1. Complete the online Supplier Application Form:
Small Business and Diversity Suppliers wishing to be considered for future business must register with Procurement Services. Tell us a little about your business size and primary commodity offered. To get started click here.

Certifications of MBE, WBE, SDB, VBE, DBE, 8(a), or HUBZone from other agencies are recognized and should be documented when registering your company. If you are in the process of obtaining certification from another agency, please forward a copy to the SDP Contact once the certification process is complete.

2. Notification:
Once received, the appropriate Sourcing Officer for your commodity will contact you within 45 days of receipt of your application. Confirmation may be by email, telephone or fax from the Sourcing Officer.

3. Next-Step:
The Sourcing Officer will review your product/service offerings with his/her team. If business opportunities are identified, and a favorable client reference evaluation is obtained, the Sourcing Officer will contact you. If no current business opportunities are identified, your form will be held on file for future consideration.

Does My Business Qualify for the Supplier Diversity Program?
Vanderbilt Supplier Diversity Program includes Minority-owned, Women-owned and Small Business Enterprises including all small business concerns.

To ensure compliance with government contracting requirements, we ask that companies claiming small or diversity-owned business status be registered online with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Central Contractor Registration (CCR). When you register or update your CCR profile, you will be prompted to go to the SBA supplemental page to update your SBA profile. If you are claiming HUBzone or 8(a) status, you are required to be certified by the SBA.

Minority-Owned - A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by, one or more members of a socially and economically disadvantaged minority group, namely U.S. citizens who are African-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American and Indian Sub-Continent American.

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) - A Minority Business Enterprise usually certified by a federal, state or local government agency as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility.

Women-Owned - A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.

Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) - A Women Business enterprise usually certified by a federal, state or local government agency as having met all of the government standards that award eligibility.

Small Business - A business concern eligible for assistance from the SBA and is one that is organized for profit, with a place of business located within the U.S. It must operate primarily within the U.S. or make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through the payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor. Together with its affiliates, it must meet the numerical size standards as defined in the Small Business Size Regulations, 13 CFR 121. A business is generally considered small if:

1. Manufacturing Industries: Business has fewer than 500 employees.
2. General Construction: Business has average annual receipts of less than 28 million for the three preceding fiscal years.
3. Service Industries: Business has average annual receipts of less than 5 million for the three preceding fiscal years.

Other Business Classifications utilized by Vanderbilt University:

Disabled-Owned - A business that is at least 51% owned by one or more disabled persons who control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business.

Veteran-Owned - A business that is at least 51% owned by one or more veterans, who control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business. The term “veteran” (38 U.S.C. ‘101(2) means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - New certification eligibility criteria established by the SBA effective 7/1/99. All firms must be certified by one of the SDB Certification Agencies designated by the SBA. To qualify must be a small business, not exceed standards for Primary SIC, meet Contracting Officers’ assigned SIC code, be a U.S. Citizen and be 51% owned and controlled by one or more Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Individuals. The SBA classification is based on a Preponderance of the Evidence Clause. This SDB Certification is good for 3 years.

HUBZone Certified - A business that is operating in a certified historically under-utilized business zone.