Supplier Engagement & Innovation
"To compete in a highly dynamic healthcare environment, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is more committed than ever to maintaining a resilient and healthy supply chain that represents a comprehensive range of enterprises. This includes certified non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small, and historically underutilized enterprises, including disability-, minority-, woman-, veteran-, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. We ensure that all enterprises have equal access to contracting opportunities with BCBSRI, regardless of status. Through our supplier partnerships, we aim to provide innovative solutions to our customers and stimulate economic vitality in 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 non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small, and historically underutilized enterprises as well as local small businesses. Investing in and partnering with a 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 Engagement & Innovation Program, we will:
- Maximize opportunities to do business with BCBSRI
- Foster a culture that promotes sustainable economic development of business enterprises throughout that are representative of the communities we serve
- Build partnerships with all suppliers to create value and offer exceptional service to our customers
- Activate our commitment to creating economic opportunities and comprehensive health and well-being by investing in our communities and building economic sustainability, job creation, and job growth
We partner with national, regional, and local organizations to identify and develop established and emerging entrepreneurs to strengthen the business communities we serve. We recognize the value that these efforts bring to our company, our members, and our associates. These partner organizations include:
- 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)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) for small businesses and those owned by a veteran
- Disability:IN, which certifies disability-owned business enterprises, including service-disabled and veteran disability-owned businesses
- Other government agencies (state or national level)
If you have any questions, please email supplier.diversity@bcbsri.org.
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
Our Supplier Engagement & Innovation Program consists of two tiers:
- Tier I focuses on monitoring our purchases to help ensure we have non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small, and historically underutilized enterprises providing quality goods and services.
- Tier II takes the program to a new level by monitoring our large, valued suppliers to help ensure the above enterprises are included in their supply chains.
Tier II Quarterly Reporting Resources
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 non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small, and historically underutilized enterprises.
As a BCBSRl contractor, your company is a Tier I supplier to our company, and subsequently, your non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small, and historically underutilized sub-contractors and other vendors are Tier II suppliers. Our Tier I suppliers are required to submit quarterly reports, which is a hallmark of best-in-class when measuring economic development impact.
We understand that tapping into a broader supply chain creates more competition and increases overall value to BCBSRI, while contributing to a more resilient supply chain. In addition, it provides a competitive advantage within our industry, helping us attract and retain members and creating opportunities for non-traditional suppliers, socially disadvantaged, small and historically underutilized enterprises that will have a significant positive economic impact throughout our state.
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If you are interested in being a supplier or already are a supplier, please log in 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.