University of Pennsylvania
OP-T2-24: Historically Underutilized Businesses

The Penn Purchasing Services Supplier Diversity Program is designed to promote and increase participation of minority, women, and disabled veteran business enterprises (MBE, WBE and DVBEs) in Penn Purchasing's supply chain. Penn Purchasing Services looks for opportunities to work with diversity suppliers in all of our commodity areas – from research, technology, office products and MRO purchase requirements. Purchasing Services, operating under the auspices of the University’s Division of Business Services, has developed a Diversity Supplier Development Program in partnership with the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center of Pennsylvania (MBDA Business Center of Pennsylvania) at the Enterprise Center, a Philadelphia-based non-profit, to maximize business opportunities for qualified Philadelphia based, regional and national diversity suppliers interested in developing mutually beneficial business relationships with Penn. MBDA Business Center of Pennsylvania is Penn’s sole diversity supplier development and engagement facilitator based on Purchasing Services predefined procurement business and technology requirements. MBDA Business Center of Pennsylvania engages interested diversity suppliers on behalf of Penn and members of the Philadelphia Area Collegiate Cooperative (PACC) in order to match supplier capabilities and capacity with the appropriate purchasing organization.

Economic Inclusion at Penn http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/social/economic-inclusion-at-penn.php The Penn Compact: Engaging Locally http://www.upenn.edu/president/penn-compact/engaging-locally Local Community Business Initiative http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/social/local-community-business.php The Penn Marketplace http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/buytools/penn-marketplace.php