Suppliers

Qualified suppliers are a valuable resource

Overview
Resources

We look at suppliers as more than just companies we do business with.

We see them as partners, people who contribute to the communities we serve. They deliver confidence, reliability and product and service excellence at a value that works for everyone.

On the lookout

We’re always on the lookout for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses with experience, sound financial history and a diverse customer base for our Supplier Diversity Program.

With that, of course, also come the expectations of knowledge of the market, excellent customer service, competitive prices, adequate insurance and bonding capabilities, established safety programs and second-tier reporting of a supplier’s own supplier diversity. We ask a lot of our suppliers because the communities we serve ask a lot of us.

To qualify

To qualify for the APS Supplier Diversity Program, your business must meet specific criteria as defined by the Small Business Administration in accordance with federal acquisition regulations. You must maintain current certification by an accepted certifying body as a minority or women-owned business enterprise. For APS, the accepted third party certifying organizations are the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or affiliate, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or affiliate, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) or the appropriate State or Federal agency.

Certification

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE): business that is at least 51% minority owned operated and controlled. A minority group member is a US Citizen who is Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American or a publicly owned business with at least 51% of stock owned by one or more of the minority group members. Certification by the National Minority Supplier Development Council and regional affiliates.
Women Business Enterprise (WBE): business that is at least 51% owned by a woman or women who are U.S. citizens and who also control and operate the business. Certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) affiliate.
Small Business Enterprise (SBE):business independently owned and operated not dominant in the field in which it might bid on government contracts, qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR 21 (500 or fewer employees); this certification includes Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBZone) certification from local, state or federal agencies.
Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE): Veteran-owned business and Service-Disabled Veteran owned-business that is 51% owned, operated and controlled by United States citizens or lawful permanent residents that are US military veterans. The veteran-owned business must obtain certification by the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) or local veteran certification council.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTBE): business that is at least 51% owned, operated, managed and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The LGBT owned business must obtain certification by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Two professionals looking at a computer screen.

Apply for our Diverse Supplier Training Program

If you’re a small business owner, one of the things that can help you succeed in doing business with us is applying for our Diverse Supplier Training Program. Our mentors will share their experiences and cover tools for energy company-focused suppliers such as strategic planning, business growth and industry-specific skills.

Applicants must be a certified or certifiable diverse business enterprise that is at least 51% owned and controlled by an individual whose business is defined as a Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, LGBTQ+-owned Small Business, Veteran-owned or Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business. Eligible participants must provide a product or service that a utility can reasonably be expected to use, and should be the majority business owner or significant decision maker.

To adapt to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is transitioning to a virtual format consisting of 10 two-hour meetings conducted via the Microsoft Teams video-conferencing platform.

We are restructuring the program to a virtual format. The next session will begin in 2021.

There is no fee for participation.

To learn more, email us at suppdiv@apsc.com or call 602-250-3396.

Apply now