UCSF Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Program

UCSF suppliers make our commitment to improving healthcare worldwide possible. UCSF works with suppliers that help promote and support the work of underrepresented small, local, diverse businesses whenever possible. UCSF has locations throughout the Bay Area and in Fresno. In support of UCSF’s goal to reach 25 percent of our addressable spend (annual funds that aren’t committed to specific contracts) with certified small and diverse businesses, we encourage our suppliers to obtain all applicable certifications prior to applying to opportunities at UCSF. We encourage all to participate in UCSF Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Program (SDIP). 

Supplier opportunities are initiated at the department level. Creating visibility for your business with diversity certifications in our sourcing systems will help departments find and contact you for quotes. 

UCSF relies on third-party certification to establish eligibility for our supplier diversity programs. Certification is an important tool that authenticates a supplier’s status. 

There are standards and guidelines around small and diverse business classification for certification. Common criteria include:  

• Eligible individual(s) must maintain 51 percent ownership and maintain daily control of the business.
• The business must be in the U.S. or its territories.
• Eligible individual(s) with the 51 percent ownership must be U.S. citizens.

The UCSF Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Program as well as our Anchor Institution Mission (AIM) Procurement acknowledges business diversity type certifications to do business with the University of California. 

Here are a few steps to guide our suppliers/vendors on their certification process:

1. The vendor/supplier must be certified. We encourage free options such as the state or federal agencies. There are also supplier diversity council memberships that offer certifications for a fee.

- Please note suppliers/vendors may apply for multiple certifications that their business identifies with.

- Suppliers/Vendors are encouraged to have their business entity documents such as tax forms, etc. organized to fill out the applications easily.

- Apply for free on the agency website directly and utilize the contact support. Information with details below.

2. Once the certification is received, please create a supplier profile in SupplierOne so that your business can be seen in our systemwide database. Registering with Supplier One may help increase our diverse spend matching rate with UCOP reporting of our diverse vendor/supplier lists to achieve our 25% diverse spend goal.

The Supplier Clearinghouse is operated on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission and participating utility companies in accordance with General Order 156. The program provides certified MBE, WBE, DVBE, LGBTBE and PDBE firms the opportunity to participate in a wide range of business opportunities. 

Certification is free of charge. There is no fee to apply or participate in the verification process. Qualified applicants are entered in a supplier database accessed by participating utilities and other covered entities throughout the State. Certification is usually granted within 45 days of receipt of a complete application and is valid for three years.

For firms that have not used the online system yet or require a refresher, please follow the steps below:
1. Select apply for certification
2. Select an option below as renewing or new applicant.

• If you have your account credentials, click "Login".
• If you forgot your password, click "Login" and then "Forgot Password".
• If you are renewing but don't know your account credentials, click "Lookup Account".
• If you are new to the Supplier Clearinghouse, click "Lookup Account" to see if your firm already has an account in the system (which is used by many certifying organizations) or "Create an Account" to create a profile.

3. Once you have logged in, continue through the steps to select the correct application, confirm your eligibility for certification, and start the application.
4. Complete the application form and upload supporting documents. You can answer questions and complete sections in any order, at any time. Make sure to save your entries so you can return if needed later to finish the application.
5. Submit the application for review.

Program Contacts
E-mail: [email protected] 
Phone: (562) 325-8685 & (800) 359-7998 (8am - 5pm Pacific Time)
Fax: (562) 278-0153 & (888) 549-3803
Have a question about the system or need technical assistance? Contact Customer Support

If you have questions about Supplier Diversity at UCSF—please contact the Supply Chain Management Response Team.

Visit the UC Public Bid Site to review UC-wide and individual campus RFP solicitations

 UC's Small Business Vendor/Contractor Insurance option – only $750

UC Terms and Conditions all UCSF suppliers must comply with these terms.

Supplier.io registration portal Information on listings and support for suppliers.

CalUsource Supplier Resources Access for suppliers.

General Supplier Diversity resources Explore a wide range of resources and videos that can help your business.

California Office of Small Business Advocate: Tara Lynn Gray serves as the director, and Clair Whitmer is the Northern California Regional Advisor and Deputy Director. 

Archive of Recent Supplier Webinars: 

Anchor Institution Summit 2023

Driving Innovation Supplier Diversity Webinar May 2024