Upstate Medical University Supplier Diversity Program Overview

Steven D. Coker, Supplier Diversity Coordinator
155 Elizabeth Blackweel Street, Office #316
Syracuse, NY 13210
315 464-4657
Email: cokers@upstate.edu

Upstate Medical University through its Supplier Diversity Program, with strong support from Upstate's President, David R. Smith, is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for the vendors, suppliers, service providers, consultants, architects and engineers, and contractors who serve Upstate Medical University so that the enterprises competing for our business reflect the diversity of Central New York and the entire region.

The Supplier Diversity Program helps strengthen the economic development and viability of local businesses, and helps ensure that Upstate receives quality goods and services at competitive prices.

This program has been developed to be consistent with the goals of Upstate’s Strategic Plan, Engaging Excellence, as well as the procedures set forth by the State University of New York Procurement Polices and Procedures. The program includes targeted outreach efforts aimed at increasing opportunities for a diverse range of businesses, including businesses certified as either minority or women-owned businesses through the Empire State Development, New York’s economic development agency.

 

Definitions

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

A business enterprise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation that is: (a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more minority group members; (b) an enterprise in which such minority ownership is real, substantial and continuing; (c) an enterprise in which such minority ownership has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise; and (d) an enterprise authorized to do business in New York State and independently owned and operated.

Minority Group Member

A United States citizen or permanent resident alien who is and can demonstrate membership in one of the following groups: (a) Black persons having origins in any of the Black African racial groups; (b) Hispanic persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American of either Indian or Hispanic origin, regardless of race; (c) Native American or Alaskan native persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America; (d) Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origins in any of the Far East countries, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands.

Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

A business enterprise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation that is: (a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more United States citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women; (b) an enterprise in which such ownership interest of such women is real, substantial and continuing; (c) an enterprise in which such women ownership has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of the enterprise; and (d) an enterprise authorized to do business in New York State and independently owned and operated.

 

Responsibilites and Regulations

As a SUNY institution, Upstate has taken the following steps to provide opportunities to MWBEs:

  • Established goals of 20% participation for New York State certified MWBEs (10% for MBEs and 10% for WBEs);
  • Employ and document good faith efforts in the procurement process;
  • Require prime vendors to submit utilization plans and EEO policies for achieving MWBE goals; and
  • Require prime vendors to submit periodic compliance reports.

In 1988, the NYS Executive Law was amended by the addition of Article 15-A: “Participation by Minority Group Members and Women with Respect to State Contracts”. Article 15-A authorized the creation of an Office (now Division) of Minority and Women's Business Development (DMWBD) to promote employment and business opportunities on state contracts for minorities and women. A main function of the DMWBD is the review of applications submitted by business and the determination of their MWBE status (see below for a discussion of the application process). All state agencies are required to establish employment and business participation goals for certified minorities and women.

The DMWBD maintains a searchable listing of certified MWBEs. External link The search can be vendor specific, product specific or by market area. In order for the University and prime contractors to get MWBE credit, the MWBE business must be certified as an MWBE by the DMWBD.

In addition to Article 15-A, Upstate is governed by SUNY Procurement Policy, specifically document numbers 7553 External link (Purchasing and Contracting), 7556 External link (Procurement Opportunities for New York State Certified Minority-and Women-Owned Businesses), and 7557 External link (Participation by Minority Group Members and Women (MWBEs) with Respect to State University of New York Contracts).

 

Summary of SUNY Policies and Procedures

7553
Established the procurement process that the University is to follow. Among the areas covered are publication thresholds, preferred sources, centralized state contracts and reporting requirements.
7556
Sets forth the principle that the University will take affirmative action ensuring certified MWBEs are given the opportunity to provide the University with commodities and services at competitive prices. Provides definitions for MBEs, WBEs and minority group member.
7557
This procedure sets forth guidelines to assist state-operated campuses of the State University of New York (University) in the procurement of materials, supplies, equipment and services (including printing) from NYS certified minority- or women-owned businesses (M/WBEs).