Supplier Diversity Program Initiatives

Broward College’s (BC) Supplier Diversity Initiative’s intent is to assure small, minority and woman-owned businesses optimum accessibility to all of the college’s procurement and contracting opportunities. These are some of the ways we work to create mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers.

BC actively seeks small, minority and woman-owned suppliers through the local certification consortium, business develop organizations and various business trade shows and expos.
BC practices inclusion of small, minority and woman-owned suppliers throughout its procurement and contracting process.
We continually look for creative methods to improve our Supplier Diversity Initiative including (but not limited to) internal matchmaking, business development mentoring, second tier contract monitoring and reduction of large contracts.
To further assist suppliers with our procurement process, suppliers may view or print BC's Vendor Guide.

Business Development Strategies

We want our suppliers to understand BC’s internal process, meet our key decision-makers and sharpen their business management skills. These strategies exist to help small, minority and woman-owned (S/M/WBE) firms be ready to participate in the procurement process.

Broward College provides guidance to Small, Minority and Women Owned businesses on our bidding process and, how to best present their products and services to key decision-makers.

Free Business Development Courses - Staff of certified small, minority or woman owned businesses may enroll in any of our selected business management courses - Free. Through our partnership with BC's Institute for Economic Development we offer on-line and traditional courses especially designed to strengthen and support the operation of a small business.
Mentoring – BC encourages its prime contractors (especially in construction related projects) to mentor S/M/WBE subcontractors. Facilities Management employees participate in Construction Management training programs as instructors. Business owners learn important aspects of construction management as well as how they may form partnerships with BC. The college awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completing the training. S/M/WBE companies receive guidance on the bidding process and how best to present their products or services to key decision-makers.
Networking – Project managers, budget managers, procurement specialists and contractors are encouraged to attend diverse supplier business trade fairs and expositions to identify and establish business relationships. BC conducts individual procurement and business development conferences in order to explain procurement processes and expectations, and to communicate our needs for products and services.
Contracts - The Procurement Services contracting process provides enhancements that will ensure S/M/WBE participation. (1) Reduction of large contracts and, (2) multiple supplier awards.
Training/Education – BC facilitates Supplier Diversity awareness and provides business development skills to its employees through in-house Supplier Diversity training programs.
Florida Regional Minority Business Council (FRMBC) - BC partners with the FRMBC, serving as the Council’s Broward County office. Oswaldo Casco, Certification and Outreach Director is located in the Procurement Services Department. Oswaldo's presence in our department further fosters the development of diverse suppliers.

Certification

Broward College recognizes third party certifications from any public agency, municipality or non-profit organization. A copy of your certification must be included when submitting the Supplier Registration.

For more information on certifications contact: Shirley Gainey-Labrada at (954) 201-7307.

MWBE Directory

Our directory of certified Small, Minority and Woman-owned Businesses is provided for easy access to our diverse suppliers. Currently we have over 1,100 certified firms listed that provide a wide range of products and services.