Supplier Diversity

The City of San Bernardino is committed to active and comprehensive Supplier Diversity Programs (SDPs) that provide fair and equitable opportunities for small and diverse enterprises to do business with the City.  We are committed to developing mutually beneficial relationships with small, minority-owned, women-owned, disadvantaged/disabled, veteran owned and LGBTQTIA+ business enterprises. The City has a dedicated Procurement Team who have teamed up with internal and external partners to provide equitable resources and opportunities to all businesses.  In addition, in recent months, the City has dedicated staff to head our commitment and growth to Supplier Diversity.

The City is currently corporate members of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program (AILAS) and have partnered with many Chambers of Commerce including The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Black Chamber of Commerce, The Small Business Administration including SCORE resources, and more to come to support these efforts. With these partnerships, the City participates in various in not just local, but national and regional conferences, matchmaker events and forums, which relate to promoting business with DBE/M/WBE’s and bringing business locally.

Furthermore, the City has made a great stride in ensuring the inclusion of diverse suppliers as a part of our strategic sourcing and procurement processes. We continue to communicate the value of supplier diversity both internally and externally to all stakeholders. We actively seek out certified diverse suppliers that can provide competitive, high-quality goods and services whose business model is aligned with our City initiatives.

The City of San Bernardino is developing a long-term strategic plan to ensure all SDPs efforts are executed.  The City continues to be open and fluid to adapt in providing the resources and opportunities it’s committed to the small and minority business community.

 

INTERNAL RESOURCES

 

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Here are a few local external resources to support your business:

  • New! Entrepreneurial Resource Center San Bernardino (SBERC): The newly created Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) in downtown San Bernardino's Chase building, led by CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE), and powered by The City of San Bernardino provides an easily accessible hub for small business support services. Business development support for startups and existing businesses alike - The Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) will host program offerings by bringing together a wide range of entrepreneurial support organizations to provide training, technical assistance, and access to resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Inland Southern California region.
  • Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC): Which provides FREE business resources within the inland empire from starting point A through Z; Accounting to Operations, Certifying, Human Resources, Workforce Development, Technology Optimization, and much more. 
  • San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce (SBCC): values the businesses in San Bernardino and is actively helping new and current businesses relocate and expand within the City. In addition, the Chamber is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the prosperity, civic strength, and general well-being of the San Bernardino business community.

  • Inland Empire APEX Accelerators (RCCD): Help with registrations, Workshops, One-on-One counseling sessions, Understand the federal procurement process and regulations, Bid notifications. In addition, helps businesses identify, compete for, and win government contracts. Free assistance comes in the forms of teaching, mentoring, and coaching.

Here are a few national external organizations that can provide you with additional tools and resources (including certification):

  • National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), 
  •  Disability:IN
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), 
  •  National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), 
  •  United States Black Chambers Inc. (USBC), 
  •  United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), 
  •  United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC), 
  •  WEConnect InternationalWomen Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and 
  •  Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

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For more information on our Supplier Diversity Programs including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs in our community, please contact:

Mariana Bedolla: Supplier Diversity/DBE Program Specialist

Mariana Bedolla
Supplier Diversity Programs / DBE Program Specialist
909.384.5346
[email protected]

To schedule a meeting with Mariana, please click here

SB City - Supplier Diversity - Providing Resources and Equitable Opportunities for all.