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Supplier Diversity

The University of Virginia is committed to the goal of non-discrimination and to giving fair consideration for all vendors in its procurement programs. The University of Virginia has set a voluntary goal of doing 5% more business with SWAM firms each year. This goal does not allow for "set aside" purchases. SWAM firms must compete equally with majority firms and be able to provide the University with quality goods and services at competitive prices.

Supplier Diversity was established to ensure that small, women-owned, and minority-owned (SWAM) firms have full opportunity to compete for the University's business. Supplier Diversity serves as a liaison between the SWAM vendor community and all University staff with procurement responsibilities.

Mission Statement

The Supplier Diversity Initiative's mission is to eliminate the excuses that would prevent the University of Virginia from being the best that it can be because it failed to diversify its supply chain. We strive to maintain strategic and sustainable relationships with diverse firms through straight talk, business development, insuring access to information, and effective networking.

What is a SWAM Vendor?

In order to be classified as a "SWAM" business, vendors must be certified as such by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (VDMBE). Vendors may request DMBE certification at http://www.dmbe.state.va.us/swamcert.html.

SWAM firms are small businesses and businesses owned and operated by women or minorities. The Commonwealth of Virginia defines these three types of firms as follows:

Small Business

An independently owned and operated business which, together with affiliates, has 250 or fewer employees, or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less averaged over the previous three years.
Woman-Owned Business

Any business concern that is at least 51% owned by a non-minority woman or women (a minority woman is classified as a minority) who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, or in the case of a corporation, partnership or limited liability company or other entity, at least 51 percent of the equity ownership interest in which is owned by one or more women, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of such individuals.
Minority-Owned Business

A business concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minorities or in the case of a corporation, partnership or limited liability company or other entity, at least 51 percent of the equity ownership interest in which is owned by one or more minorities and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of such individuals.

A "minority individual" means a person who is a citizen of the United States or a legal resident alien and who satisfies one or more of the following definitions:
  • "African Americans" means all persons having origins in any of the original peoples of Africa and who are regarded as such by the community of which these persons claim to be a part.
  • "Asian Americans" means all persons having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Japan, China, Vietnam, Samoa, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Northern Marinas, the Philippines, U. S. territory of the Pacific, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Srilanka and who are regarded as such by the community of which these persons claim to be a part.
  • "Eskimos and Aleuts" means all persons having origins in any of the peoples of Northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and Eastern Siberia and who are regarded as such in the community of which these persons claim to be a part.
  • "Hispanic Americans" means all persons having origins in any of the Spanish speaking peoples of Mexico, South or Central America, or the Caribbean Islands or other Spanish or Portuguese cultures and who are regarded as such by the community of which these persons claim to be a part.
  • "Native Americans" means all persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America and who are regarded as such by the community of which these persons claim to be a part or who are recognized by a tribal organization.

Outreach to SWAM Vendors

Procurement Services and Supplier Diversity pursue the goal of increasing the amount of business done with SWAM firms by undertaking new initiatives to reach out to the SWAM vendor community.

  • Procurement Services notifies the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (VDMBE) of all new Requests for Proposal to help ensure that SWAM firms are aware of opportunities for doing business with the University.
  • SWAM firms are invited and encouraged to attend the quarterly Vendor Training sessions conducted by the Director of Procurement Services and co-sponsored by Supplier Diversity.
  • SWAM vendors are also encouraged to attend our annual vendor fair. Please contact our Training Coordinatorpopup for information about the vendor fair.
  • UVA departmental purchasers are required to solicit at least one quote from a DMBE-Certified Minority- or Woman-owned firm for purchases of less than $5,000.
  • Procurement Services buyers must obtain at least two quotations from DMBE-Certified Minority- or Woman-owned firms for purchases in the $5,000 to $49,999.99 range. For purchases of $50,000 or more, at least four of the solicitations must be to DMBE-Certified Minority- or Woman-owned firms.
  • Supplier Diversity works with the University's majority-owned prime contractors to encourage subcontracting opportunities, joint ventures, and partnerships for SWAM firms.

Resources for Departments

Procurement Services and Supplier Diversity also pursue the goal of increasing the amount of business done with SWAM firms by providing information to departments about the goods and services offered by SWAM vendors.

  • Procurement Services and Supplier Diversity work directly with University departments to provide information about SWAM firms.
  • This website includes a search of VDMBE-certified vendors that allows users to find SWAM vendors by the type of commodity they provide, and which gives Integrated System Supplier Numbers for those that are already registered in our system.
  • Finally, University departments can contact Supplier Diversity directly or any of the Procurement Services buyers for help in finding SWAM vendors.

Contact Us

Bill Cooper -- Director, Supplier Diversity

E-mail: coop@virginia.edu
Phone: 434-924-7174
Fax: 434-982-2690
Lorie Jean Strother -- SWAM Contract Administrator

E-mail: ljs8n@virginia.edu
Phone: 434-243-2373
Fax: 434-982-2690
Shannon Wampler -- Senior Supplier Diversity Coordinator

E-mail: saw2w@virginia.edu
Phone: 434-924-3173
Supplier Diversity - Carruthers Hall

1001 North Emmet Street
P. O. Box 400202
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4202