Strategic Supplier: FAQs
Does the Tennessee Board of Regents have a Strategic Supplier program?
Yes, the Tennessee Board of Regents is dedicated to supporting strategic suppliers, as it is essential to the system's mission and core values. The Procurement, Contracts, and Payment Services (PCPS) unit of Procurement Supplier Support oversees the Tennessee Board of Regents’ strategic suppliers’ program.
Does the Tennessee Board of Regents have strategic supplier goals?
Yes, the goal of the Strategic Supplier program is to expand procurement opportunities for businesses that have historically faced challenges in the procurement process by increasing the participation of businesses owned by minorities, women, and people with disabilities to at least 20% of allowable expenditures, and 3% for veteran-owned businesses.
How do small, and minority-owned firms participate in Tennessee Board of Regents contracts?
Small and minority-owned businesses can participate as prime contractors or subcontractors. They may also join as joint ventures with majority-owned firms or other qualifying businesses.
Does the Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives & Development (GO-BID) have a searchable database to locate certified small and minority-owned vendors to participate in Tennessee Board of Regents contracts?
Yes, certified small and minority-owned vendors are listed in a searchable database maintained by the Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives & Development (GO-BID), available at: Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives and Development. The Tennessee Board of Regents Office of Strategic Supplier staff can also assist with searches.
Does the Tennessee Board of Regents guarantee work for specific businesses?
No, the Tennessee Board of Regents does not guarantee work to any supplier, but we are committed to assisting qualified suppliers in navigating the procurement processes of the System Office.
What types of goods and services does the Tennessee Board of Regents and its Institutions purchase?
The System Office and its Institutions procure a wide range of goods and services to support academic, research, technical, and health programs. Procurement opportunities are posted on the Bid Opportunities webpage .
What is certification?
Certification is the process of verifying that a business is at least 51% owned and operated by an eligible minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled, or veteran-owned business.
How can a minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled, or veteran-owned firm obtain certification?
Businesses that qualify can apply for certification through the Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives & Development (GO-BID) certification program. Detailed information about GO-BID, eligibility criteria, and an online application can be found at: Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives and Development.
Is certification required for a minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled, or veteran-owned business to work with TBR and its Institutions?
No, certification is not required. However, certified businesses may have additional opportunities to participate as subcontractors in procurement initiatives.
Are there advantages to obtaining certification?
Yes. Once certified, a business is included in a public database accessible to organizations and companies looking for qualified vendors. Additionally, certified businesses may be utilized by primary contractors to meet procurement goals.
Does my business need certification to be counted toward specific procurement goals?
Yes, a business must be certified to be included in procurement goal calculations.
How long does the certification process take?
If all required documents and forms are submitted, certification is typically granted within 90 days, though the process may take less time.
How do small and minority-owned businesses stay informed about current and upcoming procurement opportunities with the Tennessee Board of Regents?
The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) maintains a vendor database for the System Office and its Institutions. Vendors can register online once and update their information as needed, eliminating the need to register separately with each TBR Institution. Registration does not guarantee receipt of all Requests for Quotations (RFQ) or Requests for Proposals (RFP). Vendors are encouraged to actively check for bid opportunities. For inquiries, vendors may contact the Strategic Supplier Liaison, Danyelle Johnson, at procurementpartnerships@tbr.edu or call 615.365.1558.