Supplier diversity
"At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion for our employees, customers, members, and community. Our supplier diversity program demonstrates this commitment by ensuring that certified diverse enterprises have open access to contracting opportunities with BCBSRI. Cultivating partnerships with diverse suppliers allows us to provide innovative solutions to our customers in an increasingly dynamic healthcare ecosystem and to stimulate economic vitality throughout all the communities we serve."
– Martha L. Wofford, President and CEO
Our mission
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island will increase our procurement of products and services from minority-owned, women owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, veteran-owned, small disadvantaged, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone business enterprises as well as local small businesses. Investing in and partnering with a diverse supplier base reflecting our customers and our community advances our vision to Improve health and well-being by leading access to high quality, affordable, and equitable care in Rhode Island. We are committed to creating opportunities that will have a significant positive economic impact throughout our state.
Our commitments
Through our Supplier Diversity Program, we will:
- Maximize opportunities for diverse businesses to do business with BCBSRI
- Foster a culture that promotes sustainable economic development of diverse business enterprises throughout the communities we serve
- Build partnerships with suppliers to create value and offer exceptional service to our customers
- Activate our commitment to inclusion, equity, and comprehensive health and well-being by investing in our communities, building economic sustainability, job creation, and job growth
Certifications
We actively seek and encourage diverse businesses from all segments of the business community to participate in our corporate procurement process. We recognize the value that this program brings to our company, our members, and our associates. Certified suppliers that qualify for this program include:
- Minority-owned businesses
- Woman-owned businesses
- Veteran-owned businesses
- LGBTQ-owned businesses
- Disadvantaged business enterprises and small disadvantaged businesses
- Disability-owned businesses
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island accepts certifications from the following organizations:
- State of Rhode Island Certification
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and its regional affiliates
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and its regional affiliates
- National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) for small businesses and those owned by a veteran
- Disability:IN certifies disability-owned business enterprises, including service-disabled and veteran disability-owned businesses.
- Other government agencies (state or national level)
Other certifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions, please email strategicsourcing@bcbsri.com.
What we purchase
We aim to provide access and opportunity for all suppliers across business sectors to participate in our procurement process. We purchase a variety of products and services to serve our members, including, but not limited to:
- Advertising and marketing services
- Computer hardware, software supplies, and services
- Information technology contingent labor services
- Printing
- Promotional items
- Staffing solutions
- Consulting
- Training
- Office supplies
Tier II Quarterly Reporting Resources
At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), we are committed to maintaining fair and consistent contracts with our vendors to ensure that our mutual interests are aligned as we seek opportunities to conduct and grow business with our partners. A vital component of this partnership is our support of diverse supplier partners through our supplier diversity program. Investing in and partnering with a diverse supplier base reflective of our customers and our community advances our vision to improve health and well-being by leading access to high quality, affordable, and equitable care.
As a BCBSRl contractor, your company is a Tier I supplier to our company, and subsequently, your certified sub-contractors and other vendors are Tier II suppliers. Our Tier II suppliers are required to submit quarterly reports, which is a hallmark of best-in-class supplier diversity programs.
BCBSRI is proud of our corporate commitment to diverse suppliers. We understand that utilizing diverse suppliers increases the size of our supplier pool, creating more competition and potentially reducing costs, while contributing to a more resilient supply chain. In addition, effectively managing supplier diversity provides a competitive advantage within our industry, helping us attract and retain members and creating opportunities for diverse businesses that will have a significant positive economic impact throughout our state.
We look forward to your collaboration as we strengthen our relationship and thank you for your support in implementing this critical business strategy.
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If you are interested in being a supplier or already are a supplier, please login in to our supplier portal.
Registering with BCBSRI will not automatically guarantee a business opportunity. We will contact suppliers that meet our criteria if we have an appropriate business opportunity.