Office of Procurement Diversity
The Office of Procurement Diversity oversees Supplier Diversity at the University of Illinois System.
We are committed to vendor diversification by ensuring that diverse businesses are included in the U of I System procurement process. The Supplier Diversity Program provides access to procurement opportunities by creating an equitable and competitive business environment through encouraging campus departments to proactively consider qualified certified businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans for their contracting needs.
The State of Illinois declares that it is the public policy of the State to promote and encourage the continuing economic development of minority, women, and persons with disabilities owned businesses and are provided the opportunity to participate in the State's procurement process as both prime and subcontractors.
Our Mission
The mission of the Supplier Diversity program 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 30 percent of allowable expenditures. This mission will be accomplished by providing the necessary resources, outreach activities, procurement system support and engagement with faculty, staff, administration, and national and local business support and advocacy organizations to foster a quality, inclusive procurement supply chain for the University of Illinois System, thereby strengthening the diversity of the U of I community.
The Supplier Diversity Program makes the following principles the hallmark of all our work: Quality, Integrity, Transparency, Inclusivity, Innovation, and Cost Effectiveness.
Vision
The vision of the Supplier Diversity Program is to be recognized as the leading supplier diversity program in higher education.
Goals
The goals of the Supplier Diversity Program are to:
- Encourage campus departments to work with certified diverse vendors.
- Provide business opportunities for community-based diverse businesses.
- Exceed state of Illinois goals for expenditures with certified diverse firms.