Diversity and small business programs

The Diversity and Small Business program encourages the participation of small, disadvantaged businesses in the university’s procurement practices. The program provides small and disadvantaged businesses with a fair opportunity to compete with large and national businesses to be service and product suppliers to the university. It also meets a requirement for ASU as a research I university to receive certain grant funding. Suppliers will find opportunities by completing their company's information profile here.

The Diversity and Small Business program informs the University community of the needs and capability of the small, disadvantaged business community. It provides opportunities for education and business development to the small, disadvantaged business entrepreneurs in our community.

Diversity and Small Business program:  It is important that Arizona State University demonstrates the effective capability to include small business in its procurement activities. The Arizona Board of Regents approved an update in the definition of small business in the procurement of supplies, equipment and services under $100,000. This change specifies that procurements up to $100,000 must be awarded to small businesses unless that is impracticable.

Diverse and Small Business classifications

Arizona: A small business (Arizona definition, ARS 41-1001.21), including its affiliates, is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field and employs fewer than 100 full-time employees, or has grossed less than $4 million in its last fiscal year. For purposes of a specific rule, an agency may define small business to include more persons if it finds that such a definition is necessary to adapt the rule to the needs and problems of small businesses and organizations. 

Federal: A small business, Federal definition 13 CFR Part 121, is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field, and employs fewer than 100 full-time employees or has grossed less than $10 million in its last fiscal year. If you are a small and/or diverse business, please register with the System for Award Management at Sam Gov to identify your business as a potential supplier for federal grants.

Small diverse or disadvantaged business is 51% or more owned and managed by women, minority, service-disabled veteran, veteran, disadvantaged, or HUB zone qualifiers. Refer to 13 CFR Part 121 and 13 CFR Part 124. Generally, a small business by federal definition, Federal definition 13 CFR Part 121,is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field, and employs fewer than 100 full-time employees or has grossed less than $10 million in its last fiscal year. However, businesses should refer to 13 CFR Part 121 to determine whether or not the business qualifies as a small business under federal guidelines.  If you are a small and/or diverse business, please register with the System for Award Management at Sam Gov to identify your business as a potential supplier for federal grants.

Local agency listings for Small Business-M-WBE Companies:  Listing of diversity suppliers are below and links access companies registered and or certified by various entities. 

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce Arizona.
• Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce.
• Arizona Department of Transportation.
• Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona.
• Black Chamber of Arizona.
• City of Phoenix Small Business Enterprise Directory.
• City of Phoenix Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business Concern Directory.
• City of Tucson Small Business Enterprise Program. Click on the vendor link at the top and select SBE or DBE on the left. 
• East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council.
• Sun Corridor Inc.
• WBEC-West.

More resources:

• Minority, Small and Women Certified Business Listing.