Prospective customers speak to a supplier at the supplier diversity conference

Supplier Diversity

Our Mission

 

The University of Delaware promotes an environment in which all people are inspired to learn and encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, free inquiry, and respect for the views and values of an increasingly diverse population. As such, the University endeavors to also have a supply chain that is equally diverse by expanding the registration and participation of small, veteran and minority and women owned businesses on the University procurements.

 

The University of Delaware is committed to an inclusive, collaborative environment that provides diverse, small, veteran and minority and women owned businesses equal access to bid on the procurement of goods, services, supplies and construction service contracts. UD actively seeks diverse, small, and local businesses to develop relationships and is committed to serving the University and local communities it services by providing outreach and education.

Supplier speaks to a prospective client at a supplier diversity conference

What is a diverse supplier?

 

To participate in the supplier diversity program, a supplier must be classified into one of the following categories:

A business concern that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by one or more minorities including African American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens.

A business concern that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a woman or women who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens.

A business concern that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a person or persons who have served on active duty in the military, naval or air services; and who have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

A business concern that is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a person or persons with a permanent physical or mental impairment who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens.

A business concern with 250 or fewer employees or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less averaged over the previous three years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supplier Diversity is the practice of sourcing goods and services through a variety of suppliers that can include diverse, small, and locally owned businesses.

The university, its surrounding community and its partners are diverse and ensuring its supply chain is equally diverse assures increased competition and innovation;  better pricing; and the opportunity to positively impact the local workforce and economy.

  1. Increased competition
  2. Increased innovation
  3. Competetive pricing
  4. Supplier agility
  1. Be aware of the university's supplier diversity goals
  2. Include a variety of businesses when sourcing through request for quotes and request for proposals
  3. Include a variety of businesses when sourcing for smaller purchases using your credit card
  4. Reaching out to procurement or supplier diversity to assist with finding diverse, small or local  businesses.
  5. Nominate small, diverse, and local businesses that have provided exceptional service
  6. Recommend small, diverse and local businesses
  7. Provide feedback to procurement and supplier diversity when working with new suppliers on how to improve supplier diversity efforts

Businesses interested in developing relationships with the university should send an email of interest along with their capability statement to supplierdiversity@udel.edu.

We accept local, state, federal, and national diversity certifications.

No, currently the University only registers suppliers with active contracts. Businesses interested in developing relationships with the university should send an email of interest along with their capability statement to supplierdiversity@udel.edu.

Registering for the supplier diversity registration portal does not guarantee an engagement with the University.

Upcoming Events

2025 Supplier Diversity Conference

March 11, 2025 (Save the date!)

 

More information coming soon.

 

Past Events

2024 Supplier Diversity Engagement Summit

2024 UD Supplier Diversity Summit

On March 5-6, 2024, UD held its own supplier diversity conference. This event garnered 236 attendees from DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA and TX.

We provided:

  • 24 educational sessions
  • 53 exhibitor tables
  • a plenary session
  • an alumni panel discussion
  • an awards cocktail reception recognizing two
    community partners, and three suppliers

Alumni Panel discussion.

2023 Supplier Diversity Conference

On March 1, 2023, UD held its first annual supplier training and education conference. This event brought in attendees from DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX and CA.

2022 Supplier Diversity Engagement Summit

On August 3rd, 2022, UD held its own supplier diversity summit. This event garnered attendees from DE, MD, NJ, NY, and PA.

Supplier speaks with a potential client at a supplier diversity conference

Ready to get started?

 

Businesses interested in developing relationships with the university should send an email of interest along with their capability statement to supplierdiversity@udel.edu.

Certification Requirements

 

We require that all suppliers participating in the Supplier Diversity Program have the appropriate status certification from a local or national issuing authority. The following is a list of common certifying organizations that can provide information on becoming certified or renewing a certification. The list is not comprehensive, and if you are certified by another organization simply include it in the "Other" field of the Supplier Information Questionnaire.

If your business is invited to bid or if we request your services, we reserve the right to contact your certifying agency or request that you fax us any certification documents.

 

Additional Resources

 

Please visit the sites below for additional resources.

 

Small Business Development Center

Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity

Small Business LIFT Program

Headshot of UD Chief Supplier Diversity Officer Victoria Daniels

Victoria Daniels

Chief Supplier Diversity Officer

Victoria Daniels, serves as UD’s Chief Supplier Diversity Officer, reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She is responsible for developing and implementing the University’s supplier diversity initiatives. In each position she has had, her work provided her an opportunity to champion and empower those who have often been overlooked or relegated to second-class status.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Business Communications
Rosemont College

Juris Doctor Degree, Law
Seattle University School of Law