Supplier Diversity
Diversity Goals
The Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, "BEP ACT" (BEP) , (30 ILCS 575/) establishes that "not less than 30% of the total dollar amount of State contracts, as defined by the Secretary of the Council and approved by the Council, shall be established as a goal to be awarded to businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities." Learn more about the Business Enterprise Program.
Through the Veterans Business Program (VBP), (30 ILCS 500/45-57) state agencies and universities are encouraged to spend no less than 3% of the total dollar amount of State contracts with VOSBs and SDVOSBs. Learn more about the Veterans Business Program.
Certification
Only BEP and VBP certified vendors are recognized by the University of Illinois System's Supplier Diversity Program.
Learn more about the BEP certification process and requirements.
Learn more about the VBP certification process and requirements.
BEP and VBP certified vendors must meet the general requirements for all vendors wishing to do business with the University of Illinois. Learn more about general requirements for vendors.
Search Diverse Vendors
Search for Illinois Central Management Services BEP and VBP certified vendors.
Search for Architectures and Engineers Prequalified with the Illinois Capital Development Board.
Diverse Supplier Development Program
The University of Illinois System’s Diverse Supplier Development Program reflects our commitment to empowering diverse businesses and creating a more inclusive economy. This groundbreaking 9-month program will help diverse small business owners expand their capacity and knowledge, empowering them to grow their business. Learn more about the Diverse Supplier Development Program.
Supplier Diversity for Construction Projects
There are additional supplier diversity resources and requirements for contractors and design professionals working on construction projects. To learn more about supplier diversity for construction projects, please refer to the Construction Projects page.
B2GNow - Diversity Management System
The University of Illinois - Office of Procurement Diversity is pleased to provide its Diversity Management and Compliance System. This web-based software system is accessible to University staff, Consultants, Contractors, Sub-contractors, and recipients. The following key features are available, depending upon levels of access.
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Enhanced contract compliance management
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Communication with Contractors and Consultants via email, regarding compliance issues
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Online and automated tracking of diversity goal attainment
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Online verification of diverse firm payments
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Flexible reporting capabilities
Supplier Diversity Definitions
Diverse Firms
"Diverse Firms" shall mean businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. This also includes qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and qualified veteran-owned small businesses.
Business Enterprise Act
Business
"Business" means a business that has annual gross sales of less than $150,000,000, as evidenced by the federal income tax return of the business. A firm with gross sales over this cap may apply to the Council for certification for a particular contract if the firm can demonstrate that the contract would have a significant impact on businesses owned by minorities, women, or persons with disabilities as suppliers or subcontractors or in the employment of minorities, women, or persons with disabilities. Firms with gross sales over this cap that are granted certification by the Council shall be granted certification for the life of the contract, including available renewals.
Minority-owned business
"Minority-owned business" means a business which is at least 51% owned by one or more minority persons, or in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock in which is owned by one or more minority persons; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more of the minority individuals who own it.
Minority person
"Minority person" means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is any of the following:
- Native American (American Indian) or Alaska Native (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment).
- Asian (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam).
- Black or African American (a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa). Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black or African American".
- Hispanic or Latino (a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race).
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands).
Women-owned business
"Women-owned business" means a business which is at least 51% owned by one or more women, or, in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock in which is owned by one or more women; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more of the women who own it.
Woman
"Woman" means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is of the female gender.
Business owned by a person with a disability
"Business owned by a person with a disability" means a business that is at least 51% owned by one or more persons with a disability, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more of the persons with disabilities who own it. A not-for-profit agency for persons with disabilities, "Facility for Persons with Severe Disabilities," that is exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is also considered a "business owned by a person with a disability." (30 ILCS 500/45-35)
Person with a disability
"Person with a disability" means a person who is a citizen or lawful resident of the United States and is a person qualifying as being disabled under subdivision (Illinois Compiled Statutes 30 ILCS 575/2 subsection A).
Business Enterprise Act
Qualified service-disabled veteran
"Qualified service-disabled veteran" means a veteran who has been found to have 10% or more service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Defense. (30 ILCS 500/45-57)
Qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB)
"Qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small business" or "SDVOSB" means a small business (i) that is at least 51% owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veterans living in Illinois or, in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veterans living in Illinois; (ii) that has its home office in Illinois; and (iii) for which items (i) and (ii) are factually verified annually by the Department of Central Management Services.
Qualified veteran-owned small business (VOSB)
"Qualified veteran-owned small business" or "VOSB" means a small business (i) that is at least 51% owned by one or more qualified veterans living in Illinois or, in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more qualified veterans living in Illinois; (ii) that has its home office in Illinois; and (iii) for which items (i) and (ii) are factually verified annually by the Department of Central Management Services.
Supplier Diversity FAQs
Q. Does the University of Illinois System have a supplier diversity program?
A. Yes, the University of Illinois System is committed to and supports supplier diversity because it is essential to the system's mission and core values.
The Office of Procurement Diversity administers the University of Illinois' supplier diversity program.
Q. Does the University of Illinois System have supplier diversity goals?
A. Yes, the mission of Supplier Diversity is to expand procurement opportunities to businesses that have been historically underrepresented in the procurement process by increasing utilization of businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to at least 30%of allowable expenditures and 3% for veteran-owned businesses.
Q. How do diverse firms participate in University of Illinois System contracts?
A. Diverse firms may participate as prime contractors or subcontractors. Diverse firms may also participate in joint ventures with majority-owned firms or with other diverse firms.
Q. Do State of Illinois agencies and universities have a searchable database to locate certified diverse firms to participate on University of Illinois System contracts?
A. Yes, certified diverse firms are included in a searchable BEP and/or VBP Certification Directory maintained by the State's Business Enterprise Program (BEP. Additionally, Office of Procurement Diversity Staff would assist with searches.
Q. Does the University of Illinois System guarantee work for diverse businesses?
A. No, the U of I System does not guarantee work to any supplier, but we are committed to working with diverse suppliers to the university's procurement processes.
Q. What types of goods and services does University of Illinois System purchase?
A. The U of I System purchases a wide variety of goods and services to support academic, research, and health programs. Procurement opportunities are posted on the Illinois Procurement Bulletin for Public Institutions of Higher Education.
Q. What is certification?
A. The certification process verifies that a business is at least 51% owned and controlled by an eligible minority, woman, disabled person or veteran.
Q. How does a minority, woman, a person with a disability or veteran-owned firm get certified?
A. Diverse suppliers can apply for certification through the State of Illinois' Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Detailed information about BEP, eligibility criteria and an online application is available at the BEP Certification Overview page on the Commission on Equity and Inclusion site.
Q. Does a minority, woman, person with a disability or veteran-owned business have to be a certified diverse vendor to do business with the university?
A. No, but being a certified diverse firm allows you to potentially participate as a subcontractor to meet the University of Illinois System's diversity spending goals.
Q. Are there any benefits of certification?
A. Yes, once certified a business is entered into a public database that is accessible to any business or entity that desires to do business with a diverse firm. Certified diverse firms can be utilized by prime vendors to meet a solicitation diversity goal.
Q. Does my firm have to be certified to be counted towards a diversity goal?
A. Yes, a diverse firm must be certified at the time of bid submission to be counted towards a diversity goal.
Q. Does the University of Illinois System's accept other certifications such as, from the federal, state or city municipalities?
A. No, U of I System only accepts certification from the State of Illinois' Commission on Equity and Inclusion / Business Enterprise Program (BEP).
Q. How long is the certification process?
A. The State will grant certification within 60 days for Full BEP Certification if it determines that your firm meets its eligibility criteria and has submitted all the required documentation and forms. To learn about the Recognition and FastTrack Certifications please refer to the BEP Certification Overview.
Q. How do diverse businesses learn about current and upcoming opportunities to do business with the University of Illinois System?
A. To download solicitation documents, receive email notifications of opportunities, and take advantage of other vendor services, diverse businesses are encouraged to create an account with the Illinois Procurement Bulletin for Public Institutions of Higher Education.
Q. Can required documents be submitted prior to responding to a University of Illinois System procurement solicitation?
A. Yes, the Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG) allow prospective vendors to provide disclosures, registrations and other documentation needed to do business with a state agency or university in advance of any particular procurement.
Q. What is IPHEC?
A. The Illinois Public Higher Education Cooperative (IPHEC) was formed in 1975 to consolidate common requirements for various state universities on one bid with subsequent orders being placed by each individual university for the contract period.
The thirteen campuses of the nine Illinois public universities participate in the Cooperative. One university initiates and receives bids on the consolidated requirement of a particular commodity. Upon determination of the lowest bid IPHEC member universities each establish individual contracts with the selected vendor for the commodity and orders are issued accordingly.
For information about IPHEC, please visit the IPHEC website.