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Supplier Diversity Program

Sinclair is committed to the goal of enhancing economic opportunities for small and socially/economically disadvantaged businesses, as well as minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQIA-owned, and disabled-owned diverse businesses. Therefore, Sinclair encourages certified small and diverse suppliers to participate in the bidding of contracts, and to connect with Sinclair buyers for future opportunities to provide goods and services to the college.

Additionally, we encourage non-diverse contractors to help support our Supplier Diversity Program as they perform contract work here at the college. This can be achieved through active partnership with and reporting the use of small and diverse suppliers in Tier II subcontracting spend.

Program Objectives

Sinclair's long-term objective is to attain 15% of its annual volume in Tier I diverse spend. The college seeks to accomplish this goal by increase Sinclair’s overall small and diverse supplier base, networking with local, regional, and state organizations that are committed to supplier diversity, providing internal and external marketing and education for the Supplier Diversity Program, and refined capture and reporting of diverse spend.

Following the Strategic Plan for Diversifying Suppliers to Sinclair College developed by VP for Administration Jeff Miller, the program's objectives include: Onboarding more small and diverse suppliers; establishing pathways for suppliers to connect with campus buyers and decision-makers; becoming a regular presence in conferences and workshops related to supplier diversity; collaborating with supplier diversity experts at other institutions; and encouraging businesses to seek certification to heighten their visibility and gain access to funding and other vital resources.

This program only works with your help! For more information about Sinclair's Supplier Diversity Program and how you can help make it a success, please send an email to SDP@sinclair.edu.

Certified Small and Diverse Suppliers

There are many local, state, and national organizations that offer diverse certifications. While most use the same criteria for their certification requirements, some have slightly different naming conventions. For Sinclair’s Supplier Diversity Program, we have adopted the most common diverse classifications amongst these organizations.

Note: Self-certified businesses are not recognized by our program.

  • Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE): 51% owned by a person of minority ethnicity. Includes Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indian Subcontinent, Native American and more.
  • Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE): 51% owned by a woman. Includes Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB).
  • Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE): 51% owned by a veteran. Includes Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
  • LGBT+ Business Enterprise (LGBTBE): 51% owned by a person/persons who are part of the LGBT+ community. Includes transgender and non-binary/gender non-conforming individuals.
  • Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE): 51% owned by a person with a disability regardless of whether or not that business owner employs person(s) with a disability.
  • Small Business Enterprise (SBE): Businesses certified to be small by a state or local agency. Does not include self-certifications.
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and U.S. Small Business Administration Business Development Program SBA 8(a): 51% owned by someone considered socially and economically disadvantaged. Includes African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and all women. Learn more about the SBA 8(a).

How to Apply for Certification in Ohio

There are a number of certification programs available to businesses in the state of Ohio, many of which will process your certification application at no cost. Visit these links and get on the road to certification today! You can also reach out to our friends at the Dayton Minority Business Partnership (MBP) for additional resources. Once you've received your certification, please notify us at SDP@sinclair.edu.

How to Find Certified Vendors in Ohio

The following vendor listings are publicly available, and can be accessed for free with no login required:

National Certifying Councils and Affiliates

In our effort to connect with more diverse suppliers and keep track of what’s new in the area of supplier diversity, Purchasing collaborates with the following certifying councils who are focused on the needs of diverse-owned businesses. Diverse certifications on the national and state levels are available from these councils for a fee. 

State Councils

National Councils

    Subcontracting (Tier II)

    Sinclair seeks to obtain a portion of its annual supplier volume through subcontracting certified small and diverse businesses. To assist us with this goal, we strongly encourage a Good Faith Effort from our Tier I contractors. If you are awarded a construction contract by Sinclair and plan to use a small or diverse business for Tier II subcontracting, please download the Good Faith Effort Guidelines and Subcontracting Plan to track your Tier II spend.

    If you are a small or diverse supplier currently working as a subcontractor on a Sinclair project and you're experiencing any issues, please contact the SDP Supervisor at SDP@sinclair.edu.

    SDP in the News

    Sinclair's Vendor Registry Portal

    Suppliers are invited to create a company profile in Sinclair’s Vendor Registry portal. If you are a diverse supplier that’s interested in working with Sinclair, visit the Vendor Registry section of our Doing Business with Sinclair page for more information.