. Here is how to measure …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Booz Allen Hamilton diverse supplier

Booz Allen Hamilton is a $10 billion federal consulting firm with active small and diverse business subcontracting programs. This guide explains how …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Whirlpool Corporation diverse supplier

Whirlpool Corporation runs a formal supplier diversity program out of its Benton Harbor, MI headquarters and actively sources from MBE, WBE, and …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Subcontracting flow-down clauses: what primes must include in their sub agreements

When your prime contract includes a subcontracting plan, the government expects those obligations to travel down the supply chain. Here is exactly …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Tesla diverse supplier

Tesla sources billions in components and services for its vehicle manufacturing. This guide covers what is publicly known about Tesla's supplier registration, …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Leidos diverse supplier

Leidos is a $15 billion federal IT and defense company with active small business subcontracting programs. Here is how diverse suppliers register, …

Jul 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Allstate Insurance diverse supplier

Allstate Insurance is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member with $57B in revenue and a formal supplier diversity program that actively tracks MBE …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in automotive: how to get into the GM, Ford, and Stellantis supply chain

The Big Three automakers pioneered supplier diversity and collectively spend over $3 billion annually with diverse suppliers. Most diverse businesses enter at …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Washington DC: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Washington DC sits inside the densest federal contracting market in the country. Winning here means mastering both federal certifications and DC's local …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Baltimore: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Baltimore runs one of the most layered supplier diversity markets on the East Coast, with city M/WBE, Maryland state MBE, DoSEM DBE, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Berkshire Hathaway Energy diverse supplier

Berkshire Hathaway Energy operates formal supplier diversity programs across its Iowa, Nevada, and California utilities, with state commission reporting requirements that create …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Connecticut SBE/MBE Certification: Complete Application Guide 2026

Connecticut's SBE and MBE certifications are issued by the Department of Administrative Services and open the door to state contracting set-asides. Connecticut …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Raleigh-Durham: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Research Triangle Park hosts IBM, Cisco, SAS, Biogen, and GSK, all with active supplier diversity programs. North Carolina's state HUB certification was …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Charlotte: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the US, with Bank of America, Truist, and Wells Fargo all running active supplier diversity …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Tampa: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Tampa's supplier diversity market is anchored by MacDill Air Force Base, Raymond James, and Publix — plus state certification through the Florida …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Global supplier diversity certifications: the complete list by country

Supplier diversity certification exists in over 30 countries, but the standards, administering bodies, and legal weight vary enormously. This reference covers every …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Which Diversity Certification Should You Get First? A Decision Guide for 2026

The right diversity certification depends on who you're selling to, not which credential sounds most impressive. Answer four questions about your target …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Is Supplier Diversity Worth It? The 2026 ROI Numbers, Honestly

Supplier diversity returns measurable money on both sides of the table: The Hackett Group documents 133% greater procurement ROI, the Billion Dollar …

Jul 26, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

US supplier diversity certifications explained for international businesses

The US supplier diversity system splits into three tracks: federal (SBA-administered), corporate (NMSDC, WBENC, and others), and state. Most federal programmes require …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Which diversity certification is most valuable? A data-driven comparison

Federal set-aside programs awarded over $96 billion to diverse businesses in FY2023. But that money is not evenly distributed, and the certification …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Parsons Corporation diverse supplier

Parsons Corporation is a $6B+ defense and infrastructure prime with a formal small business subcontracting program. Here is how to get registered, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a DXC Technology diverse supplier

DXC Technology is an IT services prime contractor with $14B+ in annual revenue and active subcontracting relationships with SDVOSB, 8(a), MBE, and …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What is supplier diversity?

Supplier diversity is the practice of intentionally sourcing goods and services from businesses owned by people from historically underrepresented groups. It operates …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What counts as a diverse supplier?

Eight ownership categories define diverse supplier status across federal and corporate programs. Owning 51% is the baseline requirement in almost every program, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Seattle: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Seattle's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters — Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, Alaska Airlines — makes it one of the densest …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in San Diego: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

San Diego's defense economy and biotech corridor create real contract opportunities for diverse suppliers — if you know which certifications open which …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in professional services: consulting, legal, accounting, and HR

Corporate buyers spend more on diverse professional services firms than any other category. Management consulting alone under SBA 8(a) can yield federal …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Portland: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Portland has city, state, and federal certification programs for diverse businesses, plus active corporate buyers at Nike, Intel, and Columbia Sportswear. Here …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Philadelphia: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Philadelphia runs one of the more active city M/WBE programs on the East Coast, and the state's Small Diverse Business certification unlocks …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in media and entertainment: opportunities for diverse content creators and suppliers

Major studios and streaming platforms have made public diverse supplier commitments since 2020, but formal program structures vary widely. Here is what …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Indianapolis: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Indianapolis is home to Eli Lilly, Elevance Health, and Simon Property Group — all with active supplier diversity programs. Here's how to …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Government Contracting for Beginners: Complete 2026 Start-Here Guide

The federal government spends more than $750 billion a year on contracts — and federal law requires at least 23% of that …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier Diversity Statistics 2026: Key Numbers, Benchmarks, and Federal Data

Sourced numbers behind supplier diversity in 2026: federal procurement totals, set-aside performance by certification type, certifying body program sizes, and corporate spend …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 10 min

Diversity Certification Comparison 2026: Costs, Timelines, and Requirements Side by Side

Every major diversity certification in one place: federal and corporate, with current fees, processing timelines, ownership requirements, and the markets each one …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity software and platforms: Supplier.io, TealBook, Coupa, and SAP Ariba compared

Six platforms dominate supplier diversity tracking in corporate procurement. Which one fits your organization depends on your ERP stack, whether you need …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Ball Corporation diverse supplier

Ball Corporation runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Procurement organization, prioritizing MBE, WBE, and veteran-owned businesses across aluminum packaging, manufacturing, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in facilities, janitorial, and maintenance services

Facilities management generates billions in diverse supplier spend annually across federal agencies, state governments, and Fortune 500 real estate programs. Low barriers …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Bank Supplier Diversity Programs: Which Banks Buy From Diverse Suppliers (2026)

We pulled the supplier pages of the 10 largest US bank buyers on July 24, 2026. Three still run programs under the …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to find certified diverse suppliers: the databases, events, and platforms that work

Eight databases hold the bulk of certified diverse suppliers in the US. Knowing which one covers your category and geography cuts sourcing …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Tier 2 supplier diversity reporting: what it is and how it affects international suppliers

When a US buyer asks its prime suppliers to report diverse sub-supplier spend, that request reaches international businesses too. You may be …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How European Businesses (Germany and Beyond) Access US Corporate Supply Chains

The US and EU trade $1.3 trillion in goods and services annually, yet most European B2B suppliers don't know which US corporate …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Textron diverse supplier

Textron is a $14B+ DoD prime contractor spanning Bell, Cessna, E-Z-GO, and Lycoming — and federal law requires it to maintain an …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Southern Company diverse supplier

Southern Company spent $2.5 billion with diverse suppliers in 2023 (29.1% of total spend) and has been running a formal program since …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a HCA Healthcare diverse supplier

HCA Healthcare operates 185+ hospitals and actively sources from certified diverse suppliers. Registration runs through their supplier portal, and certification through NMSDC, …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What is Tier 2 supplier diversity?

Tier 2 supplier diversity is the tracking and reporting of how much a company's own suppliers spend with diverse businesses. For certified …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What is the difference between MBE and SBE certification?

MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) and SBE (Small Business Enterprise) certifications operate in different markets, have different eligibility criteria, and are issued by …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Raytheon Missiles and Defense diverse supplier

Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD) is the legacy name of the missiles and air defense business now inside Raytheon, one of RTX's …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a General Dynamics diverse supplier

General Dynamics is a $42 billion defense contractor with formal small and diverse business programs. This guide covers what diverse suppliers need …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Tier-2 supplier diversity reporting: what corporations ask and how primes comply

Toyota, Ford, and P&G don't just want you to certify your own diversity status. They want to know who your suppliers are. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How corporations write supplier diversity annual reports: structure and disclosures

Fortune 500 supplier diversity reports follow a predictable structure. Here is what goes into them, what institutional investors and advocacy groups scrutinize, …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Subcontractor outreach plans for federal bids: what COs actually want to see

Most subcontracting plans fail not because the prime didn't try, but because they can't prove it. Here's what contracting officers actually scrutinize.

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Good-faith efforts in small business subcontracting: what protects primes from LD exposure

Missing a small business subcontracting goal can trigger liquidated damages. What actually constitutes good-faith effort under FAR 52.219-9, and how do you …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Small business subcontracting goals: what agencies expect and what other primes report

Federal agencies set wildly different small business subcontracting goals, and what satisfies a DoD contracting officer will get you flagged at DHS. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

ISR and SSR reporting for federal subcontracting plans: a step-by-step guide

If your contract carries a subcontracting plan, you file an Individual Subcontract Report twice a year and a Summary Subcontract Report once. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Individual subcontracting plan requirements: what to include and how to set goals

An individual subcontracting plan is contract-specific and legally binding. Get the 10 required elements wrong or miss a reporting deadline and you …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

HUBZone price preference in full-and-open competitions: how the 10% works

When a HUBZone firm competes in a full-and-open competition, the contracting officer adds 10% to every non-HUBZone bid before making the award …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How prime contractors find qualified HUBZone subcontractors for their projects

HUBZone is the hardest set-aside category to fill on a subcontracting plan. Here's where qualified firms actually are and how to verify …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

FAR Part 19: what prime contractors must do for small business subcontracting

A contract over $900K with a federal agency triggers mandatory small business subcontracting obligations under FAR Subpart 19.7. Most prime contractors know …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Economic impact framing for supplier diversity: replacing DEI language in 2026

The DEI rollback didn't eliminate the business case for small and diverse suppliers. It changed the vocabulary. Here's how procurement teams are …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity spend tracking tools: options for procurement teams managing Tier-1 data

Federal subcontracting plans require certified spend data at ISR/SSR time. Here is how procurement teams at primes and agencies are actually capturing, …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Measuring the ROI of corporate supplier diversity programs: what the data says

Procurement leaders are under pressure to justify diverse supplier programs in dollar terms. The data exists — but you have to know …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Launching a corporate supplier diversity program: a checklist for procurement teams

If you've been handed the task of standing up a supplier diversity program, this checklist covers what actually matters in year one …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier development programs for diverse businesses: how corporations structure them

Spend tracking is table stakes. The corporations actually moving the needle on diverse supplier growth run structured development programs with mentoring cohorts, …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Commercial subcontracting plans: when prime contractors use them and how they differ

Some large prime contractors negotiate a single commercial subcontracting plan that covers their entire government business rather than writing a new plan …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Tier 2 supplier diversity: how to set up and track it

Tier 2 supplier diversity tracks how much your prime suppliers spend with diverse sub-suppliers. GM, Ford, and Stellantis each report $15B+ in …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 10 min

Supplier diversity in real estate and construction development

Public redevelopment projects routinely require 20–30% M/WBE participation, and commercial real estate primes like CBRE and JLL push billions in annual subcontract …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Pittsburgh: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Pittsburgh's healthcare, robotics, and finance sectors spend billions annually with diverse suppliers. Here's who's buying, what certifications open doors, and where to …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in New Orleans: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

New Orleans is majority African-American, has a $1.5 billion airport expansion underway, and sits at one of the busiest ports in the …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Nashville: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Nashville is home to HCA Healthcare, Asurion, and Bridgestone Americas — all with active supplier diversity programs. Here is how to get …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Minneapolis: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Minneapolis-Saint Paul hosts more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than almost any U.S. metro. This guide covers every certification, program, and event …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Memphis: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Memphis is the top cargo hub in the US, and companies like FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper all run active supplier diversity …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in marketing and communications: agencies, PR, and media buying

Marketing and communications is one of the most accessible entry points for diverse suppliers at Fortune 500 companies — CMOs have made …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Los Angeles: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Los Angeles has some of the most active diverse supplier programs in the country, from LAX's ACDBE program to LA Metro's DBE …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Kansas City: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Kansas City has active supplier diversity programs at Oracle Health, Hallmark, and H&R Block, plus DBE requirements on KCI Airport and KC …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Houston: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Houston has active supplier diversity programs across its city government, airport system, METRO transit, and the major oil and gas companies headquartered …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in healthcare: certification opportunities for diverse businesses

Hospital systems and federal health agencies collectively spend billions annually through supplier diversity programs. NMSDC MBE and WBENC WBE are the credentials …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in food and beverage: how diverse producers get into retail and corporate supply chains

Retail giants like Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods all run structured programs to source from diverse food brands. Knowing which certification to …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in fintech and payments: selling to networks, processors, and platforms

The card networks and payment processors run their own supplier programs, separate from the banks, and most renamed them in the 2025 …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in energy and utilities: opportunities for diverse contractors

California's CPUC requires utilities to report diverse spend under General Order 156, and leaders like PG&E have topped 40% on their own; …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Denver: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Denver International Airport runs one of the most active ACDBE programs in the country, with billions in construction and concessions contracts available …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Atlanta: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Atlanta hosts the headquarters of Delta, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, and over a dozen Fortune 500 companies with active supplier diversity programs …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Ross Stores diverse supplier

Ross Stores runs a formal supplier diversity program focused on certified MBE, WBE, and veteran-owned businesses in apparel, home goods, and store …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Centene Corporation diverse supplier

Centene Corporation runs one of the largest supplier diversity programs in managed care, with $145B+ in annual revenue and active NMSDC/WBENC partnerships. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Aflac diverse supplier

Aflac runs a formal supplier diversity program tied to NMSDC and WBENC membership, with documented spend in marketing, IT, and professional services. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to write a federal subcontracting plan: what contracting officers actually want

Federal contracts above $900K require a subcontracting plan with specific percentage goals for small and diverse businesses. Primes that submit vague plans …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity after the DEI rollback: what changed and what didn't

The Trump administration's 2025 executive orders eliminated federal DEI programs and accelerated corporate retreats from branded diversity spending. Federal small-business set-aside contracting …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Diversity Certification for Staffing Agencies: Which Certifications Matter and Why

Diverse-owned staffing agencies can access billions in annual spend through MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and DBE certifications. This guide covers which certifications apply, …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supply chain diversity vs supplier diversity: what is the difference

Supplier diversity tracks direct (Tier 1) spend with diverse-owned firms. Supply chain diversity is the broader system, including the Tier 2 subcontracting …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity and Scope 3 / ESG reporting: how they connect

Tier 2 diversity spend and spend-based Scope 3 emissions are calculated from the same purchase data, by the same procurement teams, using …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to get into corporate supply chains as a small business

A buyer-and-supplier guide to corporate supply chains built on compliance and economic impact, not sentiment. Covers FAR subcontracting plans, Tier 1 vs. …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Kellogg diverse supplier

The Kellogg Company you remember no longer exists. Kellanova (Pringles, Cheez-It) now belongs to Mars and still runs a supplier diversity program …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a SAIC diverse supplier

SAIC is a $7 billion federal IT and engineering firm with active small business subcontracting programs. Here is how to register, which …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What is the Billion Dollar Roundtable?

The Billion Dollar Roundtable is a coalition of corporations that each spend more than $1 billion per year with diverse suppliers at …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Yum! Brands diverse supplier

Yum! Brands operates a formal supplier diversity program across KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut and requires franchisees to source from diverse …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Marriott International diverse supplier

Marriott International runs one of the hospitality industry's largest supplier diversity programs, sourcing from MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certified businesses across …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Macy's diverse supplier

Macy's runs a formal supplier diversity program through its vendor registration portal and attends NMSDC and WBENC conferences annually. Here's how to …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Albertsons Companies diverse supplier

Albertsons Companies runs one of the largest grocery supplier diversity programs in the U.S., sourcing from MBE, WBE, LGBTBE, SDVOSB, and disability-owned …

Jul 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Elevance Health diverse supplier

Elevance Health, formerly Anthem, is a $156 billion health insurer with a formal supplier diversity program and Billion Dollar Roundtable membership. This …

Jul 17, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to Become an AIM Supplier: Carelon Medical Benefits Management (Formerly AIM Specialty Health)

AIM Specialty Health, renamed Carelon Medical Benefits Management in March 2023, sources through Elevance Health's supplier diversity program, which manages registration and …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Certified Minority Labor Provider: What It Means and How to Get Certified

A certified minority labor provider is a minority-owned temporary staffing or labor contractor that holds one or more certifications (MBE, DBE, SBA …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Fidelity Investments diverse supplier

Fidelity Investments runs a formal Supplier Diversity program targeting MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and LGBTBE vendors through SAP Ariba. Registration is the mandatory …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Phoenix: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Phoenix sits at the intersection of fast-growing public contracts and a tech manufacturing boom. City M/WBE certification, Western MSDC, and WBEC West …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Miami: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Miami-Dade County runs one of the most active local M/WBE programs in the Southeast, and Florida's state OSD certification opens doors with …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Louisville: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Louisville has no state-level M/WBE certification in Kentucky, but the city's M/WBE program, Southeast MSDC, and active corporate buyers like UPS and …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in logistics and transportation: trucking, freight, and warehousing

Logistics is one of the most accessible industries for diverse small businesses, with DBE certification opening federally-funded transportation contracts and major carriers …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Hartford: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Hartford hosts the US insurance industry's heaviest concentration of corporate buyers, and Connecticut's state MBE/WBE certification is your fastest entry point into …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Columbus Ohio: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing procurement markets for diverse suppliers in the Midwest, anchored by Fortune 500 headquartersand the incoming Intel …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Chicago: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Chicago runs its own M/WBE certification through the Department of Procurement Services, separate from Illinois's state BEP certification. You likely need both …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Boston: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Boston combines a city M/WBE program, a state Supplier Diversity Program requiring 10% M/WBE spend, and a cluster of biotech and financial …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Austin: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Austin has no state M/WBE certification—but the City of Austin's SMBR program, Southwest MSDC, and federal DBE requirements at Capital Metro and …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Certified Minority Subcontractor in DC: CBE, MBE, and DBE Guide for 2026

The District of Columbia runs its own certification programs separate from federal set-asides, and DC law requires prime contractors on many publicly-funded …

Jul 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

LGBTQ-owned business certification (LGBTBE) and how to use it

The LGBTBE certification from NGLCC is the recognized credential for LGBTQ-owned businesses chasing corporate and government supplier spend. Here are the real …

Jul 6, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

WBE certification in Wyoming: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Wyoming WBE certification runs through WBEC-West, the WBENC regional partner covering the state. Fees range from $350 to $1,250 per year based …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

WBE certification in North Carolina: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

North Carolina's state HUB program, once a second path to WBE recognition here, was eliminated by the 2026 state budget. WBENC certification …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

WBE certification in Idaho: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Idaho WBE certification runs through WBEC-Pacific, the WBENC regional partner for the Pacific Northwest. The application fee ranges from $350 to $1,250 …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Wisconsin: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Wisconsin MBE certification runs through two paths: the Wisconsin Supplier Development Council (NMSDC affiliate) for corporate contracts, and the state's own Supplier …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Texas: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Texas runs its own state MBE program through the Centralized Master Bidders List, and the NMSDC's Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council covers …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in South Carolina: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

South Carolina MBE certification runs through two parallel tracks: the state's Small and Minority Business office and the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in New Jersey: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

New Jersey runs its own state MBE program through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, separate from the NMSDC affiliate. Both …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Mississippi: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Mississippi MBE certification is issued by the Minority Business Office of the Governor or an NMSDC affiliate. The process takes 60–90 days …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Minnesota: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Minnesota runs its own Targeted Group Business (TGB) program through DEED, but the nationally recognized MBE credential comes from the Midwest Minority …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Michigan: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Michigan offers two MBE certification paths: the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) for corporate contracts and the state DTMB program for …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Georgia: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Georgia MBE certification runs through two separate tracks: the Georgia Business Council (formerly the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, GMSDC) for corporate …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in Florida: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

Florida MBE certification runs through two separate tracks: NMSDC's affiliate council for corporate contracting, and the Florida Office of Supplier Diversity for …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

MBE certification in California: Requirements, Process, and Benefits

California runs its own MBE program through the Supplier Clearinghouse under the CUCP—separate from NMSDC—and acceptance means access to state utility contracts …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Staffing agency MBE certification: what NMSDC requires

NMSDC's MBE certification is the standard credential for minority-owned staffing agencies seeking corporate contracts. The site visit and financial documentation requirements are …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Security guard services MBE or DBE certification guide

Security services companies can pursue NMSDC MBE certification for corporate contracts and DOT DBE certification for federally funded projects. Each credential opens …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Janitorial and cleaning company MBE certification

Janitorial and cleaning services is one of the highest-volume categories in corporate supplier diversity programs. NMSDC's MBE certification is the key credential. …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

WOSB certification Requirements 2026: Complete Checklist for Woman-Owned Small Businesses

WOSB certification qualifies woman-owned small businesses to compete for federal set-aside contracts managed by the SBA. This guide covers every eligibility rule, …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

DBE certification in Virginia: SBSD Requirements, Timeline, and 2026 Application Guide

Virginia's DBE program is administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), not VDOT directly, and grants certified firms …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

DBE certification in Maryland: MDOT MBE Process, Requirements, and Application 2026

Maryland's MDOT MBE program is one of the largest state-level minority and women business certification programs in the country, with an annual …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

8(a) Certification Requirements and Checklist: Complete 2026 Guide

The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program requires 51% ownership by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual with personal net worth under $850,000. …

Jul 6, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Charles Schwab diverse supplier

Charles Schwab manages over $9 trillion in client assets and is an active NMSDC and WBENC corporate member. Here is how to …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to actually get business from WEConnect International after you get certified

Most WEConnect-certified businesses wait 12 to 18 months before landing their first corporate purchase order. Here is what the ones who get …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Which companies buy from WEConnect-certified businesses? The corporate member list

WEConnect International corporate membership costs $50K–$250K per year, so the companies on this list are not passive signatories. Here are the major …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity at Singapore's big four banks: DBS, OCBC, UOB, and Standard Chartered

Singapore's four major banks spend over SGD 8 billion annually on procurement. Standard Chartered is the only one with a formal supplier …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Malaysia's Bumiputera contractor programme: what it is and how it compares to US supplier diversity

Malaysia runs one of the world's most formalized ethnic-preference procurement systems, with mandatory Bumiputera participation quotas written directly into government contract awards …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Asia-Pacific: the state of play in 2025

APAC is roughly a decade behind the US and UK in formalised supplier diversity, but ESG reporting mandates and US multinational procurement …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Singapore women-owned business certification and support programmes

WEConnect International's Singapore chapter provides the only globally recognised women-owned business certification that opens doors to Fortune 500 supplier diversity programmes. Several …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Singapore social enterprise certification and what it means for procurement

Singapore's raiSE-issued Social Enterprise Mark covers roughly 500 certified enterprises and unlocks preferential access in select government tenders. US buyers are starting …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

ISO 20400 sustainable procurement: how supplier diversity fits the global standard

ISO 20400:2017 is the international sustainable procurement standard adopted by Singapore statutory boards and major MNCs—and it explicitly requires organisations to consider …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How US multinationals run supplier diversity programmes in Asia-Pacific

There is no APAC equivalent to the SBA's 8(a) program or WBENC certification. US multinationals operating in Asia-Pacific are building supplier diversity …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How UK Businesses Sell to US Companies: Supplier Diversity and Corporate Procurement

The US-UK trade relationship exceeds $300 billion annually, yet most UK businesses don't know US corporations run formal supplier diversity programs that …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a SAP Singapore diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

SAP Singapore anchors APAC procurement for one of the world's largest software companies. Getting on their Ariba vendor list is the entry …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Procter & Gamble diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

P&G's APAC headquarters is in Singapore, and the company sources packaging, marketing services, logistics, and professional services from the region. WEConnect International …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Microsoft Singapore diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

Microsoft Singapore is the APAC hub for multiple Microsoft business units, employing 2,000+ staff and sourcing from local IT, consulting, facilities, and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a DBS Bank Singapore diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

DBS Bank Singapore sources from local and diverse vendors across technology, facilities, and professional services. Registration goes through their Vendor Management Portal, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Citibank Singapore diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

Citi has operated in Singapore since 1902 and employs 8,000+ people locally. Registration goes through their Ariba-based iSource platform, and WEConnect International …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Amazon Web Services APAC diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

AWS operates two data centre regions in Singapore and spends billions annually on construction, facilities, IT hardware, and security. Here is how …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Accenture Singapore diverse supplier in Singapore and APAC

Accenture Singapore operates as a major APAC delivery hub with 3,000+ employees, and their global supplier diversity program actively targets WEConnect-certified women-owned …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How International Businesses Access US Corporate Supply Chains

Most US supplier diversity certifications require a US business entity or US citizenship. The exception is WEConnect International, which certifies women-owned businesses …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Non-US Businesses Qualify for US Supplier Diversity Programs

WEConnect International is the only major supplier diversity certification available to women-owned businesses without a US entity. Every other mainstream certification requires …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya Businesses Access US Corporate Supply Chains

AGOA gives duty-free US market access to 6,500+ product categories from 35 African countries, but getting into a US corporate supply chain …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Mexican Businesses Sell to US Companies

Mexico surpassed China as the US's top trading partner in 2023, with bilateral goods trade exceeding $800B annually. The entry points for …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Indian Businesses Sell to US Companies: Certifications, Portals, and Approved Vendor Lists

US companies import roughly $50 billion in IT and professional services from India annually, but getting on an approved vendor list requires …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Canadian Businesses Access US Corporate Supply Chains

Canada exports over $450 billion annually to the US, and Canadian diverse suppliers can access US corporate procurement through WEConnect International, USMCA …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

ESG reporting and supplier diversity in APAC: what procurement teams need to know

Singapore Exchange-listed companies must comply with IFRS S1 and S2 climate disclosures from 2025, and supply chain diversity is now inside the …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

EcoVadis supplier diversity rating: what it is and why global suppliers need it

EcoVadis is the ESG rating system that 1,000+ multinationals use to vet their supply chains. A Gold or Platinum score opens procurement …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Corporate supplier diversity questionnaires: how to respond when you're an international business

US and UK multinationals send supplier diversity questionnaires to all suppliers globally. Disclosing women or minority ownership honestly — even without a …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Women-owned business certifications in Asia-Pacific: WEConnect, Supply Nation, and domestic options compared

WEConnect International is the only credential recognised by Fortune 500 supplier diversity programs across most of APAC; domestic equivalents exist only in …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Texas Instruments diverse supplier

Texas Instruments runs a formal supplier diversity program tied to its manufacturing supply chain in Texas and beyond. Here is what you …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Sysco diverse supplier

Sysco is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member with $500M+ in annual diverse supplier spend. Getting in requires the right certification, the right …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a State Farm diverse supplier

State Farm is the largest US property and casualty insurer by premium volume and runs a formal supplier diversity program tied to …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Progressive Insurance diverse supplier

Progressive Insurance accepts MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, and DOBE certifications through its iSupplier portal; registration starts at progressive.com/partners/suppliers.

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a MetLife diverse supplier

MetLife is an NMSDC corporate member with an active supplier diversity program spanning insurance, financial services, IT, and professional services. Here is …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a McKinsey & Company diverse supplier

McKinsey operates a formal supplier diversity program and sources from MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, and disability-owned firms across professional services, technology, facilities, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a EY (Ernst & Young) diverse supplier

EY runs a formal supplier diversity program called EY Access, accepts MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, and DOBE certifications, and sources heavily in …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Dollar General diverse supplier

Dollar General operates 19,000+ stores and runs a formal supplier diversity program focused on MBE, WBE, and veteran-owned consumer packaged goods suppliers. …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Aramark diverse supplier

Aramark runs one of the more active supplier diversity programs in food services, with Billion Dollar Roundtable membership and dedicated teams sourcing …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Abbott Laboratories diverse supplier

Abbott is a WBENC and NMSDC corporate member with a formal supplier diversity program that purchases across medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Raytheon Technologies diverse supplier

RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) operates one of the largest supplier diversity programs in defense. Here is what diverse suppliers need to know …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an L3Harris Technologies diverse supplier

L3Harris Technologies is a $21 billion defense electronics company with active supplier diversity goals. Here is what diverse suppliers need to know …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an ExxonMobil diverse supplier

ExxonMobil is a $400 billion energy company with formal supplier diversity commitments and NMSDC membership. This guide covers registration, accepted certifications, sourcing …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a BAE Systems diverse supplier

BAE Systems' U.S. operations are a $14 billion defense contractor with active small business subcontracting programs. This guide covers portal registration, which …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Accenture diverse supplier

Accenture is a $64 billion consulting and technology services firm with a formal diverse supplier program and public spending goals. This guide …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How corporate supplier diversity programs actually work

Corporate supplier diversity programs operate as internal advocacy and tracking functions within large procurement organizations. Understanding who actually makes buying decisions — …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Subcontracting disputes on federal projects: when primes and subs disagree

Federal subcontracts sit in a legal gray zone where commercial dispute norms often don't apply. Knowing the specific tools available — and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

State-level set-aside programs for diverse contractors: how they differ from federal

Federal set-aside rules get most of the attention, but state programs carry real teeth on transportation, construction, and publicly funded contracts. The …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

When prime contractors can use a joint venture to meet small business requirements

A joint venture with a qualifying small business can win a small business set-aside, but the rules are stricter than most BD …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Mentor-protégé programs for large prime contractors: what you get and what you commit to

Mentor-protégé programs give large prime contractors a direct path to joint venture eligibility with small businesses and credit toward subcontracting goals. The …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to find WOSB subcontractors for federal projects and corporate supply chains

WOSB certification has two tracks — self-certified and third-party — and the distinction matters when you're documenting subcontracting goals. Here's where to …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Finding SDVOSB subcontractors: directories, verification, and common mistakes

Since January 2023, SDVOSB self-certification is gone. Here is exactly where to find verified veteran-owned subcontractors and how to confirm their status …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Mentor-protégé versus teaming agreements: when to use each for federal bids

Both arrangements let a prime partner with a small business on federal work, but they operate under different rules, carry different risks, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Minneapolis St Paul: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

Minneapolis St Paul is home to six Fortune 500 headquarters with active supplier diversity programs and a state TGB certification that requires …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity sourcing events: what they are and how to run one

Supplier diversity matchmaking events use pre-scheduled 15-minute meetings between corporate buyers and screened diverse suppliers. The NMSDC Annual Conference alone draws 12,000+ …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in San Francisco Bay Area: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

The San Francisco Bay Area has the highest concentration of tech companies with active supplier diversity programs in the US, plus California's …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity for nonprofits and social enterprises: what certifications apply

SBA 8(a) and NMSDC MBE are closed to nonprofits, but HUBZone, DBE, and several city and state programs are open. Knowing which …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity in Dallas Fort Worth: certifications, programs, and how to get contracts

DFW is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters than almost any metro in the country. Here is how diverse suppliers get into …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to write a supplier diversity annual report: structure, data, and what to disclose

Fortune 500 supplier diversity reports live or die on verified spend data and methodology disclosure. Here's what separates credible reports from aspirational …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to build a supplier diversity program from scratch

Building a supplier diversity program takes roughly 12 months to get right. Here are the six components that separate mature programs from …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a W.W. Grainger diverse supplier

Grainger runs one of the more structured diverse supplier programs in industrial distribution, with NMSDC and WBENC membership and a dedicated registration …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Walgreens Boots Alliance diverse supplier

Walgreens Boots Alliance runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Global Procurement team, accepting MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certifications via …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Valero Energy diverse supplier

Valero Energy runs one of the most active supplier diversity programs in the oil and gas sector, with procurement concentrated in construction, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a USAA diverse supplier

USAA's Military Family Supplier Diversity program recognizes MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, VOSB, and disability-owned certifications; registration starts with a form submitted to supplier.relations@usaa.com.

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Stryker diverse supplier

Stryker runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Supplier Diversity & Sustainability office and sources from MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Principal Financial Group diverse supplier

Principal Financial Group runs an active supplier diversity program through its corporate procurement team in Des Moines; registration starts at principal.com and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Parker Hannifin diverse supplier

Parker Hannifin runs a formal supplier diversity program with NMSDC and WBENC membership. Here is exactly how to register, which certifications count, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a New York Life diverse supplier

New York Life runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Corporate Procurement team, recognizing MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certifications. Registration …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Nationwide Insurance diverse supplier

Nationwide Insurance runs a formal supplier diversity program under its Procurement organization, sourcing from MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certified diverse businesses …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Molson Coors diverse supplier

Molson Coors runs a formal supplier diversity program under its Beyond Beer and Brew initiatives, with sourcing focused on ingredients, packaging, marketing …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's) diverse supplier

Kellanova runs a formal supplier diversity program under its parent Mars, Inc. umbrella and sources from MBE, WBE, veteran, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Illinois Tool Works diverse supplier

Illinois Tool Works runs a formal supplier diversity program across 85+ decentralized divisions. Getting in requires targeting the right division, holding a …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Hilton Hotels diverse supplier

Hilton operates a formal supplier diversity program across 7,400+ hotels globally, sourcing from MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certified businesses in food, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Estee Lauder diverse supplier

Estée Lauder Companies runs one of the most structured diverse supplier programs in consumer goods, with formal NMSDC and WBENC ties and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Eaton Corporation diverse supplier

Eaton Corporation runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Supplier Diversity & Inclusion initiative, accepting MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and several other …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Cummins diverse supplier

Cummins runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Supplier Diversity & Inclusion initiative, recognizes MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certifications, and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a CarMax diverse supplier

CarMax runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Supplier Diversity team in Richmond, VA, with stated commitments to MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Cardinal Health diverse supplier

Cardinal Health runs a formal supplier diversity program under its Supplier Diversity & Inclusion initiative, targeting MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certified …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Baxter International diverse supplier

Baxter International runs a formal supplier diversity program through its Global Procurement team, accepting MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, and other certifications via a …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a AmerisourceBergen (Cencora) diverse supplier

Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) is a Fortune 10 pharmaceutical distributor with $262B in FY2024 revenue and a formal supplier diversity program that actively …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Corporate supplier diversity goals: what the best programs commit to

The top corporate supplier diversity programs commit to 10–20%+ of addressable spend with diverse suppliers. Here is how the best programs set …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to qualify for the Billion Dollar Roundtable: requirements and what membership means

The Billion Dollar Roundtable is the only US designation for corporations that verify $1 billion or more in annual diverse supplier spend. …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Supply chain sustainability and supplier diversity: the overlap

Sustainability teams and supplier diversity teams chase the same data through different doors. The overlap is Tier 2 visibility, Scope 3 supplier …

Jun 11, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

The ROI of supplier diversity in the supply chain

A buyer-side look at what diverse suppliers actually return: federal subcontracting compliance under FAR 19.7, Tier 2 spend reporting, Scope 3 data …

Jun 11, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

Second-tier spend reporting in the supply chain: a how-to for primes

How prime contractors and corporate buyers actually capture second-tier spend: the direct vs. indirect allocation math, what FAR 52.219-9 requires in eSRS, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a Boston Scientific supplier (and what its supplier program actually wants)

Boston Scientific takes open supplier profiles through SupplierOne, a Supplier.io-powered portal, not a cold email. Here is how registration actually works, which …

Jun 11, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

Supplier Diversity vs DEI in 2026: Why One Survived the Rollback and One Didn't

Supplier diversity and DEI get lumped together, but they live in different parts of the law. DEI is voluntary HR policy that …

Jun 8, 2026 · Will Moss

MBE vs WBE vs DBE: The 2026 Difference (Who Issues, Cost, Where Each Wins)

MBE is for minority-owned firms (issued by NMSDC), WBE is for women-owned firms (issued by WBENC), and DBE is a federal transportation …

Jun 8, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How Much Does MBE Certification Cost in 2026? Fees by Revenue Tier ($270–$1,700)

NMSDC MBE certification runs $270–$1,700 as a one-time application fee, set by your company's annual revenue tier. We pulled real fee schedules …

Jun 8, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

30+ Fortune 500 Supplier Diversity Programs (2026)

We pulled diverse-spend goals, accepted certifications, and supplier-portal status for the Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 programs in our directory. Walmart targets …

Jun 7, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to do business with the Wisconsin government

Two free moves get a diverse business into the running for Wisconsin state contracts: register as a vendor, then get certified for …

May 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the West Virginia government

West Virginia runs procurement through one system, wvOASIS. Here's how to register as a vendor, get SWAM-certified as a small, women-, or …

May 25, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Walmart diverse supplier

Walmart sources $250 billion in goods and services annually and has formal diverse supplier goals. This guide explains their registration paths, which …

May 22, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Visa diverse supplier

Visa is a $32 billion payments technology company with a formal supplier diversity program and NMSDC and WBENC memberships. This guide covers …

May 20, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Virginia government

Selling to Virginia comes down to two steps most owners get backward: register on eVA, then get SWaM-certified. Here's the order, the …

May 18, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Tyson Foods diverse supplier

Tyson Foods sources from thousands of suppliers across its protein supply chain and runs an active NMSDC-affiliated supplier diversity program with specific …

May 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Target diverse supplier

Target is a $110 billion retailer with a formal supplier diversity program and published spend goals. Here is what diverse suppliers need …

May 7, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Pennsylvania government

Pennsylvania runs vendor registration, a Small Diverse Business program, and its bid board through one agency. Here's the order to do it …

Apr 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Northrop Grumman diverse supplier

Northrop Grumman spends more than $2 billion annually with small and diverse businesses. This guide covers registration, certifications, sourcing categories, and what …

Apr 22, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Oregon government

Two free steps put a diverse or small business in front of Oregon buyers: register on OregonBuys, then get COBID-certified. Here's the …

Apr 21, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Nike supplier (and get into Nike's supplier diversity program)

Nike buys from small and diverse-owned businesses across marketing, tech, construction, and services. Registering in its Business Diversity & Inclusion portal is …

Apr 21, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Morgan Stanley diverse supplier

Morgan Stanley operates a formal supplier diversity program with NMSDC and WBENC corporate membership. This guide explains which certifications are recognized, which …

Apr 17, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Ohio government

Selling to the State of Ohio runs through one portal and a set of certifications most owners never finish. Here's the order …

Apr 15, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 10 min

WBENC Certification: The Complete 2026 Guide for Women-Owned Businesses

WBENC certification is the gold standard for women-owned businesses seeking Fortune 500 contracts. Here's everything you need to know: requirements, fees, documents, …

Apr 14, 2026 · Priya Patel

How to do business with the North Carolina government

North Carolina's 2026 state budget eliminated the HUB Office and the state's 10% minority-participation goal. Here's what's actually still true about selling …

Apr 9, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Tier 1 vs Tier 2 supplier diversity spend, explained

Tier 1 is what a corporation buys from you directly. Tier 2 is what its prime suppliers buy from you. Here's how …

Apr 8, 2026 · Maya Okonkwo

How to become a Mastercard diverse supplier

Mastercard runs a formal Supplier Diversity program with a 5% diverse supplier spend goal and a WEConnect International partnership for women-owned businesses …

Apr 8, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a KPMG diverse supplier

KPMG runs a formal supplier diversity program as an NMSDC and WBENC member, sourcing diverse suppliers across technology, legal, facilities, and professional …

Mar 31, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Kimberly-Clark supplier (and what its supplier engagement program actually wants)

Kimberly-Clark won't add you because you filled out a form. Here's how its Supplier Engagement program works, which certifications it recognizes, and …

Mar 30, 2026 · Will Moss

How to become a Kaiser Permanente diverse supplier

Kaiser Permanente spent over $2.3 billion with diverse suppliers in 2022 and is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member. Here is how to …

Mar 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a John Deere diverse supplier

Deere & Company is a $52 billion equipment manufacturer with a formal supplier diversity program and Billion Dollar Roundtable membership. This guide …

Mar 24, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Humana diverse supplier

Humana is a $106 billion health insurance and services company with an active supplier diversity program and NMSDC and WBENC membership. This …

Mar 20, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Honeywell diverse supplier

Honeywell is a $36 billion industrial technology company with a formal supplier diversity program and federal subcontracting requirements. This guide covers how …

Mar 19, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Home Depot supplier (and how the supplier diversity program actually works)

Selling to The Home Depot starts with one of two front doors: the New Product Submission portal or the Supplier Pipeline diversity …

Mar 17, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Goldman Sachs diverse supplier

Goldman Sachs has formal supplier diversity programs and has committed over $10 billion to diverse and small businesses through its 10,000 Small …

Mar 12, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Massachusetts government

Massachusetts runs its bids through one free portal and its diversity certification through one office. Here's the order to do them in, …

Mar 5, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Deloitte diverse supplier

Deloitte is a $67 billion professional services firm with a formal diverse supplier program and NMSDC and WBENC corporate memberships. This guide …

Feb 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Much Does Supplier Diversity Certification Cost? A Complete Breakdown

The #1 question we hear: how much does certification cost? Here's what every major program charges — from free federal certifications to …

Feb 23, 2026 · Priya Patel

How to become a Cigna diverse supplier

Cigna has committed to more than $1 billion in annual diverse supplier spend and actively recruits certified MBE, WBE, SDVOSB, LGBTBE, and …

Feb 13, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Chevron diverse supplier

Chevron is a $200 billion energy company with a formal supplier diversity program and NMSDC corporate membership. This guide covers how to …

Feb 12, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Caterpillar diverse supplier

Caterpillar is a $67 billion industrial manufacturer with a formal supplier diversity program and active NMSDC and WBENC memberships. This guide covers …

Feb 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Illinois government

Selling to Illinois means three systems and one certification choice. Register in the IPG and BidBuy, then decide whether BEP, veteran, or …

Feb 10, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Capital One diverse supplier

Capital One is a Billion Dollar Roundtable member with explicit diverse-spend targets. Here is how registration works through iVendix and what actually …

Feb 10, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a Bank of America supplier: vendor registration and the supplier diversity path

Bank of America spends over $2 billion a year with diverse suppliers and runs one of the oldest programs in banking. Here's …

Feb 5, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become a 3M diverse supplier

3M is a $32 billion industrial manufacturer and consumer goods company with formal supplier diversity commitments. This guide covers their registration portal, …

Feb 4, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Georgia government

Selling to the State of Georgia starts in Team Georgia Marketplace, not a sales call. Here's how to register, where the bids …

Feb 2, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Fortune 500 Supplier Diversity Spending: Where the $50 Billion+ Opportunity Lies

Article · 9 min

Fortune 500 Supplier Diversity Spending: Where the $50 Billion+ Opportunity Lies

Where the corporate diverse-supplier dollars actually go: Billion Dollar Roundtable membership, top public commitments by company, the industries that lead, and how …

Jan 30, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to sell to Amazon as a certified diverse supplier: the two paths, kept separate

Selling to Amazon as a diverse supplier means two different things. One is becoming a vendor to Amazon the corporation. The other …

Jan 28, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Delaware government

Selling to Delaware comes down to three free moves: register on MyMarketplace, get your OSD diverse-business or small-business certification, and watch the …

Jan 27, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Connecticut government

Selling to Connecticut runs through two systems: CTsource to register and bid, and DAS supplier-diversity certification to reach the 25% set-aside. Here's …

Jan 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Colorado government

Selling to Colorado starts with one free registration in ColoradoVSS, plus a free listing in the state's supplier diversity directory. Here's the …

Jan 21, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to find corporate buyers for your minority- or women-owned business

Corporate buyers find diverse suppliers in a handful of specific places. Get listed where they search, fix your profile, and reach the …

Jan 16, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Corporate Supplier Diversity in 2026: What Actually Matters for Your Business

Article · 11 min

Corporate Supplier Diversity in 2026: What Actually Matters for Your Business

Despite federal policy shifts, 85% of Fortune 500 companies maintain supplier diversity programs. Here's where the real opportunities are and how to …

Jan 13, 2026 · SupplierDiversity.com Editorial Team

How to become an HP Inc. supplier (and what HP Inclusive Sourcing actually wants)

HP Inc. runs a diverse-supplier registration most owners fill out wrong. Here's the actual form, the certifications it accepts, and how to …

Jan 8, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to do business with the Alabama government

Alabama runs two vendor systems, not one, and a free state minority/women-owned certification through ADECA. Here's the order to do it in, …

Jan 7, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an EY (Ernst & Young) supplier: the realistic path through Inclusive Procurement

EY buys from diverse-owned firms through its Inclusive Procurement team, but there's no public bid board. Here's the registration path, what certifications …

Jan 6, 2026 · Will Moss

How to vet and onboard a small or diverse supplier

Vetting a small supplier isn't about lowering the bar. It's about checking the right things in the right order so a first …

Dec 31, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to verify a supplier's small business and socioeconomic status

A supplier's word that they're an SDVOSB no longer counts toward your goals. Here's how to confirm SB and socioeconomic status against …

Dec 30, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Using SBA SUBNet to post and find subcontracting opportunities

SUBNet is the SBA's posting board for subcontracting opportunities, and it still helps you document outreach for a FAR 52.219-9 plan. But …

Dec 29, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Tier 1 vs Tier 2 diverse spend: what counts and how to report it

Tier 1 is the spend you pay diverse and small suppliers directly. Tier 2 is what flows through your suppliers. Here's what …

Dec 26, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity metrics and KPIs that actually matter

Most supplier diversity dashboards measure the wrong things. Here's the short list of metrics tied to compliance and economic impact, the vanity …

Dec 24, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Supplier diversity after the DEI rollback: what to keep and what to rename

The 2025 rollback hit voluntary corporate programs, not the statutory federal set-aside and subcontracting machinery. Here's what's durable, what to reframe, and …

Dec 23, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Where to find certified MBE, WBE, and diverse suppliers

If you have a subcontracting plan to meet or a Tier-2 number to report, the supplier has to be certified by the …

Dec 22, 2025 · Mario Bailey

The Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO): role, responsibilities, and how to staff it

If your company holds a contract with a subcontracting plan, you are required by FAR 52.219-9 to designate a Small Business Liaison …

Dec 19, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to run a Tier 2 supplier diversity reporting program

Tier 2 reporting fails on data quality, not good intentions. Here's which primes to enroll, what to collect, how direct and indirect …

Dec 18, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to meet your small business subcontracting plan goals

If you carry a subcontracting plan under FAR 52.219-9, the goals are contractual, not aspirational. Here is where the dollars leak, how …

Dec 17, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to measure the economic impact of your supplier program

Spend totals don't tell the story your CFO or your contracting officer wants. Here's how to turn supplier program spend into jobs, …

Dec 16, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Limitations on subcontracting: what buyers need to know

If you hold a set-aside prime, the limitations on subcontracting rule caps how much work you can push to firms that aren't …

Dec 16, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Documenting good faith efforts on a subcontracting plan

Missing a subcontracting goal is not automatically a problem. Failing to document a good faith effort is. Here's the record a contracting …

Dec 15, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to find WOSB and EDWOSB subcontractors

Your subcontracting plan commits you to a 5% women-owned spend goal, and eSRS counts only certified firms. Here's how to source WOSBs …

Dec 12, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to find SDVOSB subcontractors for a federal contract

Self-certification for SDVOSBs is gone. Here's where to source Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned subcontractors that actually count toward your subcontracting goals, and how to …

Dec 11, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to find HUBZone subcontractors (and hit the 3% goal)

HUBZone is the smallest pool and the most volatile certification in your subcontracting plan, which is why the 3% goal trips up …

Dec 10, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to find 8(a) and small disadvantaged business subcontractors

8(a) and SDB credit hinges on sourcing the right firms and proving status. Here's where to find them, what the certification changes …

Dec 9, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to file the Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR) in eSRS

The SSR is the annual roll-up of your subcontracting plan performance, and the SBA scorecard runs on it. Here's who files, when, …

Dec 8, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to file the Individual Subcontracting Report (ISR) in eSRS

The ISR is where your subcontracting plan goals meet your actuals, and where contracting officers decide whether you get acknowledged or sent …

Dec 5, 2025 · Mario Bailey

FAR 52.219-9 explained: the subcontracting plan clause for primes

If your contract crosses the threshold, you owe the government a subcontracting plan with goals you have to report against. Here's what …

Dec 4, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Writing diverse and small supplier requirements into your RFPs

Building small and diverse supplier expectations into a solicitation is a sourcing and compliance problem, not a slogan. Here's how to write …

Dec 3, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Commercial vs individual subcontracting plans: which to use

If you sell commercial products or services across many federal contracts, a commercial subcontracting plan can replace a stack of individual plans …

Dec 2, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to build a supplier inclusion program in 2026

The 2025 DEI rollback hit voluntary corporate programs, not your federal subcontracting obligations. Here's how to build a program around compliance and …

Dec 1, 2025 · Mario Bailey

How to build a diverse supplier pipeline that actually converts

Most diverse supplier pipelines stall as a spreadsheet nobody buys from. Here is a repeatable sourcing process tied to your subcontracting plan …

Dec 1, 2025 · Mario Bailey

Reader tools

Apply what's in the reporting to your own business.

Most of what gets covered here turns into a question of which certification you should pursue first. The eligibility quiz checks your business against every certification we track and returns a ranked list with the buyers each opens.

Run the certification quiz → Browse certification guides