Best Practices of Prime Contactors
Establish team or working group to assign advocates that act as
extension of Supplier Diversity program office. They
will spread "the gospel" to their co-workers.
Utilization of Manufacturing Engineer to visit SDBs that had contacted
SBLO regarding business opportunities. Form
was developed to allow clear rating of capabilities of
each prospective source visited. A high rating
resulted in business opportunities on both commercial
and Government contracts. Also increased buyer
confidence that new companies being added to the bid
list will perform.
Publication of supplier diversity news. Internal communication
used to motivate staff to keep supplier diversity in
mind. Articles are written and published regularly
and targeted to reach those who often make sourcing decisions.
Appointment of business advocate. A woman employee is appointed
to a temporary, one-year, term as the women-owned small
business advocate for the company. Person attends
procurement conferences and meetings. This rotational
assignment increases awareness among employees.
SBLOs formed a committee to better prepare subcontractors to do business
with their companies. Group provides free training
to small business on business etiquette, how to fill
out interest applications, and any topic determined to
help small businesses that attend. They have a
graduation ceremony for small businesses that attended
five of the six scheduled training sessions. The
SBLOs have their Vice Presidents of Purchasing attend
the graduation and the small businesses are given an
opportunity to provide an oral presentation of their
company to the audience. |
|
Inclusion of small, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses in
every procurement. Company procedures
require solicitation of at least one company from each
SB category on every procurement. If buyer doesn't
solicit at least one, authorization to proceed can only
be obtained by going through the SBLO.
Identification of where expenditures occur so everyone, not only the
buyer, knew to be on the lookout for small business sources
in those areas. Analyzed procurement cycle
and categorized purchases and suppliers involved. Identified
opportunity areas and then focused outreach efforts to
optimize spending impact.
Approval to award to SDBs that were not low bidder. Approval
given by a Corporate Vice President committed to success
of the SDB program which gave approval to award to SDBs
that weren't low bid. Not an open checkbook but
reasonable application.
Formation of Re-Sourcing Team to establish policy and procedures to
resource materials from one supplier to another. Team
consisting of members from quality assurance, purchasing
and SBLO evaluate parts to be re-sourced, analyze impact
to subcontract goals and attempt to include at least
one supplier capable of qualification in each of the
small business categories.
Technology utilization. Outreach
to small business using the internet and electronic application
processes to do business.
|
|
