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Program Requirements

Requirements:

• We consider the following factors in awarding business to prospective suppliers and vendors:
  • High quality products and services
  • Cost effectiveness
  • Quality customer care

Definitions:

• A Minority Supplier is defined by the following designations:
  • African American – A U.S. citizen whose origin is from any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
  • Hispanic American – A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage (true-born meaning “authentically” or “genuinely” as per Webster’s Dictionary), from any of the Spanish speaking areas of Latin America of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean basin.
  • Native American – A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, or Native Hawaiian and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band of otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (for example, a tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).
  • Asian-Pacific American – A U.S. born citizen whose country of origin is Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific of the Northern Marianas, Indonesia, Micronesia or Polynesia.
  • Asian-Indian American – A U.S. citizen whose country of origin is India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) – A business that has been certified by an approved agency and that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minority individual or a minority group.
• Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) – A business that has been certified by an approved agency and that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more disabled veterans.
• Women Business Enterprise (WBE) – A business that has been certified by an approved agency and that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.

Third Party Certification:
Third party certification is required to participate in Columbia St. Mary’s Supplier Diversity Program. We will, however, give consideration to companies who by contract, agree to obtain certification by the end of the 1st year.