Supplier Diversity

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.