University of Pennsylvania
OP-T2-25: Local Businesses

Engaging Locally! is one of the main components of the Penn Compact 2020, President Amy Gutmann's vision for Penn. As the largest private employer in the City of Philadelphia and the second largest private employer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Penn is using its considerable purchasing and construction capacity, as well as its academic expertise, to encourage local business growth, empower diversity and women business owners, provide women and minorities with greater access to the skilled and higher-paying trades, and create jobs. Purchasing Services supports Penn's commitment to economic inclusion by engaging diversity-owned and local community-based suppliers in the procurement process at Penn. With support from senior management, community and political leaders, Purchasing Services has leveraged the University's buying power, its knowledge assets, resources, and commitment to socially responsible purchasing to provide business opportunities for local community based suppliers and job growth among neighborhood residents. Purchasing Services has succeeded in promoting economic inclusion while meeting its mission to provide best-in-class buying methods and best price supplier business relationships. Launched in 1986, Penn's Local Community Business Program pursues opportunities for local community businesses, on a direct supplier basis or in strategic partnerships with major regional and national firms, including participation in the Penn Marketplace, Penn's private online supplier exchange. Last fiscal year alone (FY12), Penn purchased more than $85.7 million in products and services from local community businesses, with $69.9 million from diversity owned suppliers. That's 12% of total Penn's purchasing dollars directed to local community businesses and 10% to diversity-owned suppliers. And by helping its diversity business partners acquire eBusiness capability, Purchasing Services is empowering them to compete more effectively in the Penn Marketplace, Penn's private supplier exchange. Approximately 20% of the Penn Marketplace participating suppliers are diversity-owned.

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 Diversity Supplier Development Program http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/supplierdiversity/diversity-supplier-development-program.php The Penn Marketplace http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/buytools/penn-marketplace.php Local Community Supplier List http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/buyinfo/suppliers/wphilly_suppliers.php