Creating Inclusive 

Opportunities for Businesses 

Guide 

CHIPS Program Ofce 

August 21, 2023 
for AMERICA

CHIPS.gov

CHIPS for America includes the CHIPS Program Office, responsible for 

semiconductor incentives, and the CHIPS Research and Development Office, 

responsible for R&D programs. Both sit within the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) at the Department of Commerce. 

NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing 

measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance 

economic security and improve our quality of life. NIST is uniquely positioned 

to successfully administer the CHIPS for America program because of the 

bureau’s strong relationships with U.S. industries, its deep understanding of 

the semiconductor ecosystem, and its reputation as fair and trusted. 

 Visit https://www.chips.gov to learn more. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Executive Summary ............................................... 1 

Message from the Secretary ........................................3 

1. Value of Supplier Diversity in the Semiconductor Industry ............4 

2. Supplier Diversity Plan ..........................................5 

2.1 Identify and Categorize Suppliers ........................................... 5 

2.2 Establish Program Targets ................................................ 10 

2.3 Facilitate Outreach with Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-Owned Businesses .12 

2.4 Institute Supportive Corporate Practices ................................... 14 

3. Submitting a Successful Supplier Diversity Plan.................... 16 

3.1 Supplier Diversity Plan Guiding Questions .... ......................... . . ... . 16 

3.2 Final Submission and Evaluation ............................................17 

Appendix ....................................................... 18 

A.1 Acronyms ............................................................... 18 

A.2 Definitions .............................................................. 18 

A.3 Industry-Specific Resources............................................... 19 

A.4 Related DOC Priorities ................................................... 29 

A.5 Equity Executive Orders .................................................. 30 

Endnotes .......................................................32 

Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

1 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The CHIPS Incentives Program, authorized 

by section 9902 of the William M. (Mac) 

Thornberry National Defense Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (“CHIPS Act”), aims 

to strengthen U.S. economic and national 

security, including economic resilience and 

competitiveness, through long-term growth 

and economic sustainability in the domestic 

semiconductor industry while also investing 

in American workers. The CHIPS Incentives 

Program is administered by the CHIPS Program 

Office within the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) of the United States 

Department of Commerce (Department). 

The CHIPS Incentives Program seeks to 

assure a sufficient, sustainable, reliable, and 

secure domestic semiconductor ecosystem, 

including for economic and national security 

needs and critical industries through the 

construction, expansion, and modernization of 

semiconductor facilities. The CHIPS Incentives 

Program can provide funding for eligible 

projects via direct funding (grants, cooperative 

agreements, or other transactions), loans, and 

loan guarantees. The financial assistance is 

intended to incentivize investment related to 

fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, or 

production of semiconductors, materials used to 

manufacture semiconductors, or semiconductor 

manufacturing equipment. 

For the CHIPS Incentives Program to be 

successful, the domestic semiconductor industry 

must enable and sustain a vibrant domestic 

industry that supports quality jobs, a skilled and 

robust workforce, and a diverse supplier base 

of large and small firms, while supporting a 

high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and 

benefiting the broader U.S. economy. 

In implementing the CHIPS Incentive Program, 

the CHIPS Program Office aims to support 

Congress’ goal to build a stronger and more 

secure future as well as the following principles, 

as set forth in the CHIPS and Science Act, to 

Strengthen the security and resilience of the 

semiconductor supply chain, including by 

mitigating gaps and vulnerabilities 

• Strengthen the security and resilience of the 

semiconductor supply chain, including by 

mitigating gaps and vulnerabilities. 

• Provide a supply of secure semiconductors 

relevant for national security. 

• Strengthen the leadership of the United 

States in semiconductor technology. 

• Grow the economy of the United States and 

support job creation in the United States. 

• Bolster the semiconductor and skilled 

technical workforces in the United States. 

• Promote the inclusion of economically 

disadvantaged individuals and small 

businesses. 

• Improve the resiliency of the semiconductor 

supply chains of critical manufacturing 

industries.1 

The CHIPS Program Office offers this Creating 

Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide 

as a resource for applicants responding to the 

amended Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 

dated June 23, 2023, for the construction, 

expansion, or modernization of commercial 

facilities for (a) the front- and back-end 

fabrication of leading-edge, current, and mature 

node semiconductors; (b) wafer manufacturing; 

and (c) semiconductor materials and 

manufacturing equipment for which the capital 

investment equals or exceeds $300 million. This 

Guide is meant to supplement the NOFO and is 

for informational purposes only. 

Under the CHIPS Act, and as stated in the NOFO, 

applicants for CHIPS funding must document 

the broader impacts of the proposed project,2 

including how the applicant intends to address 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

2 

the inclusion of small businesses, minorityowned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, 

and women-owned businesses through a 

supplier diversity plan.3 The Department 

strongly supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and 

accessibility (DEIA), and firmly believes that the 

semiconductor industry cannot succeed unless 

all Americans have an opportunity to participate, 

including communities and individuals that 

have historically been underrepresented in the 

industry. 

The CHIPS Program Office is looking for 

applications with a supplier diversity plan that 

features a plan to track supplier diversity, sets 

targets, and conducts outreach in coordination 

with community partners. This Guide provides 

examples of strategies applicants can use to 

address the opportunity and inclusion goals 

outlined in the CHIPS Act and NOFO. This 

Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses 

Guide includes: 

• An overview of the value of supplier 

diversity in the semiconductor industry 

• Strategies for developing diverse supplier 

bases 

• Guidance for application submission as it 

relates to the supplier diversity plan 

• An Appendix with numerous resources on 

industry-specific supplier diversity 

The following guide is for informational 

purposes only and is intended solely to assist 

potential applicants in better understanding the 

CHIPS Incentives Program and the application 

requirements set forth in the NOFO. The guide 

does not and is not intended to supersede, 

modify, or otherwise alter applicable statutory 

or regulatory requirements, or the specific 

application requirements set forth in the NOFO. 

In all cases, statutory and regulatory mandates, 

and the requirements set forth in the NOFO, shall 

prevail over any inconsistencies contained in the 

below guide. 

Any reference to a non-federal organization 

or corporation does not convey endorsement 

or approval by the Department of Commerce 

of the entity or their programs or resources. 

All examples provided are for illustrative, nonexhaustive purposes only. The Department of 

Commerce does not guarantee the accuracy 

or completeness of the information contained 

therein. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

3 

MESSAGE FROM 

THE SECRETARY 

Thanks to President 

Biden’s leadership 

and bipartisan work 

with Congress, 

the Commerce 

Department 

is investing 

approximately $50 

billion to boost 

U.S. semiconductor 

manufacturing, bring 

supply chains back 

to our shores, and create good-paying jobs in 

communities across the country. The CHIPS for 

America program is a historic opportunity to 

unleash the next generation of innovation, protect 

our national security, and solidify America’s 

technological leadership for decades to come. 

In doing so, the Commerce Department and the 

entire Biden Administration are committed to 

ensuring that CHIPS for America investments 

benefit small businesses, as well as minorityowned, women-owned, and veteran-owned 

businesses. If we want our country to reach its 

full economic potential, we need to invest in our 

workers and entrepreneurs, particularly those that 

have traditionally been left out or left behind. 

I know firsthand that investing in women-owned 

and minority-owned businesses makes our 

economy and nation more competitive. Today, it’s 

far too difficult for minority business enterprises 

and entrepreneurs to access the capital they 

need to expand their workforce, launch a new 

line, or start exporting their products. Access 

to capital is the number one issue I hear from 

minority business owners, which is why we 

need to need to make sure our investments 

create opportunities that can be accessed by all 

businesses. 

Investing in minority owned businesses doesn’t 

just help entrepreneurs, it helps workers and 

creates more jobs for Americans. Our country 

has more than nine million minority-owned firms 

that employ eight million workers and contribute 

$1.7 trillion to the economy. They are crucial 

towards driving opportunity, jobs, and prosperity 

throughout America. 

To unlock the full potential of our economy, we 

also need to get more women into the workforce. 

Women account for more than half of the U.S. 

population, yet they make up less than 10 percent 

of jobs in the trades. These are good paying 

jobs with benefits that women can do and do 

well. That’s why I launched the Million Women in 

Construction initiative to double the number of 

women in the trades over the next decade. 

As we implement the CHIPS for America 

program, the Commerce Department also aims 

to ensure there are inclusive pathways to meet 

the industry’s need for suppliers and to connect 

small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, 

and veterans-owned businesses with mutually 

beneficial partnerships. We firmly believe that the 

semiconductor industry cannot succeed unless it 

is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible to 

all Americans. 

This Creating Inclusive Opportunities for 

Businesses Guide offers supplemental information 

to applicants as they respond to the February 

2023 CHIPS Incentives Program Notice of 

Funding Opportunity. 

In order to create a robust, vibrant, and diverse 

semiconductor ecosystem in America, we will 

make sure small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses 

have an opportunity to be a part of this 

unprecedented mission. 

Secretary Gina Raimondo 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

4 

1. VALUE OF SUPPLIER 

DIVERSITY IN THE 

SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY 

The CHIPS Program Office is committed to 

building strong communities that share in the 

prosperity of the semiconductor industry. This 

includes generating broad-based benefits for 

women, people of color, and other minorities 

that often face barriers to accessing economic 

opportunities.4 

The Department aims to ensure there are 

inclusive pathways to meet the industry’s need 

for suppliers and to connect small businesses, 

minority-owned, women-owned, and veteranowned businesses with mutually beneficial 

partnerships. The Department firmly believes 

that the semiconductor industry cannot succeed 

unless it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and 

accessible to all Americans.5 

A primary component of creating inclusive 

opportunities for businesses within the 

semiconductor industry is supplier diversity, 

which is a business strategy built on the 

inclusion of diverse-owned businesses in the 

procurement of goods and services within an 

organization.6 A diverse business is one that is at 

least 51% owned by an individual or group who 

belongs to a traditionally underserved group. 

Diverse suppliers are commonly categorized 

as minority businesses enterprises (MBEs) and 

woman’s business enterprises (WBEs), but 

this has expanded over time to other minority 

groups such as LGBTQ individuals, veterans, 

and proprietors with disabilities.7 Supplier 

diversity has considerable community impacts, 

contributing to job creation, community vitality, 

and economic empowerment.8 

Supplier diversity can also be utilized as a 

corporate growth strategy by promoting supply 

chain resiliency, driving innovation, and securing 

stakeholder satisfaction. Overall, companies with 

established supplier diversity programs have 

noted that most of their diverse suppliers are 

outperforming their non-diverse competitors, 

confirming their intrinsic value.9 

In addition, an inclusive procurement strategy 

expands the pool of potential suppliers in an 

already strained supplier base, which promotes 

competition, product quality, and lower costs. 

Partnering with small businesses, minorityowned, women-owned, and veteran-owned 

businesses also allow for an influx of new ideas 

and perspectives that are not present when 

companies seek partnerships exclusively with the 

same group of businesses. 

By understanding the current market, NOFO 

applicants bolster their ability to provide 

meaningful supplier diversity plans. Applicants 

may consider expanding their understanding of 

supplier diversity beyond traditional suppliers, 

considering how business opportunities can 

incorporate sub-suppliers, indirect suppliers, 

and service providers. Small, minority-owned, 

veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses 

can provide a range of services, as listed on the 

following page. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

5 

Examples of Services and Supplies that Can Be Procured 

Accounting and Site 

Planning Support 

• Accounting 

• Clerical 

• Legal 

Computing and Networking • Hosting Infrastructure • Telecommunications 

Construction Materials and 

Services 

• Security 

• Café Services 

• Furniture 

Employee Services • Local Lodging 

• Catering 

• On-Site or Off-Site Childcare 

• Transportation 

Factory Materials and 

Supplies 

• Chemicals 

• Fabrications 

• Gas 

• Clean-Room Flooring 

• Clean-Room Suits 

HR Services • Events 

• Temp Staffing 

• Relocation 

• Travel 

Environmental Services • Landscaping • Cleaning 

Logistics and Transportation • Warehousing 

• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) 

• Freight 

Maintenance • Equipment Maintenance • Building Maintenance 

Office Supplies and Services • Printing • Packaging 

Sales and Marketing • Advertising 

• Event Spaces 

• Market Research 

2. SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PLAN 

Best practices that may be employed in 

developing strategies for inclusive opportunities 

for small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and 

women-owned businesses are detailed below. 

As applicants develop their supplier diversity 

plan , they may consider how they can factor in 

business diversity principles. Business diversity 

can be considered as a step beyond supplier 

diversity, as it branches out from the traditional 

procurement cycle and the industrial economy 

toward professional services. Business diversity 

focuses on practical approaches that produce 

tangible results, including closing wealth and 

opportunity gaps.10 

2.1 IDENTIFY AND CATEGORIZE 

SUPPLIERS 

The Department encourages companies to fully 

expand their supplier base with a wide array of 

businesses, including small businesses, minorityowned, women-owned, and veteran-owned 

businesses. Definitions for these businesses are 

listed below: 

• Minority-Owned Business: A business where 

not less than 51 percent of the ownership or 

control of which is held, directly or indirectly, 

by one or more minority individuals; and not 

less than 51 percent of the net profit or loss 

of which accrues to one or more minority 

individuals. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

6 

GUIDANCE FROM THE NOFO: 

The CHIPS Incentives Program strives 

for the inclusion of minority-owned 

businesses, veteran-owned businesses, 

women-owned businesses, and small 

businesses as part of any funded 

project. Applicants should explain 

how they will address this priority, 

and strong applications will outline 

proactive efforts to include such 

businesses in a project’s construction 

and production supply chain, as well 

as robust outreach plans for engaging 

with minority-owned, veteran-owned, 

women-owned, and small businesses. 

• Veteran-Owned Business: A business where 

not less than 51 percent of which is owned 

by one or more veterans or, in the case of 

any publicly owned business, not less than 

51 percent of the stock of which is owned by 

one or more veterans and the management 

and daily business operations of which are 

controlled by one or more veterans. 

• Women-Owned Business: A business where 

not less than 51 percent of the ownership or 

control of which is held, directly or indirectly, 

by one or more women; and not less than 

51 percent of the net profit or loss of which 

accrues to one or more women. 

GUIDANCE FROM THE NOFO: 

The applicant may also describe 

broader commitments to diversity 

and inclusion, including diversity 

of its existing suppliers, as well as 

supplier diversity commitments made 

as part of state and local government 

incentives. 

Applicants might consider reviewing their 

current supply base to produce an analysis of 

its present state of supplier diversity. Applicants 

may consider joining certification organizations 

or industry groups, which can assist with matchmaking opportunities, supplier development, 

and access to communication platforms and 

databases. 

Applicants may also consider developing a 

baseline of their supplier spend and determine 

how much is addressable spend, which is the 

portion of overall spending that can be managed 

and improved through strategic sourcing and 

procurement decision-making (See Section A.3.1 

for additional details). 

Applicants are encouraged to seek out ways to 

secure reliable data on their existing supplier and 

new supplier base. This can be accomplished 

through third-party certification or an established 

self-certification process for suppliers. There 

are multiple types of business certifications that 

align with the standards for minority-owned, 

veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses, 

which are outlined below. Note that the eligibility 

criteria for the following types of businesses 

vary between federal agencies, states, and 

municipalities. 

Small Businesses 

Extending opportunities to small businesses is 

essential to increasing accessibility within the 

semiconductor industry. The Small Business 

Administration (SBA) sets size standards for 

businesses, which define the largest size a 

business can be to participate in government 

contracting programs and compete for contracts 

reserved or set aside for small businesses.11 Size 

standards vary by industry and are generally 

defined either in terms of the average number of 

employees over the past 24 months or average 

annual receipts over the past five years. Because 

all federal agencies use SBA’s size standards, it 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

7 

SELF-CERTIFICATION 

Applicants may consider setting up a 

process for existing suppliers and new 

suppliers to self-certify that not less than 

51 percent of the ownership or control 

is held, directly or indirectly, by one or 

more minority individuals, veterans, or 

women; and not less than 51 percent of 

the net profit or loss of which accrues 

to one or more minority individuals, 

veterans, or women. Applicants may 

consider having these self-certified 

businesses sign an affidavit affirming 

their minority-, veteran-, or womenowned status. 

is important for small businesses to determine 

their industry classification as according to the 

North American Industrial Classification System 

(NAICS) code so that they can be properly 

identified as “small” for their particular industry. 

Small business size regulations can be found in 

Title 13 Part 121 of the Electronic Code of Federal 

Regulations.12 

SBA defines a U.S. small business concern as one 

that is: 

• Organized for profit. 

• Has a place of business in the U.S. 

• Operates primarily within the U.S. or 

makes a significant contribution to the U.S. 

economy through payment of taxes or use 

of American products, materials, or labor. 

• Is independently owned and operated. 

• Is not dominant in its field on a national 

basis.13 

The business may be a sole proprietorship, 

partnership, corporation, or any other legal form. 

8(a) Program Participants, Small 

Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority 

Business Enterprises 

The 8(a) Business Development program is 

a nine-year SBA program intended to help 

firms owned and controlled by socially and 

economically disadvantaged individuals.14 8(a) 

certified businesses are eligible to receive federal 

contracting preferences through sole-source 

and competitive set-aside contracts as well as 

receive training and technical assistance.15 Small 

businesses owned by Alaska Native corporations, 

Community Development corporations, Indian 

tribes, and Native organizations are also eligible 

to participate in the program. 

Small businesses, including graduates of the 

8(a) program, can also self-certify as a Small 

Disadvantaged Business (SDB) in SAM.gov16 if 

they meet the following criteria: 

• The firm must be 51% or more owned and 

controlled by one or more disadvantaged 

persons. 

• The disadvantaged person or persons must 

be socially disadvantaged and economically 

disadvantaged. 

• The firm must be small, according to SBA’s 

size standards.17 

The Minority Business Development Agency 

(MBDA) serves minority business enterprises 

(MBEs) as defined in the Minority Business 

Development Act of 2021.18 In short, MBEs are 

businesses that are owned or controlled by one 

or more socially or economically disadvantaged 

individuals. There are no size requirements in the 

definition of an MBE under the Act. (See Section 

3.6 for more information on the MBDA).19 

There are also private certifications that can be 

leveraged. For example, the National Minority 

Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has its 

own certification for MBEs to help them connect 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

8 

with private sector buyers. NMSDC defines 

minority group members as U.S. citizens who are 

Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and 

Native American. MBEs are at least 51% owned 

by minority individuals or, in the case of publicly 

owned businesses, at least 51% of the stock are 

owned by one or more such individuals.20 

Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, 

and Veteran-Owned Businesses 

Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) can 

apply for certification by the SBA to compete for 

federal sole-source and set-aside contracts at the 

Department of Veterans Affairs under the Vets 

First program. To participate, a business must: 

• Have at least 51% veteran ownership. 

• Be registered as a small business with SAM. 

gov. 

• Be a small business according to SBA’s size 

standards.21 

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small 

Businesses (SDVOSBs) can also apply for 

certification by the SBA to make their business 

eligible to compete for sole-source and setaside contracts in the SDVOSB program, which 

is applicable government-wide. A ServiceDisabled Veteran is a person who served in the 

active military, naval, or air service, and who 

was discharged or released under conditions 

other than dishonorable, and whose disability 

was incurred or aggravated in line of duty in 

the active military, naval, or air service. The 

veteran must have an adjudication letter from 

the Veterans Administration (VA), a Department 

of Defense Form 214, Certificate of Release or 

Discharge from Active Duty, or a Statement of 

Service from the National Archives and Records 

There are also private certifications for veteranowned businesses (VOBs) in general. VOBs can 

be certified for private sector contracts through 

advocacy groups such as the National Veteran 

Business Development Council (NVBDC) and the 

National Veteran-Owned Business Association 

(NaVOBA). VOBs can also pursue certification by 

state and local governments for state and local 

contracts. 

Women-Owned Small Businesses and Women 

Business Enterprises 

Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) can 

be certified by the SBA to participate in the 

WOSB program. To participate, a business must: 

• Be a small business according to SBA size 

standards. 

• Be at least 51% owned and controlled by 

women who are U.S. citizens. 

• Have women manage day-to-day operations 

who also make long-term decisions. 

Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned 

Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) can also be 

certified by the SBA to participate in the 

EDWOSB program. To qualify, a business must: 

• Meet all the requirements of the WOSB 

Federal Contract program. 

• Be owned and controlled by one or more 

women, each with a personal net worth less 

than $850,000. 

• Be owned and controlled by one or more 

women, each with $450,000 or less in 

adjusted gross income averaged over the 

previous three years. 

• Be owned and controlled by one or more 

women, each $6.5 million or less in personal 

assets.23 

Administration, stating that the veteran has a The SBA offers formal certification for the 

service-connected disability.22 WOSB program, and the SBA also approves 

organizations to provide third-party certification 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

9 

(TPC) for WOSBs. An up-to-date list can be 

found on the SBA’s Women-Owned Small 

Business Federal Contract program webpage. 

Currently, there are four organizations approved 

by SBA to provide TPC for WOSBs: El Paso 

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National 

Women Business Owners Corporation, U.S. 

Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the 

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council 

(WBENC).24 

There are also private certifications for womenowned businesses in general. Women Business 

Enterprises (WBEs) can be certified for private 

sector contracts and some state and local 

government contracts through the WBENC, 

which validates that a business is at least 51% 

owned, controlled, operated, and managed by 

a woman or women.25 Some state and local 

agencies offer their own certification processes 

for WBEs for state and local contacts. 

Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, 

and Native Hawaiian Organizations 

An Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, 

group, pueblo, or community, including 

native villages and native groups (including 

corporations organized by Kenai, Juneau, Sitka, 

and Kodiak) as defined in the Alaska Native 

Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), 

that is recognized by the Federal Government 

as eligible for services from the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 1452(c). This 

definition also includes Indian-owned economic 

enterprises that meet the requirements of 25 

U.S.C. 1452(e). 

An Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) refers to 

any Regional Corporation, Village Corporation, 

Urban Corporation, or Group Corporation 

organized under the laws of the State of Alaska 

in accordance with the Alaska Native Claims 

Settlement Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1601, 

et seq.) and what is considered a minority and 

economically disadvantaged concern under the 

criteria at 43 U.S.C. 1262(e)(1). This definition 

also includes ANC direct and indirect subsidiary 

corporations, joint ventures, and partnerships 

that meet the requirements of 43 U.S.C. 1626(e) 

(2). 13 CFR 124.109 outlines the initial eligibility 

requirements for ANCs and Tribes. Both ANCs 

and Indian tribes are eligible for the 8(a) program. 

A Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) is any 

community service organization serving Native 

Hawaiians in the State of Hawaii which 1) is a 

nonprofit corporation that has filed articles of 

incorporation with the director (or the designee 

thereof) of the Hawaii Department of Commerce 

and Consumer Affairs, or any successor agency, 

2) is controlled by Native Hawaiians, and 

3) whose business activities will principally 

benefit such Native Hawaiians.26 Economically 

disadvantaged NHOs as well as companies 

owned by such NHOs can apply for the 8(a) 

program. 

The Department of the Interior’s Office of Native 

Hawaiian Relations maintains a list of NHOs 

that applicants may find helpful.27 Applicants 

may also contact the Office of Native Hawaiian 

Relations to obtain an Excel version of the Native 

Hawaiian Organization Notification List. 

Historically Underutilized Business Zones and 

Opportunity Zones 

Applicants may be inclined to include businesses 

located in Historically Underutilized Business 

Zones (HUBZones) and Opportunity Zones in 

their supplier diversity plan. The Department 

does not consider such businesses as “diverse” 

or “disadvantaged” simply for being in a 

HUBZone or Opportunity Zone. 

A map of the HUBZones can be found on SBA’s 

website.28 To qualify for the HUBZone program, a 

business must: 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

10 

• Be a small business according to SBA size 

standards. 

• Be at least 51% owned and controlled by 

U.S. citizens, a Community Development 

corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an 

ANC, an NHO, or an Indian tribe. 

• Have its principal office located in a 

HUBZone. 

• Have at least 35% of its employees living in a 

HUBZone.29 

Opportunity Zones are an economic 

development tool that allows people to invest 

in distressed areas in the United States in order 

to spur economic growth and job creation in 

low-income communities while providing tax 

benefits to investors.30 Qualified Opportunity 

Zone locations are defined by population census 

tracts, and a map of Qualified Opportunity Zones 

can be found on the Department of Housing and 

Urban Development (HUD)’s website.31 

2.2 ESTABLISH PROGRAM TARGETS 

After assessing its current state of supplier 

diversity, applicants may consider issuing a 

policy statement with measurable targets (e.g., 

$X in small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, 

or women-owned supplier spend by 2030). 

There are various ways applicants can set their 

program targets: spend terms (e.g., increasing 

diverse spend from $X to $X or reaching a $X 

spending target within a set number of years), 

supplier count goals (e.g., doubling within X 

years), or an overarching one (e.g., every product 

category will include representation from a small, 

minority-owned, veteran-owned, and womenowned business, and every formal RFP will 

include a small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, 

and women-owned business). Applicants should 

consider determining whether their program will 

include tier 1 and/or tier 2 suppliers (or additional 

supply chain layers).32 

TIER 1 AND TIER 2 SUPPLIERS 

Applicants should determine whether 

their program will include tier 1 (direct 

suppliers) and/or tier 2 suppliers 

(sub-suppliers). 

Some companies have found success by ensuring 

that this policy statement – and by extension, 

the supplier diversity program as a whole – is 

endorsed top-down, with strong executive 

support and buy-in. Applicants may consider 

making the policy statement public and visible 

on platforms (e.g., company website) to establish 

their commitment to supplier diversity and 

alert small businesses, minority-owned, womenowned, and veteran-owned businesses. 

Track and Report Supplier Diversity Data 

As applicants create systems to track and 

disclose data on supplier diversity, they may 

consider developing a database or tracking 

system. A best practice is to ensure the system 

can record data over time, certifications, spend 

and other items. Additionally, to support the 

disclosure of data, the system should have 

reporting or querying capabilities. Applicants are 

encouraged to capture the following metrics, as 

applicable: 

Tier 1 Diverse Spend: The most common metric 

for supplier diversity and what the CHIPS 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

11 

GUIDANCE FROM THE NOFO: 

The applicant should also describe how it will track and disclose data on supplier 

diversity that is demographically disaggregated (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, 

veteran status), including statistics on what share of suppliers are majority-owned 

by different groups. As part of this component, the applicant should describe other 

proactive commitments to supplier diversity as described in Section I.C.6 and how it 

will work with contractors to collect the necessary data. 

Program Office recommends tracking is diverse 

spend, which measures the procurements made 

solely with small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses; 

and enhanced data that is disaggregated by 

race and ethnicity (e.g., spend with a firm that 

is Native American-owned). This metric is often 

expressed in a dollar amount, or a percentage of 

total procurement spend. 

Tier 2 Diverse Spend: Applicants should consider 

whether they would want to expand beyond 

measuring their tier 1 spend, and request tier 1 

suppliers to report their diverse spend (tier 2). If 

applicants wish to track diverse spend beyond 

tier 1 suppliers, applicants should consider 

starting off with a subset of their tier 1 suppliers. 

Supplier Count: Applicants can consider tracking 

the number of suppliers they have registered in 

their procurement or accounts payable systems, 

including the share of these suppliers that are 

small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and 

women-owned businesses; and enhanced data 

that is disaggregated by race and ethnicity (e.g., 

share of total suppliers that are Native Americanowned). 

Financial ROI: Applicants may also consider 

tracking their financial ROI from their supplier 

diversity program. Metrics include revenue from 

customers with diverse spend requirements, 

economic impact, dollars saved by using less 

costly small businesses, minority-owned, womenowned, and veteran-owned businesses, and 

grants received related to having a successful 

diversity program. 

The supplier survey collects the following 

information, and scores (green-yellowred scale) indicate how healthy the 

supplier feels about their relationship 

with the company: 

• Likelihood of using the company’s 

supplier diversity team as an advocate. 

• Number of RFQs they have received from 

the company’s buyers. 

• Supplier’s sales forecast based on current 

contracts and trends in contract pipeline 

with company. 

• Last date they had business alignment 

meeting with buyer at company. 

The internal survey for commodity 

managers collects the following 

information and provides insight into the 

health of the supplier diversity program 

as a whole: 

• Likelihood of including new and identified 

diverse suppliers on bid list. 

• Timeline for including new and identified 

diverse suppliers on upcoming bids. 

• Likelihood of establishing growth plan for 

identified diverse plans. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

12 

Workforce Metrics: Applicants could track the 

suppliers’ workforce metrics, including job 

creation, hiring and promotion to quantify the 

broader impact of their supplier diversity program. 

Community Impact: Applicants might also 

consider measuring the value of supplier 

diversity more broadly in value to local 

communities. Partnering with a small, minorityowned, veteran-owned, or women-owned 

business could in turn grow local employment 

and wages in disadvantaged communities, 

building generational wealth and local capital. 

Qualitative Metrics: Applicants can also consider 

collecting qualitative metrics, such as the quality 

of a company’s relationship with their small 

businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, 

and veteran-owned businesses. For example, 

one company surveyed in MIT CTL’s 2021 

Supply Chain Exchange Roundtable report 

described using a survey tool, modeled on the 

Net Promoter Score (NPS) concept of assessing 

customers’ perceptions of companies, that 

they disseminate to both suppliers and the 

company’s commodity managers. Their survey 

tool asks suppliers how likely they are to utilize 

the company’s supplier diversity team as their 

advocate, while asking the commodity managers 

how likely they are to include new suppliers on 

their bid list. 

Progression of Program: Applicants can track 

the progression of the supplier diversity program 

itself. Organizations such as the Billion Dollar 

Roundtable and NMSDC use the RGMA Five 

LevelsTM of Supplier Diversity for benchmarking 

corporate supplier diversity programs.33 As 

applicants develop their supplier diversity 

program, they could gauge which level their 

current state of supplier diversity falls under and 

set program targets accordingly. 

2.3 FACILITATE OUTREACH WITH 

SMALL, MINORITY-OWNED, VETERANOWNED, AND WOMEN-OWNED 

BUSINESSES 

Strong applicants will develop plans that 

proactively engage with small businesses, 

minority-owned, women-owned, and veteranowned businesses. The current state of supplier 

diversity often places the burden on small 

RGMA FIVE LEVELSTM 

RGMA developed five levels of supplier diversity as a standard for benchmarking corporate supplier 

diversity programs, ranging from an early-stage supplier diversity program to a world-class supplier 

diversity strategy. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

13 

businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, 

and veteran-owned businesses to navigate the 

various stakeholders — companies, development 

and certification agencies, capital resources, and 

government — in the system. This results in a lack 

of visibility and access for these businesses, as 

well as unnecessary expenses for both suppliers 

and buying corporations. Applicants should 

also consider that some suppliers may also be 

hesitant to divulge their minority status out of 

fear of being undervalued. 

2.3.1 Create a Robust Outreach Plan 

Applicants should ensure that small, minorityowned, veteran-owned, and women-owned 

businesses are solicited for construction and 

production supply chain opportunities and 

place them on solicitation lists. Applicants may 

consider establishing their commitment to 

supplier diversity by participating in regional 

and national supplier diversity events and 

coordinating regular benchmarking with other 

companies to meet and establish best practice 

standards. This will communicate to small 

businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and 

veteran-owned businesses that the applicant 

is actively incorporating supplier diversity 

into its corporate growth strategy and rid any 

misconceptions that their minority status will 

hinder their prospective value. 

2.3.2 Engage with Community Partners 

Applicants may consider engaging with 

stakeholders and forming and leveraging 

partnerships with the following to reach small, 

minority-owned, veteran-owned, and womenowned businesses. 

Chambers of Commerce 

Applicants may consider connecting with 

local and minority Chambers of Commerce 

for locating small, minority-owned, veteranGUIDANCE FROM THE NOFO: 

Strong applications will include 

concrete goals for measuring 

performance of outreach plans. To 

the extent that the applicant relies on 

contractors, the Department expects 

the applicant to work with those 

contractors to implement supplier 

diversity efforts and to collect data 

on program performance. 

owned, and women-owned businesses. 

Various local Chambers of Commerce, such 

as the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of 

Commerce, have supplier diversity programs 

with directories of Chamber Members that are 

certified as diverse businesses or self-certified 

as diverse businesses. Minority Chambers of 

Commerce, which often serve as certifying 

bodies for small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, 

have vast networks of numerous small 

businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, 

and veteran-owned businesses and can act as a 

conduit to supply applicants with the necessary 

workforce and suppliers. 

Economic Development Agencies 

Applicants can also connect with state economic 

development agencies (EDAs), which are 

tasked with supporting existing businesses and 

entrepreneurs, recruiting new businesses, and 

coordinating their local government’s economic 

development activities with other local economic 

development corporations. Many EDAs, such 

as the California Governor’s Office of Business 

and Economic Development,34 have launched 

public-private partnerships to encourage 

supplier diversity pledges among companies 

and share knowledge and best practices with 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

14 

small businesses to expand their opportunities. 

Applicants should consider connecting with 

these agencies to augment their connections 

with the community, as well as their supplier 

diversity programs as a whole. 

Minority Depository Institutions 

Applicants can also consider connecting with 

minority depository institutions35 (MDIs) in 

their community partnership strategy. An MDI 

is any federally insured depository institution 

for which either 1) 51% or more of the voting 

stock is owned by minority individuals or 2) a 

majority of the board of directors is minority 

and the community that the institution serves is 

predominantly minority.36 A “minority” as defined 

by Section 308 of the Financial Institutions 

Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 

(FIRREA) refers to any person who is Black 

American, Asian American, Hispanic American, 

or Native American.37 More specifically, MDIs are 

community-based banks or credit unions with 

minority representation that provide financial 

services such as loans, mortgages, and banking 

services, and overall support economic growth 

within underserved communities. Along with 

Community Development Financial Institutions 

(CFDIs), they are also described as “mission 

driven banks.” 

Due to their deep community relationships 

and an overarching goal of driving economic 

successes for underserved populations, MDIs 

can be a vital partner for applicants seeking to 

locate minority-owned suppliers. FDIC found 

that compared to other financial institutions, 

MDIs originate a greater share of mortgages and 

Small Business Administration loans to borrowers 

who are minorities and live in low-to-moderate 

income (LMI) census tracts. The FDIC has 

released a resource guide for collaborating with 

MDIs that applicants may find helpful.38 

2.3.3 Forecast Future Needs 

Semiconductor companies should be transparent 

about their upcoming needs from suppliers. 

This will help small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses 

preemptively gauge whether they are a right fit 

for that opportunity. 

2.4 INSTITUTE SUPPORTIVE 

CORPORATE PRACTICES 

Applicants may consider devising a supplier 

diversity program that treats industry-supplier 

partnerships as active relationships as opposed 

to exclusively transactional ones. 

GUIDANCE FROM THE NOFO: 

The applicant should describe how it 

will coordinate with small, minorityowned, veteran-owned, and womenowned businesses, as well as describe 

their supplier diversity programs 

and/or office and any internal staff 

dedicated to overseeing outreach to 

such businesses. 

2.4.1 Integrate Inclusive Sourcing and 

Procurement within Standard Operations 

Applicants can consider integrating inclusive 

sourcing and procurement processes within 

their standard operating procedures to avoid 

downsizing the impact of their supplier diversity 

program. Applicants may also consider requiring 

commodity management teams to consider 

and include small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses in 

RFPs or measuring tier 1 suppliers based on tier 

2 reporting of spending with small businesses, 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

15 

minority-owned, women-owned, and veteranowned businesses. This encourages inclusive 

and equitable opportunities for small businesses, 

minority-owned, women-owned, and veteranowned businesses throughout the supply chain. 

Assign Dedicated Staff 

Applicants may identify or hire employees 

responsible to develop and manage the supplier 

diversity program (e.g., Manager of Supplier 

Diversity and Inclusion within procurement). 

Applicants may consider whether they will house 

their supplier diversity program as a C-level 

function or under a functional group, which 

could be front-office (e.g., sales and marketing) 

or back-office (e.g., procurement). Regardless of 

where the program is placed, supplier diversity 

professionals are typically responsible for 

working with business units or purchasing groups 

to fulfill supplier diversity priorities. They also 

work with purchasing and procurement teams to 

propose new small businesses, minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses 

to category owners and hold business units or 

commodity managers accountable for meeting 

supplier diversity goals.39 

Amend Delivery Schedules to Support Diverse 

Participation 

Applicants can consider establishing delivery 

schedules for subcontractors that encourage 

participation by small, minority-owned, veteranowned, and women-owned businesses. 

Divide Total Supplier Requirements into Smaller 

Tasks 

Applicants may consider dividing total 

requirements, when economically feasible, into 

smaller tasks or quantities to expand access to 

participation by minority-owned, veteran-owned, 

women-owned, and small businesses. 

2.4.2 Mentorship, Training, and Support 

Once suppliers are on board, supplier diversity 

programs can help suppliers grow to further 

contribute to the company’s operational 

excellence, such as outlining areas of 

improvement and adjustments to improve cost 

and efficiency. As such, applicants may consider 

incorporating mentorship and training processes 

within their supplier diversity program. See 

Section A.2.1 for additional details. 

Payment Terms 

Many small businesses, minority-owned, womenowned, and veteran-owned businesses are 

dealing with reduced capital compared to their 

counterparts, so applicants should consider 

implementing reduced payment periods 

(e.g., net-15/30/45 payment periods) or quick 

payment resolution mechanisms if payments 

to subcontractors are not rendered on a timely 

manner. 

Organizational Ombuds Processes 

Applicants may consider implementing an 

organizational ombuds for dispute resolution 

processes. Applicants should keep in mind that 

small businesses, minority-owned, womenowned, and veteran-owned businesses often 

have less capital and smaller social networks. 

When conflicts arise small businesses, minorityowned, women-owned, and veteran-owned 

businesses may therefore hesitate to come 

forward for fear of jeopardizing their business 

partnership. An ombuds serves as a designated 

neutral, confidential, and independent party 

and provides options for employees, managers, 

and business partners to deal with concerns 

and complaints. An ombuds must have some 

independence from the company, so they 

generally report directly to the CEO and 

Board and operate by recognized professional 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

16 

standards and a code of ethics set by the 

International Ombudsman Association (See 

Section A.3.3 for resources on implementing an 

organizational ombuds or ombuds office). 

Corporations such as American Express 

Company and Coca Cola have ombuds along 

with their formal channels, citing a need for an 

informal but “active” approach to addressing 

individual concerns while retaining company 

interests. Ombuds have been credited 

with avoiding harmful litigation, improving 

productivity, and protecting against sexual 

harassment or discrimination claims.40 

3. SUBMITTING A

SUCCESSFUL SUPPLIER

DIVERSITY PLAN

The Department recognizes that the 

development and implementation of supplier 

diversity plans are ambitious, long-term 

efforts that will support the success of the 

CHIPS Incentives Program. Guidance for the 

Full Application submission is included in this 

section; there is no Broader Impacts component 

for the Statement of Interest submission or 

the Pre-Application. This section also includes 

recommendations on how applicants can further 

the development of the inclusive opportunities 

for businesses over time. 

The supplier diversity plan should demonstrate 

appropriate investments and commitments 

to creating inclusive opportunities for small 

businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and 

veteran-owned businesses. Because meeting 

supplier diversity needs will require ongoing 

collaboration and coordination across the 

sector, the Department expects to engage with 

recipients to support supplier diversity efforts 

after awards are made. 

3.1 SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PLAN 

GUIDING QUESTIONS 

The following sets of questions are intended to 

help applicants articulate their supplier diversity 

plan in the final application submission while 

meeting the guidelines outlined in the June 

2023 NOFO. Applicants are not required to 

submit answers to all these questions. Rather, the 

questions should be used as a guide. 

• Have you defined a baseline of spend and

addressable spend that captures your

company’s relationship with diverse vendors

to date?

• Have you reviewed your contracting policies

for onboarding suppliers?

• Have you identified the certification bodies

you will partner with? Or have a plan to

accept self-certification?

• Have you updated your outreach platforms

(e.g., website) about your supplier needs? Is

there a clearly outlined process for potential

suppliers to register?

• Have you identified a data management

system to track your suppliers? Have you

identified a team that will manage this

system?

• Have you set specific, measurable,

achievable, relevant, time-bound goals?

• Have you identified community partners

to support outreach to small, minorityowned, veteran-owned, and women-owned

businesses?
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

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3.2 FINAL SUBMISSION AND 

EVALUATION 

A potential applicant must submit a full 

application to be officially considered for a CHIPS 

Incentive Award. The full application will contain 

extensive, detailed information on the proposed 

project(s). 

The Department recognizes that developing and 

implementing a supplier diversity plan takes time 

and is dependent on other unrelated factors. 

The Department expects applicants to submit 

complete supplier diversity plans at the time of 

full application to the extent possible with the 

understanding that the plans may evolve and 

change over time. 

As detailed in the NOFO, each applicant must 

provide an overview of the broader impacts of 

the proposed project(s), covering each identified 

topic, including inclusive business opportunities. 

This section should be no longer than 30 pages, 

excluding any attachments. 

The merit review process will assess the 

strengths and weaknesses of projects’ supplier 

diversity plans within the broader impacts 

section. The assessment of this criterion will 

consider the 1) Quality and comprehensiveness 

of the applicant’s strategy for engaging with 

small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and 

women-owned businesses as strategic partners, 

suppliers, or contractors or subcontractors, 

and 2) commitment to tracking and disclosing 

disaggregated data on supplier diversity and 

contractor/subcontractor diversity. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

18 

APPENDIX 

A.1 ACRONYMS 

ANC Alaska Native Corporation 

DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprise 

DEIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility 

DOC U.S. Department of Commerce 

DoD U.S. Department of Defense 

DOE U.S. Department of Energy 

FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

FIRREA Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act 

HUBZone Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program 

MBDA Minority Business Development Administration 

MBE Minority Business Enterprise 

MDI Minority Depository Institution 

MEP Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

NHO Native Hawaiian Organization 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity 

OCC Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 

R&D Research and Development 

SBA U.S. Small Business Administration 

SDVOSB Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business 

VOB Veteran-Owned Business 

VOSB Veteran-Owned Small Business 

A.2 DEFINITIONS 

• Economically Disadvantaged Individuals: Individuals whose ability or opportunity to compete in 

the economy has been impaired due to an individual’s (1) membership in a group that has been 

subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society; (2) gender; (3) 

veteran status; (4) limited English proficiency; (5) disability status; (6) long-term residence in an 

environment isolated from the mainstream of American society; (7) membership in a Federally 

or state-recognized Indian Tribe; (8) long-term residence in a rural community; (9) residence 

in a U.S. territory; (10) residence in a community undergoing economic transitions (including 

communities impacted by the shift toward a net-zero economy or deindustrialization); (11) 

individuals without a college degree; or (12) membership in another “underserved community,” 

as defined in Executive Order 13985. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

19 

• Minority-Owned Business: A business where not less than 51 percent of the ownership or control 

of which is held, directly or indirectly, by one or more minority individuals; and not less than 51 

percent of the net profit or loss of which accrues to one or more minority individuals. 

• Veteran-Owned Business: A business where not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one 

or more veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of 

the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans and the management and daily business 

operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans. 

• Women-Owned Business: A business where not less than 51 percent of the ownership or control 

of which is held, directly or indirectly, by one or more women; and not less than 51 percent of the 

net profit or loss of which accrues to one or more women. 

A.3 INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC RESOURCES 

The following lists of industry-specific resources is not complete and is not an endorsement of any 

organization. 

A.3.1 Supplier Diversity Programs in Action 

While not all supplier diversity programs are alike and should be tailored to meet specific business 

needs, company culture, and local regulations, applicants can explore how other companies have 

developed their supplier diversity programs. Listed below are examples of company supplier diversity 

programs identified by third parties for their commitment to global inclusive sourcing from diverse 

groups.41 Applicants may find these examples helpful as they design their own supplier diversity 

programs. 

Any reference to a non-federal organization or corporation does not convey endorsement or approval 

by the Department of Commerce of the entity or their programs or resources. All examples provided 

are for illustrative, non-exhaustive purposes only. The Department of Commerce does not guarantee 

the accuracy or completeness of the information contained therein. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

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ACCENTURE: GLOBAL SUPPLIER INCLUSION & SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM 

Company Focus Accenture is a professional services company that specializes in IT services and 

consulting. 

Program Scope • The Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Program reaches 21 countries. 

• Accenture categorizes minority, ethnic, and women-owned businesses; 

small and medium enterprises (SME); LGBTQ+ community; persons with 

disabilities; veterans; and businesses located in HUBZones as “diverse 

suppliers.” 

• Accenture partners with national and local nonprofit supplier diversity 

membership organizations (e.g. NMSDC and WBENC) and holds board 

seats and corporate membership positions within them. 

• Accenture co-founded WEConnect International, which connects womenowned businesses to buyers internationally. 

Supplier • Accenture’s supplier registration portal is hosted by Gainfront, an Artificial 

Registration Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) eProcurement Software as a 

Process service (SaaS) platform. 

• Accenture is currently developing a global Sustainable Procurement Hub 

with data sharing and blockchain to assess suppliers’ ESG performance. 

Mentorship and • Accenture offers a Diverse Supplier Development Program (DSDP), which 

Training runs for 18 months and matches Accenture executive mentors with diverse 

supplier “protege” companies to help them grow their business. So far, 217 

small, medium, and diverse suppliers were developed through their Diverse 

Supplier Development Program (DSDP). 

• Accenture also developed the Small & Medium Enterprise Digital Ecosystem 

platform (SME-DE) to facilitate interactions between SMEs and Accenture. 

SME-DE provides an automated application selection process, business 

assessment for targeted development, business tools, and commercial 

opportunities.42 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

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ADIENT’S SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM 

Company Focus Adient is a company that manufactures automotive seating. 

Program Scope • Adient’s supplier diversity program was launched in 1993, and their website 

cites a track record of exceeding $1 billion in diverse spending annually.43 

• Adient’s statement of commitment to global supplier diversity and business 

development is posted on their website and signed by their president and 

CEO.44 

• Adient defines a ”diverse business” as 1) a for-profit business that has 

been certified by one of their preferred certifying partners and is at least 

51% owned, operated, and controlled by a diverse person or group or 2) a 

small business that conforms to guidelines established by the SBA or 3) a 

historically underutilized business based on local county definitions.45 

Supplier • Adient’s supplier registration portal is hosted by Gainfront, an AI/ML 

Registration eProcurement SaaS platform. 

Process • Adient’s supplier expectations webpage includes their Global Supplier 

Standards Manual and Adient Web Guides for quality, supply chain 

management, and tooling by region.46 

• Adient’s supplier communications webpage includes news releases from 

Adient’s procurement team as well as invoicing instructions and contacts 

as well as information on the supplier Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS) 

(self-billing) process.47 

• Adient also has a confidential Ethics Helpline available to anyone at all 

hours to raise questions and offer information for possible Ethics Policy 

violations.48 To maintain their supply chain risk management, Adient 

production and service parts suppliers are also required to update their 

financial information through their online financial assessment, Third Party 

Intelligence (3PI), quarterly.49 

• Adient suppliers that provide direct material production parts and/or 

assembles must also comply with the International Material Data System 

(IMDS), which is a database established by automotive original equipment 

manufacturers (OEMs) to track and record chemical ingredients of parts 

and assemblies across the automotive supply chain. 

• Adient suppliers use Taulia to have online access to electronic 

communications, invoicing, PO and payment remittance details.50 

Mentorship and • Adient suppliers can request their current performance rating from their 

Training local Buyer or Supplier Quality contact. 

• Adient has training opportunities taught by an external consulting 

company, JMC, that assists suppliers with automotive industry-specific 

knowledge and skillsets revolving around 8D documentation and scoring.51 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

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JOHNSON & JOHNSON’S GLOBAL SUPPLIER DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 

Company Focus Johnson and Johnson (J&J) is a multinational corporation that develops medical 

devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. 

Program Scope • J&J’s Global Supplier Diversity & Inclusion program was founded in 1998 

and has been endorsed from their C-suite, such as their Chairman and CEO 

and their Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations & Risk 

Officer.52 

• Supplier diversity is reflected in their Health for Humanity 2025 Goals, and 

their annual Scorecard provides updates on the progress. J&J is a member 

of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, which is a group of companies that 

discusses best practices for supplier diversity and spends at least $1 billion 

annually with diverse suppliers. 

Supplier • J&J’s supplier registration portal is hosted by CVM Solutions, a free diverse 

Registration supplier management platform.53 The company publicly reports the number 

Process of global suppliers, total supplier spend, supplier spend contracted by 

region, and supplier spend contracted by business segment. 

• J&J also links their Responsibility Standards for Suppliers, which they 

cite as integral to their supplier-selection process. The Standards were 

updated in 2022 to include DEI, information security, and environmental 

responsibility, and J&J provided training and engagement to communicate 

them to current suppliers.54 

Mentorship and • J&J sponsored the NMSDC’s Certificate of Excellence program, where 

Training NMSDC-certified WBEs and MBEs are matched with corporate leaders and 

mentors and attend instructional seminars from Rutgers Business School, 

J&J subject matter experts, and industry partners.55 

• J&J’s Supplier Quality Academy is a platform focused on providing 

functional training to suppliers, external manufacturers, distributors, and 

supplier-facing internal Johnson & Johnson employees.56 For example, 

the Onward Sustainability Program is a series of 1-hour webinar sessions 

for partners enrolled in their Supplier Sustainability Program for best 

practices in measuring and reporting GHG emissions, starting their own 

supplier diversity program, and establishing health and safety policies for 

employees.57 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

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MERCK & CO., INC.’S SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM 

Company Focus Merck is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and produces medicines, 

vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. 

Program Scope Merck’s supplier diversity program procures products and services from 

certified small, minority, women, veteran, veteran disabled, service disabled, 

LGBT, and disability-owned business enterprises.58 

Supplier • Merck’s supplier registration portal is hosted by Gainfront, an AI/ML 

Registration eProcurement SAAS platform. 

Process • Merck lists what product service areas they buy (e.g., capital procurement, 

direct materials, energy, professional services, site and commercial services, 

IT procurement, global marketing services, and research procurement) to 

notify possible suppliers of their needs. 

• Merck also links a document outlining supplier performance expectations 

for Merck affiliates.59 

Mentorship and • Merck states that they offer sustainability planning, mentoring, a secondTraining tier program, and scholarships and other educational opportunities for 

suppliers. 

• In 2020, Merck hosted a Virtual Global Business Exchange Opportunity Fair, 

where representatives from various diversity councils were available to talk 

with suppliers who could qualify for dual certification. 

• Merck also hosts a monthly webinar series for diverse suppliers that 

helps suppliers develop their pitches, set themselves apart from their 

competitors, and advance in the industry.60 

• In terms of outreach efforts, Merck hosted the 2022 Billion Dollar 

Roundtable Summit, which is an annual event that brings together 

companies with an annual diverse supplier spend of at least $1 billion.61 

A.3.2 Government Resources and Partners 

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is an agency in the United States Department 

of Commerce that promotes the growth and competitiveness of the United States’ minority business 

enterprises, including Hispanic and Latino American, Asian Pacific American, African American, and 

Native American businesses. MBDA funds a national network of MBDA Business Centers, Specialty 

Centers, and other technical assistance programs. Their programs offer customized business 

development and industry-focused services to provide greater opportunities to access capital, 

contracts, and markets.62 Applicants should consider connecting with these Business Centers and 

Specialty Centers, as these centers have wide networks of small businesses, minority-owned, and 

women-owned businesses as well as knowledge on how to connect with such businesses. Applicants 

may find the MBDA’s Advanced Manufacturing Centers — which provide targeted assistance 

to minority manufacturers and help identify, promote, and refer MBEs to specialized advanced 

manufacturing programs — particularly helpful. 
Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Businesses Guide

24 

Business Centers 

Minority-owned firms seeking to expand into new markets — domestic & global — and grow and 

scale, can access business experts at a MBDA Business Center. Business Centers assist firms with 

securing capital, competing for a contract, identifying a strategic partner, and becoming export 

ready. The Centers are in areas with the largest concentration of minority populations and the largest 

number of minority businesses.63 

Specialty Centers 

Specialty Centers provide industry-focused services to minority business enterprises. The types of 

specialty centers are listed below. 

• Advanced Manufacturing Centers: Provides targeted assistance for manufacturers that aim to 

employ new technologies to increase the number of “Made in America” products that can be 

sold domestically and globally. 

• Export Centers: Provides business development services to generate increased financing and 

contract opportunities, and greater access to global markets. 

• Federal Procurement Center: The only MBDA Center solely focused on federal contracting; 

connecting MBEs to procurement officials and prime contractors.64 

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business 

owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency 

fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as 

the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for America’s 33.5+ million small businesses. The SBA 

also certifies small businesses, WOSBs, VOSBs, and SDVOSBs (See Section 2.1, 2.3, 2.4). The SBA 

empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources, services and support 

they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. Through 

an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, 

the SBA delivers a robust ecosystem to meet entrepreneurs where they are. SBA’s resource 

partners network will serve as an additional resource for small businesses to learn more about the 

implementation of plans for CHIPS funding. 

Small Business Development Centers 

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across the country provide face-to-face small business 

consulting and training services for entrepreneurs. With 63 lead centers and over 900 service centers 

across the country, SBDCs can provide targeted entrepreneurial services from ideation to scaling for 

a small business owner. 

SCORE 

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping 

small businesses plan, launch, manage and grow. SCORE is a nonprofit organization that is driven to 

foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and educational workshops. 
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Women Business Centers 

Women Business Centers (WBCs) provides specialized resources and training to help women 

succeed in the business world. Over 145 women business centers support many women 

entrepreneurs, providing counseling, training, and access to capital services to women small business 

owners many who are from minority and rural communities. 

Veteran Business Outreach Centers 

Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) provides specialized resources and training to help 

veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs start or grow a small business. Twenty-eight veteran 

business outreach centers across the United States serve as a critical hub for business planning, 

access to capital, marketing, outreach, and more to transitioning service members, veterans, National 

Guard and Reserve members, as well as military spouses. 

Office of Native American Affairs 

The SBA provides funding for 7 entrepreneur-serving organizations that deliver specialized resources 

and training to help Native American entrepreneurs start or grow a small business. These partners 

meet American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian small businesses where they are located, 

whether that be in urban, rural, or reservation locations across the country. Additionally, in FY2024, 

the SBA is launching a Tribal College Small Business Achievement (TCSBA) pilot to fund four Tribal 

Colleges and Universities to provide free training and technical assistance to Native American 

entrepreneurs in their communities. 

NIST HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP 

The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is based at the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST). The national Program Office (NIST MEP) provides the federal 

government funding for the MEP National NetworkTM. The MEP National Network comprises the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), 

the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center 

boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,450 advisors and experts 

at approximately 430 MEP service locations, providing U.S. manufacturers with access to resources. 

MEP is a public-private partnership, designed from inception as a cost-share program. Federal 

appropriations pay one-half, with the balance for each Center funded by state / local governments 

and/or private entities, plus client fees. 

MEPNN’s partners, which may serve as valuable resources for applicants seeking to broaden their 

networks, are listed below: 

• State and local governments. 

• Other Federal government agencies, departments, programs, and laboratories. 

• Universities, community colleges and technical schools. 

• Trade associations. 

• Professional societies. 
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• Industry leaders and think tanks. 

• Economic development organizations. 

• Private sector; including consulting firms as well as the manufacturers across the nation. 

Supplier Scouting 

The MEPNN’s supplier scouting service can be applied on a national, regional, or local scale. By 

leveraging its relationships and knowledge of U.S. manufacturing capabilities, MEPNN identify 

manufacturers with production and technical capabilities and connect them with larger and more 

diverse supply chains of larger companies and government agencies.65 Additionally, they identify 

and connect suppliers with purchasers, responding to the specific needs of agencies to meet Build 

America, Buy America requirements.66 

Below are the basic steps of the MEPNN supplier scouting process: 

• Government agencies with supply chain needs can use the MEPNN Supplier Scouting service 

by completing a Supplier Scouting Opportunity Synopsis form.67 Companies with supply chain 

needs should contact their local MEP Center. The MEPNN maintains a list of current open 

opportunities.68 

• NIST MEP disseminates the information to MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico to 

conduct a nationwide search for U.S. manufacturers with the capabilities and business interests 

to supply the needed item. 

• The results are summarized by NIST MEP and reported to the organization that submitted the 

request. MEPNN Supplier Scouting typically takes 30-45 days to return results. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED)’s Minority Business 

and Workforce Division works to advance the principles of recognition, procedural, distributive, and 

reparative justice by: 

• Assessing disparities within clean energy funding and workforce opportunities for disadvantaged 

communities, small and minority-owned businesses, and minority-serving institutions. 

• Centering disadvantaged communities, small and minority-owned businesses, and minorityserving institutions in the creation of policy frameworks, funding opportunities, and partnerships 

to democratize the nation’s energy systems and processes. 

• Remediating energy injustices and disparities through equitable policy implementation, funding 

opportunities, and workforce initiatives that support disadvantaged communities, small and 

minority-owned businesses, and minority-serving institutions. 

The Office of Economic Impact and MBDA work collaboratively to: 

• Drive more equitable participation of MBEs in the energy sector. 

• Create a sustainable model that identifies diverse stakeholders to address challenges and 

opportunities for underrepresented MBEs to increase the growth and impact. 
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• Engage and develop underrepresented MBEs in national energy supply chains and related high 

growth industries. 

• Develop and grow MBEs through data driven initiatives and capacity building to improve the 

participation of minorities in the energy sector. 

• Utilize data sharing and reporting tools to increase the effective engagement with MBEs 

• Facilitate MBEs’ access to resources.69 

A.3.3 Supplier Diversity NGOs 

Listed below are several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that certify minority-owned, 

women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses as well as businesses owned by other historically 

and economically disadvantaged communities, and more largely serve as advocacy organizations 

dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for such communities. While 

establishing the scope of their supplier diversity program, applicants can consider working with these 

NGOs or similar ones. 

• Disability: IN 

Disability:IN70 is a global organization that advocates for disability inclusion and equality within 

business. The organization certifies disability-owned business enterprises, including servicedisabled and veteran disability-owned businesses, and links them to entities seeking to diversify 

their supply chains. 

• National Black Chamber of Commerce 

The National Black Chamber of Commerce71 is an organization dedicated to economically 

empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and 

capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora. 

• National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship 

The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship 

(National ACE)72 is an organization dedicated to improving the economic, political, and social 

wellbeing of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

• National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce73 (NGLCC) is an advocacy organization 

dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for LGBTQ individuals, as well as the certifying 

body for LGBTQ-owned businesses. 

• National Minority Supplier Development Council 

The National Minority Supplier Development Council74 (NMSDC) is a “business growth engine” 

for Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities. The Council 

acts a certifying body for MBEs and facilitates connections between its corporate members and 

MBEs. 

• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce75 (USHCC) is a minority Chamber of 

Commerce that seeks to foster Hispanic economic development. The Chamber of Commerce 

acts as a certifying body for Hispanic-Owned Business Enterprises (HBEs). 
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• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council 

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council76 (WBENC) is a non-profit organization 

dedicated to the economic development of women-owned businesses and acts a certifying 

body for WBEs. There are 14 Regional Partner Organizations to administer the organization‘s 

certification across the nation. 

• WEConnect International 

WEConnect International77 is a global network that connects WBEs with local and multinational 

member buyers, educates women business owners on market access and growth opportunities, 

and certifies WBEs. 

• National Veteran-Owned Business Association 

The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)78 is a nonprofit organization 

dedicated to creating contracting opportunities for Veteran and Service-Disabled Business 

Enterprises (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification and advocacy. It acts as a certifying body for 

VBEs and SDVBEs and is the official veteran-owned business partner of the National Business 

Inclusion Consortium (NBIC). 

A.3.4 Ombuds Resources 

The International Ombuds Association (IOA) is a member-based professional organization and 

seeks to advance the profession of organizational ombuds. Their Office is not able to directly refer 

applicants to an ombuds.79 

Applicants looking to start an ombuds office can view the following resources: 

• Ombuds FAQ 

• Nuts and Bolts of Setting Up and Ombuds Office 

Applicants can also consider posting a job for an ombuds position opening on the IOA Job Board.80 

Applicants can also search for a consultant or contract ombuds in the Outsourced Ombuds 

Directory.81 

A.3.5 External Resources 

• Billion Dollar Roundtable 

The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR) is a non-profit organization currently comprised of 35 

Fortune-level corporations that each spend $1 billion or more annually on a tier 1 basis. The BDR 

recognizes and celebrates corporations that achieve this status and promotes and shares best 

practices in supply-chain diversity excellence. BDR member companies address current issues 

and devise strategies related to supplier diversity to advance supply- chain opportunities for 

both corporations and diverse suppliers.82 

BDR holds an annual summit83 and publishes articles, white papers84, and policy papers85 about 

supplier diversity strategies and their impact. 

• Ralph G. Moore and Associates 

Ralph G. Moore and Associates (RGMA)86 is a firm that collaborates with corporations to enhance 
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their supplier diversity program. As outlined in Section 3.4, RGMA’s 5 Levels of Supplier Diversity 

are widely used by organizations such as BDR and NMSDC to benchmark corporate supplier 

diversity program.87 Applicants can consider working with RGMA to develop their supplier 

diversity program; the organization recently developed a digital supplier diversity program 

assessment platform that outlines strategies for corporations on improving their programs. 

• SEMI 

SEMI88 is an industry association comprising companies involved in the electronics design and 

manufacturing supply chain. The SEMI Manufacturing Ownership Diversity (MOD) Working Group 

includes representation by semiconductor manufacturers, OEMs, and material suppliers. The 

MOD Working Group is dedicated to developing a diverse supply chain for the semiconductor 

industry and was established to provide a forum for SEMI members to discuss supplier diversity, 

align stakeholders on pre-competitive diversity issues, and create growth opportunities for SEMI 

businesses and their partners in the global supply chain. The group also includes certified diverse 

suppliers as well as organizations that represent diverse suppliers. 

Applicants can consider joining the MOD Working Group.89 SEMI has also hosted a roundtable 

discussion90 and a SEMICon West webinar in 202091 discussing supplier diversity. SEMI has also 

created an external supplier diversity quick start guide.92 

A.4 RELATED DOC PRIORITIES 

A.4.1 Drive U.S. Innovation and Global Competitiveness 

To scale the next generation of technological innovation, maintain global competitiveness, and ensure 

everyone benefits from the innovation economy, the nation must harness the potential of all regions, 

workers, and businesses. This means expanding support for innovation ecosystems across America 

beyond a handful of urban centers. According to the Brookings Institution, just five metropolitan 

areas — Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle — generated more than 90 percent 

of the country’s innovation sector growth between 2005 and 2017. The Department will catalyze 

growth in regions that have too often been left behind while supporting the next generation of 

technological innovation. EDA’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge will transform 20 to 

30 economically distressed regions by investing in industry clusters.93 

The CHIPS Act aims to create at least two semiconductor manufacturing clusters by 2030 by 

stimulating ecosystems that bring together suppliers, fabrication plants, R&D labs, and final 

packaging facilities. The Department believes that facilitating a more diverse and inclusive 

semiconductor ecosystem is not only good for individuals and communities, but businesses as well. 

Economic clusters cannot form or grow without a robust supply chain. Fostering industry 

partnerships (“matchmaking”) with small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteranowned businesses expands the supply base, promoting competition and supply chain resilience in 

the process. Effective supplier diversity can contribute to the creation of more productive, inclusive, 

efficient, and self-sustaining semiconductor manufacturing clusters. 
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A.4.2 Foster Inclusive and Equitable Economic Growth 

During the past several decades, manufacturing jobs in communities across the country were 

outsourced, real wage growth declined, and individuals and communities were left without the 

workforce development and training they needed. Industry innovation was also concentrated in 

select regions, with a third of America’s innovation jobs located in only 16 counties and over a half 

in 41 counties. As a result, poverty, limited job opportunities, and stagnated labor force participation 

persist in regions across the United States even when the nation overall experiences strong economic 

growth. Notably, historically underserved communities within these regions are particularly adversely 

affected. The Department finds it integral to utilize the talents and resources of these regions, 

kickstarting economic recovery and building long-term economic resilience. 

The Department aims to achieve such economic resilience through place-based economic 

development (also referred to as “place-based initiatives” or “place-based approaches”), which refers 

to geographically-oriented policies, programs, and investments designed to expand local economies 

and good paying jobs across all communities by connecting them to regional and global markets, 

supporting innovation and tech ecosystems, driving improvements in company-level productivity 

within and across sectors, and reducing inequality across and within geographies. 

As such, the Department encourages applicants to consider how their project’s supplier diversity plan 

will advance equity and inclusion within their respective communities. Regional equity and inclusion 

breaks down the systemic barriers (e.g., unconsciously embedded biases within industry-supplier 

partnerships such as lengthy payment terms or supply risk requirements) that have historically 

prevented small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses from accessing opportunities. 

Regional equity and inclusion also seek to address unmet local needs (e.g., high unemployment, 

accessibility to business partnership opportunities) while leveraging local advantages (e.g., flexibility 

to create custom solutions). 

A.5 EQUITY EXECUTIVE ORDERS 

The Office of Civil Rights has been tasked with overseeing the successful implementation of the 

following executive orders and presidential memorandums within the Department of Commerce. 

In order to better manage the various responsibilities outlined in President Biden’s DEIA-related 

executive orders and memorandums, the Department of Commerce has also created the DEIA 

Council. 

Executive Order 13985 

Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through 

the Federal Government94 directs federal agencies to evaluate whether their policies produce racially 

inequitable results when implemented, and to make the necessary changes to ensure underserved 

communities are properly supported. 
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Executive Order 13988 

Executive Order 13988: Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or 

Sexual Orientation95 expands the discrimination protections previous offered solely on the basis of 

sex into the categories of gender identity and sexual orientation. 

Executive Order 14031 

Executive Order 14031: Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native 

Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders96 establishes a White House initiative on Asian Americans, Native 

Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, as well as a Presidential Advisory Commission, both of which aim to 

advance equity, justice, and opportunity among these groups. 

Executive Order 14035 

Executive Order 14035: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce97 seeks 

to create a government-wide initiative to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). 

Executive Order 14091 

Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities 

Through the Federal Government98 targets specific barriers still faced by underserved communities 

by requiring federal agencies to integrate equity into planning and decision-making. 
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ENDNOTES 

1 15 U.S.C. § 4652(d). 

2 See 15 U.S.C. §§ 4652(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II)(bb); 4652(d)(6); Pub. L. 117–167, div. A, § 104, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 

1390; Section I.C.6 of NOFO CHIPS Incentive Program – Commercial Fabrication Facilities. 

3 “Executive Order 14080 of August 25, 2022, Implementation of the CHIPS Act of 2022,” Code of Federal 

Regulations, title 3 (2022): 52847 

4 “U.S. Department of Commerce Equity Action Plan,” U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Department of 

Commerce, April 2022), https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/DOC-Equity-Action-Plan. 

pdf. 

5 “Equity,” U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Department of Commerce, November 3, 2022), https://www. 

commerce.gov/equity. 

6 “Manufacturing Ownership Diversity,” SEMI (SEMI, n.d.), https://www.semi.org/en/workforce-development/ 

semi-foundation/manufacturing-ownership-diversity. 

7 Alexis Bateman, Ashley Barrington, and Katie Date, “Why You Need a Supplier Diversity Program,” 

Harvard Business Review (Harvard Business Publishing, August 17, 2020), https://hbr.org/2020/08/ 

why-you-need-a-supplier-diversity-program. 

8 Ian Blount and Mingxiang Li, “How buyers’ attitudes toward supplier diversity affect their expenditures with 

ethnic minority businesses,” Journal of Supply Chain Management (NIST Library, June 27, 2020), https://doi. 

org/10.1111/jscm.12237 

9 “Top Supplier Diversity Programs Broaden Value Proposition To Drive Increased Market Share, Other Revenue Opportunities,” The Hackett Group (The Hackett Group, February 16, 2017), https://www.thehackettgroup.com/top-supplier-diversity-programs-broaden-value-proposition/. 

10 “Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves at the Business Diversity Principles KickOff Event,” U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Public Affairs (U.S. Department of Commerce, 

June 13, 2023), https://www.commerce.gov/news/speeches/2023/06/remarks-deputy-secretary-commerce-don-graves-business-diversity-principles. 

11 “Size standards,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.), https://www. 

sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards. 

12 See 13 CFR § 121, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121. 

13 Ijeoma S. Nwatu, “Does Your Small Business Qualify,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business 

Administration, September 9, 2016), https://www.sba.gov/blog/does-your-small-business-qualify. 

14 15 U.S.C. §§ 637(a). 

15 “8(a) Business Development Program,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.), https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program. 

16 See https://sam.gov/content/home. 

17 “Small Disadvantaged Business,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, 

n.d.), https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/small-disadvantaged-business. 

18 See 15 U.S.C. 9501(9)). 

19 “Who We Are,” Minority Business Development Agency (U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d.), https://www. 

mbda.gov/who-we-are/overview. 

20 “About NMSDC,” NMSDC (NMSDC, n.d.), https://nmsdc.org/about-nmsdc/. 
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21 “Veteran-owned businesses,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.), 

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses. 

22 “Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Businesses,” Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (Department of Defense, n.d.), https://business.defense.gov/Socioeconomic-Programs/SDVOSB/. 

23 For more information on eligibility requirements for WOSB or EDWOSB qualification, see 13 CFR § 127.B, 

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-127/subpart-B. 

24 “Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small 

Business Administration, n.d.), https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/ 

women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program. 

25 “Certification,” WBENC (WBENC, n.d.), https://www.wbenc.org/certification/. 

26 15 U.S.C. § 637(a)(15) 

27 Native Hawaii Organization Notification List, U.S. Department of Labor Interior Office of Native Hawaiian 

Relations (U.S. Department of Labor, n.d.), https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/nhol-complete-list.pdf. 

28 “HUBZone Map,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.), 

https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map#center=39.828200,-98.579500&zoom=5. 

29 “HUBZone program,” U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.), https:// 

www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program. 

30 “Opportunity Zones,” U.S. Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Internal Revenue Service, n.d.), https://www.irs.gov/ 

credits-deductions/businesses/opportunity-zones. 

31 “Map of Opportunity Zones,” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (U.S. Department of 

Housing and Urban Development, n.d.), https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/resources/map. 

32 Tier 1 suppliers are direct suppliers of the final product. Tier 2 suppliers are suppliers or subcontractors for 

tier 1 suppliers. 

33 “RGMA 5 LevelsTM,” RGMA (RGMA, n.d.), https://rgma.com/5-levels/. 

34 For more information, see ”Procurement and Supply Chain,” California Governor’s Office of Business and 

Economic Development (California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, n.d.), https:// 

calosba.ca.gov/business-learning-center/grow/procurement-and-supply-chain/. 

35 For a list of minority depository institutions, based on Quarter-End data, see “Minority Depository Institutions,” U.S. National Credit Union Administration (U.S. National Credit Union Administration, n.d.), 

https://ncua.gov/support-services/credit-union-resources-expansion/resources/minority-depository-institution-preservation/mdi. 

36 “FDIC Definition of Minority Depository Institution,” Federal Depository Insurance Commission (Federal 

Depository Insurance Commission, n.d.), https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/minority/mdi-definition. 

html#:~:text=Section%20308%20of%20FIRREA%20defines,socially%20and%20economically%20disadvantaged%20individuals.%22. 

37 See Public Law 101-73 § 308, Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, https:// 

www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-103/pdf/STATUTE-103-Pg183.pdf. 

38 “Resource Guide for Collaboration with Minority Depository Institutions,” Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, n.d.), https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/minority/ 

collaboration/resource-guide.pdf. 

39 Alexis H. Bateman, ”Supplier Diversity: Metrics, Certification, and Program Best Practices,” MIT Center for 

Transportation & Logistics (MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, January 12, 2021), https://ctl.mit.edu/ 

pub/report/supplier-diversity-metrics-certification-and-program-best-practices. 
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40 Richard Starr, Randy Williams, and Arlene Redmon. “When Formal Channels Aren’t Enough: The Advantage of an Ombuds Program,” Shipman & Goodwin LLP (Association of Corporate Counsel, October 2006), 

https://www.shipmangoodwin.com/a/web/kMbTUMCnT24gopTVajFnFv/Xbww5/acc_docket_10-2006.pdf. 

41 “WEConnect International Announces 2022 Top Global Champion in Awardees for Supplier Diversity and 

Inclusion,” WEConnect International (WEConnect International, April 26, 2022), https://weconnectinternational.org/weconnect-international-announces-top-global-champion-awardees-for-supplier-diversity-and-inclusion/. 

42 “Developing a responsible supply chain,” Accenture (Accenture, n.d.), https://www.accenture.com/us-en/ 

about/company/accenture-supplier-inclusion-sustainability. 

43 “Supplier Diversity,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://www.adient.com/suppliers/supplier-diversity/. 

44 “Our Commitment: Global Supplier Diversity & Business Development,” Adient (Adient, December 2021), 

https://www.adient.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Adient_SD_Commitment_Doug.pdf. 

45 “Working with Adient,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://www.adient.com/suppliers/supplier-diversity/working-with-adient/. 

46 “Supplier Expectations,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://www.adient.com/suppliers/supplier-expectations/. 

47 “Supplier Communications,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://www.adient.com/suppliers/supplier-communications/. 

48 “Welcome to the Adient Integrity Helpline,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/46071/index.html. 

49 “KPMG Spectrum Third Party Intelligence,” KPMG (KPMG, n.d.), https://gtp.kpmg.com/Gateway/index.jsp. 

50 “Web Applications,” Adient (Adient, n.d.), https://www.adient.com/suppliers/online-resources/. 

51 “Adient 8D Training Courses,” Jens Moeller Consulting (Jens Moeller Consulting, n.d.), https://www.jmoellerconsulting.com/8d-training-course/. 

52 “Responsible Supply Base,” Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, 2022), https://healthforhumanityreport.jnj.com/2022/accountability-innovation/responsible-supply-base.html. 

53 See https://ascend.cvmsolutions.com/Register/Index?client=cvm. 

54 “Supplier Engagement,” Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, n.d.), https://healthforhumanityreport.jnj. 

com/2022/accountability-innovation/responsible-supply-base/supplier-engagement.html. 

55 “Supplier Diversity,” Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, n.d.), https://healthforhumanityreport. 

jnj.com/2022/accountability-innovation/responsible-supply-base/supplier-diversity.html?search-highlight=small%20diversity%20diverse%20supplier%20suppliers. 

56 “Supplier Quality Academy,” Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, n.d.), https://jjsupplierquality.com/en/ 

sqacademy. 

57 “Onward Sustainability Program,” Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, n.d.), https://jjsupplierquality. 

com/en/sqacademy/onward. 

58 “Suppliers,” Merck (Merck, n.d.), https://www.merck.com/company-overview/suppliers/. 

59 “Supplier Performance Expectations,” Merck (Merck, n.d.), https://www.merck.com/wp-content/uploads/ 

sites/5/2020/07/supplier_performance_expectations-1.pdf. 

60 Melissa Lowery, ”Merck Builds on Supplier Diversity Legacy with Innovative Programs,“ Business Equality 

Pride Magazine (Business Equality Network, July 4, 2020), https://businessequalitymagazine.com/merck-builds-on-supplier-diversity-legacy-with-innovative-programs/. 

61 “Merck Hosts Supplier Diversity Summit,” Merck (Merck, September 7, 2022), https://www.merck.com/stories/merck-hosts-supplier-diversity-summit/. 
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62 “Who We Are,” Minority Business Development Agency (U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d.), https://www. 

mbda.gov/who-we-are/overview. 

63 For a list of MBDA Business Centers, see ”Business Centers,” Minority Business Development Agency (U.S. 

Department of Commerce, n.d.), https://www.mbda.gov/mbda-programs/business-centers. 

64 For a list of Specialty Centers, see ”Specialty Centers,” (Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce), https://www.mbda.gov/mbda-programs/specialty-centers. 

65 To learn more about MEP’s role in developing domestic supply chains, see ”Executive Order 14005,” National 

Institutes of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d.), https://www.nist.gov/mep/executive-order-14005. 

66 For more information on Build America, Buy America, see ”What is Build America, Buy America?,” U.S. Office 

of Management and Budget Made in America Office (The White House, July 2022), 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Build-America-Buy-America-Factsheet-andFAQs-for-Award-Recipients.pdf. 

67 For Supplier Scouting Opportunity Synopsis form, see ”MEPNN Supplier Scouting Opportunity Synopsis,“ 

National Institutes of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d.), 

https://meis.nist.gov/SupplierScouting/Submit. 

68 For current open opportunities, see ”MEP National Network Open Supplier Scouting Opportunities,” National 

Institutes of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce, July 21, 2023), 

https://www.nist.gov/mep/mep-national-network-open-supplier-scouting-opportunities. 

69 “Minority Business and Workforce,” Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (Department of Energy, n.d.), 

https://www.energy.gov/diversity/minority-business-and-workforce. 

70 For more information, see https://disabilityin.org/. 

71 For more information, see https://www.nationalbcc.org/index.php. 

72 For more information, see https://www.nationalace.org/. 

73 For more information, see https://nglcc.org/. 

74 For more information, see https://nmsdc.org/. 

75 For more information, see https://www.ushcc.com/. 

76 For more information, see https://www.wbenc.org/. 

77 For more information, see https://weconnectinternational.org/. 

78 For more information, see https://www.navoba.org/. 

79 “How to Select or Hire an Ombuds,” International Ombuds Association (International Ombuds Association, 

n.d.), https://www.ombudsassociation.org/how-do-i-hire-an-ombuds-. 

80 See job board here. https://www.ombudsassociation.org/job-board. 

81 “How to Select or Hire an Ombuds,” International Ombuds Association (International Ombuds Association, 

n.d.), https://www.ombudsassociation.org/how-do-i-hire-or-talk-to-an-ombuds-. 

82 For more information, see https://billiondollarroundtable.org/. 

83 To find information on annual summits, see ”Events,” Billion Dollar Roundtable (Billion Dollar Roundtable, 

n.d.), https://billiondollarroundtable.org/events/. 

84 For articles and white papers, see ”White Papers,” Billion Dollar Roundtable (Billion Dollar Roundtable, n.d.), 

https://billiondollarroundtable.org/white-papers/. 

85 “Policy Papers,” Billion Dollar Roundtable (Billion Dollar Roundtable, n.d.), https://billiondollarroundtable.org/ 

policy-paper/. 

86 For more information, see https://rgma.com/. 

87 “5 Levels,” RGMA (RGMA, n.d.), https://rgma.com/5-levels/. 
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88 For more information, see https://www.semi.org/en. 

89 To see form to join the MOD Working Group, see “Join the SEMI MOD Working Group!“ SEMI (SEMI, n.d.), 

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3QuozL10F0-Obe7NC6xaAlB1caD6SXtBgSQHuUPpa9dUMkEzVTlaTE1PUjQzOE44SlNWODVPVTVYOS4u. 

90 “Want Supply Chain Resilience? Call for Diverse Suppliers! SEMI (SEMI, May 11, 2021), https://us02web. 

zoom.us/rec/play/CVA21ACYARlITjY97w9qriWfjxEY_c5PKPx5YTPUc3x9GrB50mAWDHb44Z0K3txZ7L_JbLGC1eNjJxyu.fEIuKWUfyCpi56c2?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=DtkCyFhSRl6wZOQJ3S3VJA.1622034308067.eb06a906246b98cd8c13caaf66bebb33&_x_zm_rhtaid=941. 

91 “Diversity Certification & Benefits,” SEMI (SEMI, July 2020), https://vimeo.com/443154223/743f1e18aa. 

92 “Corporate Quick Start Guide: Supplier Diversity,” SEMI (SEMI, January 2020), https://www.semi.org/sites/ 

semi.org/files/2020-01/external-supplier-diversity-quick-start-guide.pdf. 

93 “U.S. Department of Commerce 2022-2026 Strategic Plan,” U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Department 

of Commerce, March 2022), https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/DOC-Strategic-Plan2022%E2%80%932026.pdf. 

94 Executive Order 13985 of January 20, 2021, ”Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” Code of Federal Regulations, title 3 (2021): 7009-7013. 

95 Executive Order 13988 of January 20, 2021, ”Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation,” Code of Federal Regulations, title 3 (2021): 7023-7025. 

96 Executive Order 14031 of May 20, 2021, ”Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Native Americans, 

Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders,” Code of Federal Regulations, title 3 (2021): 29675-29681. 

97 Executive Order 14035 of June 25, 2021, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce,” 

Code of Federal Regulations, title 3 (2021): 34953-34603. 

98 Executive Order 14091 of February 16, 2023, ”Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

Communities Through the Federal Government,” Code of Federal Regulations, title 3 (2023): 10825-10833. 
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