Suburban Water Systems values and believes in diversity. We are therefore committed to promoting business opportunities for certified minority, woman, and disabled veteran business enterprises (MWDVBE).
We recognize our commitment to the communities we serve and to the marketplace in which we do business. This program matches our spending to the community demographics.
About Our Program
Policy Statement
It is the policy of Suburban Water Systems, through its Supplier Diversity Program, to increase business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises. We recognize the benefit and value of creating an equal opportunity for all suppliers to participate in sourcing opportunities as they arise within our company.
Suburban Water is committed to developing mutually beneficial business relationships with minority-, woman- and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises (MWDVBE) that have the capability to meet or exceed our requirements for products and services. Identifying these businesses, providing them opportunities to do business with us and helping them succeed are essential elements to our own success and are directly in line with our core mission and values around community citizenship.
All employees are encouraged to seek and provide avenues of support and opportunities for MWDVBE suppliers who may also be valued customers. Our policy guides sourcing activities throughout our organization in a collaborative environment so that those who are tasked with varied procurement responsibilities play a key role in making our corporate objective a reality.
Our Vision
- Develop a strong base of high quality minority suppliers
- Include all qualified suppliers in bid opportunities
- Measure, track, benchmark and report Suburban Water’s company-wide spending
- Strengthen economic growth within our supply chain by using diverse suppliers
Products and Services We Purchase
We purchase millions of dollars in products and services on a regular basis from local, regional and national suppliers. Here is a partial list of products and services we commonly purchase:
Construction: Pipeline installation (potable water), concrete work, electrical (commercial and industrial), excavation, pump stations, AC paving, pumps and motors, steel water reservoirs, construction tools, treatment chemicals
Maintenance and Repair: Janitorial services, office machine services, landscaping, pipeline repair, painting, reservoir recoating, electrical, and air conditioning
Materials and Supplies: Office supplies and machines, furniture and fixtures, mechanical and electrical equipment, and computers and related supplies
Promotion Services: Printing, catering, marketing and advertising
Professional Services: Legal and engineering
Transportation: Vehicle maintenance, automotive supplies, purchase of automobiles and trucks and contract hauling
Getting Certified
Certification is a validation process by a third party certifying agency that ensures a business is actually owned, controlled and operated by the diverse applicant (minorities, women, disadvantaged). This due diligence ensures only those businesses that meet the strict eligibility requirements of the program are certified.
Suburban Water Systems and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) only recognize and accept certification through the CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse. (If your business is already certified by a comparable agency, you must still complete the certification process through the CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse.)
Certification can be obtained by going to the CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse. Contact them to become a certified minority-, woman- and disabled veteran-owned business enterprise (MWDVBE).
Online: www.thesupplierclearinghouse.com
Phone: toll free (800) 359-7998
Please also note that once certified, it’s the supplier’s responsibility to keep their certification current.
Note: While certification is not a requirement to do business with us, it is highly recommended.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding Suburban Water Systems’ Supplier Diversity Program or how to become a certified supplier, please contact:
Lauren James
Utility Supplier Diversity Program Manager
Suburban Water Systems
Phone: (626) 543-2531
E-mail: SupplierDiversity@swwc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
One of our main goals at Suburban Water Systems is to contribute to the betterment of our community. To help us achieve this goal, we strive to work with business partners that share our diversity values.
To help you understand more about our Supplier Diversity Program, we’re including the following frequently asked questions.
1. What is Supplier Diversity?
Supplier Diversity is a strategic focus by corporations to ensure the inclusion of minority-, women- and disabled veteran-owned companies in the procurement of goods and services. It is the condition of creating a base of suppliers and business partners that are highly representative of a company’s customer base. Supplier Diversity takes root in the procurement infrastructure and seeks to create an inclusive vendor pool for contracting, purchasing and outsourcing, using various proactive strategies.
2. Why Supplier Diversity for Suburban Water Systems?
Suburban Water values and believes in diversity. Suburban Water is committed to promoting business opportunities for certified minority, woman, and disabled veteran business enterprises (MWDVBE).
Suburban Water recognizes its commitment to the communities in which it serves and to the marketplace in which it conducts business. This program matches our spending to the community demographics.
The overall goal of our supplier diversity program helps us:
- Let MWDVBEs grow and get on a level playing field with other suppliers.
- Strengthen and broaden our network of suppliers.
- Add value by expanding our supplier base, thus allowing partnerships with more creative, cost-efficient, flexible and innovative companies.
- Receive potentially better pricing, quality, service and other benefits. By broadening the vendor base, we have the ability to lower procurement costs.
- Meet guidelines established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for regulated utilities.
3. What is a minority business enterprise (MBE)?
A minority business enterprise (MBE) is any legal entity organization engaging in commercial transactions that is at least 51% owned, controlled and operated by one or more minority persons.
4. What is a minority?
A minority is a male or female in the following categories:
- African American — Person(s) having origins in any black racial groups of Africa
- Hispanic American — Person(s) of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, Caribbean and other Spanish culture or origin
- Native American — Person(s) having origin in any of the original peoples of North America or the Hawaiian Islands, in particular American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts and Native Hawaiians
- Asian Pacific American — Person(s) having origins in Asia or the Indian subcontinent, including but not limited to Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Polynesia, Samoa, Guam the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, Northern Marianas, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
- Other — Members are found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(d)), or the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 11625
5. What is a certified MWDVBE?
MWDVBE, an acronym for “Minority, Woman, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise,” is a supplier who has completed the certification process. Certification is a validation process by a third party certifying agency that ensures a business is actually owned, controlled and operated by the diverse applicant (minorities, women, disadvantaged). This due diligence ensures only those businesses that meet the strict eligibility requirements of the program are certified.
6. Are there different MWDVBE classifications?
No. However, in order to be classified as a MWDBVE, you or your business must be:
- Recognized as a “for profit” enterprise, regardless of size
- Physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories
AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
- A Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) that is 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more members of a minority group that maintain U.S. citizenship.
- A Woman-Owned Business Enterprise that is 51% owned, operated and controlled by a female of U.S. citizenship.
- Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise, that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a disabled veteran.
7. How do I become a certified MWDVBE?
Certification can be obtained by going to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Supplier Clearinghouse. Please visit www.thesupplierclearinghouse.com to become a certified MWDVBE.
Please also note that once certified, it’s the supplier’s responsibility to keep their certification current.
Note: While certification is not a requirement to do business with us, it is highly recommended.
8. Are there advantages to participating in your Supplier Diversity Program?
By participating in Suburban Water’s Supplier Diversity Program, you may enjoy the following benefits:
- Opportunities to be included in bid opportunities as they arise
- Opportunities for your information to be shared among the many various utility companies, thus creating greater business possibilities and growth
- Mentoring to help grow your business
- Assistance from Suburban Water’s Utility Supplier Diversity Program Manager who can help uncover contract opportunities within our company
9. What is expected from me as a supplier?
- Quality of products and services
- Top-notch services and reliability
- Competitive prices and terms
- Adherence to contract requirements
- MWDVBE certification (by CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse)
10. Does being a certified MWDVBE guarantee award of a Suburban Water Systems contract or guarantee the ability to bid on projects?
No, certification does not guarantee business with Suburban Water nor does it obligate Suburban Water to place any supplier on a bidders list.
11. Does becoming a certified MWDVBE mean that I am a “preferred” or approved vendor?
No, certification does not mean that a supplier is a “preferred” or approved supplier. Certification is an additional component we considered when evaluating a new or current supplier when an opportunity arises in our sourcing process. Suburban Water’s process to do business with potential suppliers is the same for all suppliers.
Note: While certification is not a requirement to do business with Suburban Water, we highly recommended MWDVBE participation.
