The Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) certifies Minority-Owned (MBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (DVB) and Woman-Owned (WBE) businesses to provide better opportunity for them to do business with the State of Wisconsin and to assist the State of Wisconsin in achieving its goal of purchasing 5% with MBEs and 1% with DVBs. The SDP verifies that businesses are at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by a member or members of the selected population. WI certified MBE and DVB businesses may receive a 5% permissive bid preference when they bid on state contracts.
The Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program certifies Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (DVBs) so they have better opportunity to do business with the State of Wisconsin. This helps the State meet its Diversity Spend Goal of purchasing 5% with MBEs and 1% with DVBs.
The Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program was created in 1983 when the Legislature passed Wisconsin Act 390 that set a 5% participation goal for state agencies and University of Wisconsin campuses for purchases of goods and services with certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). Act 390 also established a permissive 5% bid preference for certified MBE firms responding to bids for State contracts.
In 2006, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted a woman-owned business bill that requires the Department of Administration “to develop, maintain, and keep a computer database of businesses in the state that are owned by women, containing demographic statistics and information on the types of industries represented, sales volume and growth rates, generation of jobs by both new and existing businesses and any other relevant characteristics.” According to the Act, firms wishing to participate in the WBE program must be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
In 2010, the Legislature enacted Wisconsin Act 299 that provided a participation goal of a portion of state contracts for Disabled-Veteran Owned Businesses (DVBs) certified by the State of Wisconsin. It also provided a permissive 5% bid preference to such firms. In 2014, the Legislature enacted an amendment under 2013 Wisconsin Act 192 to establish a 1% participation goal for DVBs.
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The Department of Administration certifies disabled veteran-owned (DVB), woman-owned (WBE), and minority-owned (MBE) businesses through processes governed by §16.283, 16.285, and 16.287, Wis. Stats., and Administrative Code Chapters Adm 82, 83, and 84 respectively. Businesses submit an application for review by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program. Supplier Diversity's review verifies compliance with state statutes, administrative codes, and department policies.
On November 12, 2019, Governor Tony Evers issued Executive Order #59 Relating to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in State Government. Although much of this Executive Order deals with the State of Wisconsin Workforce and Affirmative Action Council, one section of the order is directly related to the Supplier Diversity Program.
Section 6 gives the following charge to the Supplier Diversity Program Director:
"To advance progress toward meeting Wisconsin's supplier diversity goals, the Department's Director of Supplier Diversity shall assess and improve current procurement and contract processes and develop new relationships and strategies to create and foster opportunities for businesses owned or operated by racial and ethnic minorities, women, and veterans."
Supplier Diversity has made great strides in achieving the directives set forth in Executive Order #59. Some highlights include:
- Achieving Diverse Spend of 5.4% in FY20. This is the first time the State has reached the 5% goal since 2014 and the 5th time the state has achieved the 5% goal in Program History.
- Serving as Advisor to the Department of Facilities and Development Architecture and Engineering Selection Committee.
- Meeting Monthly with State Agencies to discuss diverse spend, data collection and validation.
- Collaborating with private, non state partners to secure opportunities for diverse suppliers.