The Supplier Diversity Program
Take Your Business to Higher Ground
UGI’s commitment in providing the ‘energy to do more’ comes with its ongoing commitment to intentionally seek out minority owned, women owned, diverse vendors. Our commitment to diversify the vendor pool continues to highlight inclusivity and the promotion of an equitable supply chain. Our inclusivity strategies help to attract, hire, and manage diverse suppliers to improve accessibility of product and services in more areas. Diverse suppliers help to maintain our company’s ethical standards in bringing traditionally underrepresented or underserved groups with SBE, MBE, and WBE Classifications, with a culturally competent lens and focus on the expansion of diversity through LGBTQ, veteran, and vendors servicing those with disabilities.
Being socially conscious means playing a role as an ally in the continuous work needed to promote inclusive workforces. Diversity initiatives are continuous, not periodic or gestures during difficult societal events. It is shown through promoting approaches to procurement that are equal, just, and ensures both opportunity and access is granted for participants to become viable partners and suppliers of services.
The Qualifications
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Required of All Participants
Company must be at least 51% owned by a U.S. Citizen(s) or a person(s) with U.S. Permanent Resident Alien Status; Required of Diverse Participants (Woman, Minority, LGBT, Disabled, or Veteran Owned).
You qualify as a Woman, Minority, LGBT, Disabled, or Veteran Owned Business if you are at least 51% owned, operated and/or controlled by a Woman/Women, Minority/Minorities, person(s) with Disability, LGBT person or persons or Veteran/Veterans.
Must Have a Valid Third Party Certification
You must have a valid third party certification from an external certification agency, which includes:
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
- National Women Business Owners Corporation
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (Regional council certifications are valid)
- U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
- National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- State and Federal Government Agencies which certify M/WBEs (Minority/Women Business Enterprises)
- Disability: IN
- Veterans Enterprises and/or Veteran Discharge Papers
To Qualify as a Minority or Minorities
To qualify as a Minority or Minorities, you must be within one of the following groups:
- African American – Origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa
- Asian American – Origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marinaras
- Hispanic American – Origins from Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean Basin or any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America
- Native American – American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the scope of your Supplier Diversity Strategy?
UGI’s Supplier Diversity Strategy complements its Supplier Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We are committed to leveraging existing relationships by facilitating new partnerships and investments with diverse vendors. Our Supplier Diversity Program goals and strategy involve all construction projects, engineering services, professional services, indirect services, and supplies.
What is your definition of a diverse business enterprise?
A diverse business enterprise is a for-profit entity, at least 51% of which is owned, operated, managed and controlled by a person or persons of a designated diverse background or multiple diverse backgrounds. The following designations are considered diverse business enterprises:
- Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is a for-profit entity, at least 51% of which is owned, controlled, and operated by minority group members.
- Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) is a for-profit entity, at least 51% of which is owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women of any racial or ethnic background.
- LGBTQ-Owned Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) is a for-profit entity, at least 51% of which is owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ person or persons and exercises independence from any non-LGBTQ business enterprise.
- Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) are for-profit entities, at least 51 % of which is owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a person(s) with a disability.
- Veteran-Owned Business (VOB) is a for-profit entity, at least 51% of which is owned, controlled, and operated by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDV-DOBE) and Disabled Veterans (V-DOBE) is a for-profit entity, at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a veteran, who sustained their disability during their time of service.
What is a certified diverse business enterprise?
UGI tracks the participation of certified diverse business enterprises. A certified diverse business enterprise is a business enterprise that is owned, managed, and controlled by a person(s) of a designated diverse background and possesses a third-party certification from one of the approved and accepted third party certifying entities.
Who are the third-party certifying entities approved by UGI to confirm diverse business enterprises?
The following organization provide third-party certification:
- WBE – WBENC: https://www.wbenc.org/certification
- MBE – NMSDC: https://nmsdc.org/mbes/mbe-certification
- LGBTBE – NGLCC: https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified
- VOB / SDV-DOBE / V-DOBE – Vets First: https://www.va.gov/osdbu/verification
- DOBE / SDV-DOBE / V-DOBE – Disability: https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity
- (Must indicate one of the above Diversity Classifications) – UCP: https://paucp.dbesystem.com
What types of diverse businesses qualify for inclusion in our supplier diversity program?
Minority Business Enterprises (MBE’s) – Include businesses that are certified by an approved agency to be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minority individual or group. In the case of publicly held businesses, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by a minority or minority group members. Minorities include persons of color who are Asian-Pacific Americans, Sub-Continent Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. Foreign-owned firms operating in the U.S. are not included in these categories.
Women Business Enterprises (WBE’s) – Include businesses that are certified by an approved agency to be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a non-minority woman or group of non-minority women who are U.S. citizens. In the case of publicly held businesses, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by a woman or women.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender Business Enterprises (LGBT) – Include businesses that are certified by an approved agency to be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are U.S. citizens.
Veteran Owned Business – Include businesses that are certified by an approved agency to be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a veteran or veterans who are U.S. citizens. In the case of a publicly held business, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by a veteran or veterans. Also acceptable are veteran discharge papers
How can I verify if a diverse vendor is certified if I am not a member of their organization?
Most certified diverse business enterprises will possess a valid certification form from their third-party certifying entity. Typically, the certification will have an expiration date along with a certification number that is unique to the diverse vendor. If the diverse vendor does not have a certification, a supplier can always check UGI’s supplier directory or state government databases to find third-party certified diverse vendors.
Will you accept self-certified diverse businesses?
UGI is not a third-party certifying entity and does not have the resources to perform certification services. UGI is a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition, and other minority resource organizations. As a member of these organizations, UGI accepts the validity of third-party certification processes and only accepts certifications from one of the approved third-party certifying entities.
Where can I find certified diverse business enterprises for construction, engineering services, professional services, indirect services and supplies?
The following organizations identify diverse suppliers without charge:
Definitions:
- Responsible Bidder – Prime contractor who demonstrates non-discrimination in the selection of subcontractors. A responsible bidder can demonstrate non-discrimination by meeting the minimum participation levels and/or supplier diversity goals associated with a project
- Responsible Bid – The bid documentation submitted by a prime contractor that supports non-discrimination in the selection of subcontractors. This documentation includes, but is not limited to: Exhibit 1, email communication, phone records, fax records, subcontractor pricing quotes, and database solicitation lists
- Minimum Participation Level (MPL) – The accepted percentage of total dollars expected to be subcontracted from a prime contractor to diverse subcontractors
Good Faith Effort – Actions by the prime contractor intended to identify, and if present, remove barriers for diverse businesses to participate on contract opportunities. - Prime Bidder – An entity responsible for submitting the complete bid package on behalf of itself and partners. If awarded, the Prime Bidder will be the Prime Contractor/Vendor.
- Prime and Tier I Contractor/Vendor – An entity that has a direct agreement with UGI and is responsible for the execution and completion of a project. They are also responsible for the subcontractors on a project.
- Subcontractor and Tier II – An entity or group of vendors that provides services to support a prime contract. They have a contractual agreement with; and reports directly to, a Prime Contractor or Supplier (Tier I).
Partner Organizations
