Equip Your Organization for the Changes to the DBE/ACDBE Program
Equip Your Organization for the Changes to the DBE/ACDBE Program
Texas Facilities Commission Leverages B2Gnow Supplier Diversity Software to Streamline the HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) Process
View the case study and receive an overview of the Texas Facilities Commission’s (TFC’s) commitment to creating greater efficiency and their instrumental role in the development of the B2Gnow HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) module, designed to manage, track, and report on its HUB program compliance.
Download to learn more about these important benefits reported by the HUB team:
From spurring local job growth to creating sustainable supply chains, today’s business diversity and business inclusion program managers are well-versed in the magnitude and impact of equitable contracting on DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), M/W/V/SBE and local businesses within communities across the US.
However, following the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) Affirmative Action ruling, business diversity and business inclusion programs are under increased scrutiny. Moreover, with the upcoming USDOT changes to the DBE and ACDBE programs, many program managers wonder how their programs will internally support these proposed requirements. Do they have the right supplier diversity and procurement management software in place? Can their staff manage the proposed required process changes?
In 2024, efficiency, adaptability, and impact are the name of the game. Developing and managing a D/M/W/V/SBE or local business inclusion program comes with challenges like limited supplier options, regulatory complexities, formulation and implementation of small, diverse, or local business objectives, obtaining organizational buy-in, and effective expenditure tracking. Achieving success requires actively supporting D/M/W/V/SBE and local suppliers, enhancing outreach strategies, utilizing comprehensive procurement management software, and instilling a firm commitment to diversity and inclusion among stakeholders within your organization. These measures are essential for promoting diversity, backing underrepresented businesses, fostering fair economic growth, and guaranteeing clear and transparent reporting.
As business diversity and inclusion teams across the US look to the new year to address these challenges head-on, they’re more often than not troubled with multiple systems and manual processes to fulfill their objectives and monitor these significant goals; they’re often finding their limited staff resources stuck in repetitive tasks and buried under paperwork. Moreover, they’ve become increasingly aware of the potential projects they could undertake, if not for spending hours manually tracking information – whether it involves vendor outreach, contract bidding, subcontractor payments, certification applications, or renewals. The never-ending effort to create and submit required reports, respond to staff inquiries, find the right certified firms, direct vendors to proper resources, and allay stakeholder concerns about data accuracy can feel like quicksand to your program’s objectives.
Leading state, local, education, transportation, healthcare, general contractors, and more are finding a better way to tackle efficiency, adaptability, and impact into 2024 and beyond. These organizations rely on B2Gnow Business Diversity Software to seamlessly manage, track, and report on their business diversity and inclusion programs. The B2Gnow system is not only a comprehensive procurement management software system that helps business diversity programs easily manage the bidding process from end to end, but it also facilitates the creation of utilization plans, outreach efforts, contract compliance, and more. Here are just a few of the reasons organizations choose B2Gnow:
The single largest searchable system of business diversity certifications in the U.S. – Over 120 certification agencies use the B2Gnow system to certify and track supplier diversity certifications (DBE, ACDBE, MBE, WBE, SDVBE, VBE, SBE, etc.) – this certification data is native and real-time in the B2Gnow system. Plus, B2Gnow imports over 100 other third-party directories into our system.
Unparalleled spend and utilization tracking – Through different types of spend and utilization tracking modules in the B2Gnow system, organizations can choose to track spend from tier 1 vendors (spend analysis) to tier 10 (tracking through all levels of subcontractors on a project).
End-to-end bid management – Facilitating cost-effective online bid submission, tabulation, and optional public portal publication, this integrated bid solicitation and end-to-end procurement management software solution streamlines the process. It features dynamic document requirements with amendment acknowledgment, tracks Good Faith Effort (GFE), and seamlessly connects to Utilization Planning and Contract Management modules for comprehensive diversity management. Derived from detailed input and feedback from various organizations nationwide and across industries, the module’s capabilities are designed to efficiently handle the substantial communication challenges in every solicitation. This includes tasks such as identifying and sourcing suitable firms, responding to bidder questions, and managing other administrative actions.
Powerful vendor outreach capabilities – Search, sort, group, and export vendors by various parameters such as certification type, certifying agency, race, gender, and work codes (i.e., NAICS, NOGP, etc.). Better yet, many organizations simply utilize the B2Gnow outreach engine to set up and manage communication campaigns and events to encourage wider participation.
Multiple options for output of results, reports, data, and data visualization– Choose from over 400 standard system reports, PowerBI access, and data libraries (license included), export options, and API/web services. B2Gnow allows organizations to report and visualize their business diversity and utilization data in the formats that best suit stakeholder needs.
Guaranteed compliance now and in the future – Manage complex small/diverse spend tracking compliance and regulatory requirements, including compliance with USDOT, 49 CFR Part 23, and CFR Part 26.
Some of B2Gnow’s most popular modules include:
Baseline Vendor Management – The core B2Gnow system module required for all systems: users/vendors, vendor search, reports, settings, support, connectivity, etc.
Contract Compliance – Manage the financial aspects of your program, including monitoring actual participation versus contract goals and capturing down to tier 10 awards and utilization. Manage and track prompt payment requirements, performance against goals, and CUF reviews.
Online Vendor Registration – Streamline vendor registration while empowering vendors to easily submit required information and documentation electronically. From bidder registration to EEO plans and affirmative action plans, questionnaires are configured specifically to meet each organization’s needs and can accommodate various formats and question types. The module features an automated renewal process for registered firms and allows vendors to submit profile changes anytime for ongoing accuracy.
Outreach & Events – Create “campaigns” to email blast crafted messages to a customized list of any type of vendors (certified, primes, sub, local, etc.). The module also facilitates event management and tracking.
Online Application – Allows vendors to submit certification applications online. The forms eliminate paper/email submissions and give organizations an option to eliminate hardcopy documentation completely. This efficiency reduces review time and ensures that only complete applications are received.
Certification Management – Supports your organization’s review of certification applications, including workflow and review checklists that are configured to support your process. The module helps programs increase standardization and improve the quality of certification application review. Manages expiries and renewals.
Streamline your business inclusion program and procurement processes with B2Gnow, trusted by 400+ customers strong and growing, including 30+ state DOTs, 90+ airports and transits, 100+ cities and counties, and 100+ education, healthcare, general contractors, utilities, and more. We’re standing by, ready to get you onboarded procurement management software that will also help keep you in compliance, empowering your organization to seamlessly automate, manage, track, and report on the requirements of your DBE/ACDBE, small, diverse, or local program. Contact us to speak with an expert and learn more about B2Gnow Business Diversity Software.
From spurring local job growth to building environmentally-friendly supply chains, as a certifying agency, you’re well-versed in the magnitude and impact of inclusive procurement on small, diverse, and women-owned businesses and communities across the US.
However, your program might be plagued with common challenges often seen across many certifying agencies. These include too many manual processes resulting in piles of paper, never-ending directory updates, and hours spent collecting and verifying information or explaining next steps with vendors. Add a tedious reporting process and concerns about data security to the list, and you’ve got your work cut out!
This latest article outlines five things today’s leading certifiers do to reclaim their time, optimize resources, and provide a seamless certification experience, increasing opportunities for small and diverse firms to win business.
#1 – Go Digital – Ditch paper processes for good!
Between the collection of applications and all supporting documents, your office is busting at the seams with paper:
The most efficient certifying organizations have realized that shuffling paper is time-consuming and could put them on the wrong side of a security breach. As a result, they are moving their application and approval processes online, reducing staff review time and ensuring only complete applications are received.
The digital process also reduces the vendor’s time, effort, and expense (and possibly, frustration!) required to apply for certification and maintain active status by allowing easy application completion and online document upload. Completing this streamlined process means more opportunities for these newly certified vendors to win business! Furthermore, a digital approval process could allow authorized staff to create and edit certification records, evaluate approval checklists/audits and documentation, manage certification application dispositions, and publish directory entries, all in a secure environment free from mountains of paperwork!
#2 – Offer an Online Portal – Delight vendors with one-stop convenience
When it comes to small and diverse businesses, time is money. Your goal as a certifying organization is to help them advance and grow in the community, but you may be asking yourself:
If the answer is no, your vendor experience could be lacking. Additionally, certification processes can be arduous and detailed. An antiquated process could be equally difficult for your staff. There aren’t enough hours in the day for follow-up or repeatedly answering the same questions. Additionally, outdated vendor data (email addresses, phone numbers, LinkedIn pages) can stifle opportunities for certified firms in your directory. For these reasons, you want to ensure your vendors’ experience and interactions with your agency are simple, streamlined, and consistent.
More and more certifying agencies recognize their vendors need a streamlined process and are choosing certification management software that includes vendor portal access. Designed to look like the agency’s website, a vendor portal offers vendors a one-stop shop for all their needs. B2Gnow Supplier Diversity Management software, for example, enables certifying organizations to direct vendors to their portal to not only apply for certification, monitor their application status, and apply for renewals but also to manage current directory information and all communications throughout the process. Imagine the staff hours saved with an online system that streamlines the certification application process and reduces the number of phone calls and emails with vendors, with documentation built in!
In addition to certification management, the vendor portal enables firms to keep their profiles updated (automated reminder emails can encourage this). It also allows primes, subs, or anyone to access the organization’s certification directory and other approved certified directories to search for vendors by name, zip code, work code, and more. This level of access saves time and frustration for vendors, and offers greater visibility for certified firms.
#3 Automate, Automate, Automate – Easy approvals and auto-renewals are key
All too often, certification agency staff find themselves struggling with common but severe process pitfalls:
The country’s most successful certifying organizations empower their teams with automation! They’ve found that by implementing a certification management system like B2Gnow, their staff significantly reduced the time spent doing tedious administrative tasks. Besides the conveniences of a public portal and online communication with vendors, dashboards make monitoring the application and certification processes simple. And approval is as easy as the click of a button. In addition, an automated renewal process means less worry about currently certified vendors falling through the cracks.
#4 – Proactively Grow Your Directory – Find more vendors and encourage program participation
Managing a certification program is no small undertaking, and after all the effort and time spent maintaining your directory, you still seem to fall short on potential suppliers to meet your goals. Questions that keep you up at night include:
The answer is, with the most extensive vendor database, such as B2Gnow’s database of over 1.5 million vendors (approximately 600,000 of them certified), offers an easy way to extend your reach and inform businesses in your community about your program! Search multiple parameters, including zip code, work codes, and more, and easily craft a message using the Outreach and Events module. It allows users to create “campaigns” to send email messages to a customized list of vendors and monitor the interaction. With nearly 200 certifying organizations already using B2Gnow, it’s a simple process to target firms operating in your market that are certified by others but not certified within your program. Besides certification program outreach, many organizations use the system to notify vendors about upcoming opportunities. The module also facilitates event management for online attendee registration, RSVP, and attendance tracking.
#5 – Produce More Accurate Reports With Less Effort – Generate detailed, automated reports in seconds
Your agency’s certification program is only as good as the reports you can provide. Unfortunately, for busy program directors, finding time to assemble these reports for stakeholders can mean long hours of cutting and pasting data from multiple spreadsheets, plenty of calculating and recalculating, and perhaps a bit of nail-biting over lost hours and accuracy concerns.
Top certification agency professionals rely on certification management systems for greater accuracy, efficiency, and overall program visibility for aggregate reporting. An all-in-one-certification management system, like B2Gnow, offers a robust reporting library and enables certifying agencies to easily report on everything from applications received and certification status to certification officer assignments and processing time statistics. Additionally, a best-in-class certification management system allows for the analysis and reporting of certified vendor data with a click of a button to track firms by ethnicity, gender, location, work code, and more. Furthermore, it easily creates visually appealing reports and dashboards to better demonstrate their program’s success.
No matter the size of your team, the availability of resources, or other challenges with automating, streamlining, or reporting on our program, today’s leading certifiers are finding a better, more efficient way to manage their certification process and provide a seamless certification experience that increases opportunities for small and diverse firms to win business. More than 150 certifying organizations rely on B2Gnow Supplier Diversity and Certification Management Software to manage their programs’ complex needs. From certification management and diverse vendor search access to the largest certified supplier database in the world, to data enhancement tools that qualify and quantify current supplier data, to spend analysis capabilities that go deeper to understand diverse supplier data, to construction contract compliance that easily track and report supplier diversity on capital construction contracts, B2Gnow allows supplier diversity professionals to focus on meeting diversity goals, not chasing paper. Learn more and take a tour of B2Gnow Supplier Diversity Software.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that some of your DBE Program’s current processes just aren’t as efficient as you’d like. You’ve periodically considered that improvements could be made to positively impact your DBE program (and likely make your typical workday a lot easier). After all, you have important community and diversity goals to meet and are simply tired of chasing paper. Moreover, you’re becoming keenly aware of the projects you could accomplish if you weren’t spending hours manually tracking information which, depending on your organization and responsibilities, could range from subcontractor payments to certification applications and renewals. Working until the eleventh hour to create and submit critical reports, doing multiple follow up with suppliers, and spending far too much time running in circles with multi-system chaos, questioning the accuracy of your data has become the norm.
You’re struggling with multitier tracking and reporting.
Without the proper tools in place, your visibility could be shallow. For example, your program might be successfully tracking and reporting on Tier 1 or prime DBE suppliers; however, you know you’re missing out on the opportunity to accurately report on your entire DBE utilization, as your subs may also be subcontracting with DBE businesses. The problem is effectively tracking and reporting on those deeper tiers, whether manually or through a multitude of different systems, seems impossible.
You have critical, timely reports you need to produce.
The ever-looming Uniform Report is your bi-annual nemesis! There doesn’t seem to be any simple way to get through it, and with NPRM proposed rule changes on the horizon, an accurate, timely submission will not get any easier. Besides the Uniform Report, depending on your industry and program goals, there are likely specific compliance goals, internal requirements, or mandated reports that you need to produce. To generate these reports, you need a consistent and efficient way to collect and accurately report on this data. As your program grows, and if your processes are manual, the “old way” won’t cut it in the long term – especially considering those inevitable NPRM changes.
If your organization is a certifying agency, you spend countless hours collecting and verifying vendor information while also needing more time to encourage others to apply.
Managing a certification process is a big undertaking because of the detailed information and verification required and because it involves collecting confidential documents. Many certification agencies struggle with antiquated processes involving too many steps and a questionable document collection process, often leaving vendors confused and frustrated as they initially apply for certification and, again, at the time of renewal. Additionally, after all that effort and time spent managing your directory, you still fall short on potential suppliers to fit your needs. As a result, you often think to yourself how nice it would be to have a “one-stop-shop” where vendors could easily apply for certification and renewal online and where your team could manage the entire certification process seamlessly, including outreach efforts to grow your directory!
You want your weekends back.
If you’re sacrificing your weekends to manually sift through the data, sending late-night emails, living in Excel sheets, and bouncing through a myriad of different tools to keep your DBE program flourishing, chances are you might benefit from process automation.
You’re not confident in your data.
Suppose you’re leveraging manual processes toggling between several different systems or spreadsheets, or you’re relying on a directory that isn’t exactly reliable. In that case, there is a high probability of more data errors than you’d like to admit. The problem is you know you will have difficulty meeting your DBE goals if you’re questioning data integrity. Furthermore, you fundamentally understand that accurate data on diverse suppliers and spend can be the cornerstone of your program’s success, achieving compliance, improving the economy, and supporting the community.
You’re tired of the multi-system chaos.
You have the process of toggling between software systems and spending time fixing the data field nuances down pat. But, generating a simple report, cross-referencing data, or importing or formatting specific figures from one system to the next takes a lot of work. So, you’ve often thought about how nice it would be and how much time and effort you would save to have all the features, functionality, and data you need in one system.
You want a better way to track payments.
Accurately tracking payments and reporting on diverse spend is crucial for meeting DBE program objectives. However, manually tracking and painstakingly managing the reporting framework and guidelines breeds errors and inconsistencies and must be more scalable. Leading agencies, organizations, and businesses understand that efficiently tracking payments in a streamlined and automated manner is pivotal to achieving diversity goals and growing supplier diversity programs.
If these 7 signs that your DBE program is “leaking” efficiency sound familiar, know that you’re not alone.
Budget constraints, small teams, challenging change management situations, and more are just a few of the reasons DBE program managers find themselves stuck with a potentially inefficient program. On the contrary, a growing number of DBE program managers and organizations are facing these obstacles square in the eye and actively seeking better, more effective ways to manage and grow their DBE programs. Whether the desire to seek a better way is driven by mandated compliance requirements by federal, state, municipalities, school districts and more, or supplier diversity program initiatives with goals focused on supporting the community, committing to high ethical standard, or encouraging innovation, these organizations are turning to automation and the powerful capabilities of supplier diversity and DBE compliance software programs like B2Gnow. For more information on how your organization can take advantage of automated data gathering, tracking reporting, vendor management, and administrative processes, we encourage you to reach out and schedule a time to speak with a B2Gnow expert.
While the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will help modernize and improve the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs, the steps involved for affected organizations will be complex. Many wonder how their programs will internally support these proposed requirements. Do they have resources and tools in place? Can their staff manage the proposed required process changes?
As your organization begins to strategize about future compliance, we’ve identified six of what could be the most challenging requirements facing your organization, along with some ideas about how to solve them.
Prompt payment and Retainage – Do you have the staff or software to monitor the proposed prompt payment and retainage compliance revisions? You’ll need it.
As stated in the NPRM, your DBE program must take affirmative steps to monitor and enforce prompt payment and retainage requirements. To stress the importance, they propose including an additional paragraph stating that the requirements within this rule are intended to flow down to all lower-tier subcontractors. Reliance on complaints or notifications from subcontractors about a prime’s failure to comply with prompt payment and retainage requirements will no longer cut it. Does your organization have a plan to take affirmative steps to monitor prompt payment, as stated in § 26.29? Organizations using B2Gnow’s Contract Compliance Module have no worries! The system is already tracking compliance with goals, based not only on payment amounts to primes and subs but also payment dates. Payments are reported and electronically confirmed for amount, date received, and promptness. It also enables contractors to easily report retainage as outstanding or paid. B2gnow’s tracking and reporting power puts all this information at your fingertips to ensure your subcontractor community is paid in full and on time.
Uniform Report – Already known as time-consuming and complex, will your organization be prepared to collect and track this new required data?
The Uniform report, consisting of DBE utilization data, is submitted annually to the OA(s) that provide funding to them. The NPRM seeks to revise the Uniform Report to include additional data that would assist the OAs and the Department with evaluating whether the DBE Program is progressing toward meeting its stated objectives. This expanded data collection could include additional fields for contract numbers, NAICS codes, and DBEs decertified during the reporting period, just to name a few. While there is no standard software to handle the Uniform Report’s requirements, more than 400 organizations, including more than half of all DOTs, and hundreds of transportation and aviation authorities/organizations use B2Gnow to automate, manage and report on all required information. The proposed changes will have little effect on their current data collection and reporting processes. The proposed data is native to the B2Gnow database, which means these fields are already available for reporting, allowing them to easily produce all required information with little to no impact on staff.
Bidders List – Does your organization have the personnel or software to efficiently obtain and enter bidders list data into a centralized database?
In the NPRM, The Department proposes revising § 26.11(c) to require recipients to obtain and enter bidders list data into a centralized database the Department would specify. B2Gnow helps organizations to maintain, track and report on procurement information that may be required through this proposed change. The B2Gnow system offers a variety of tools that help DBE programs to easily build and maintain bidders lists, including modules that manage proposals, utilization plans, outreach, contract compliance, and bid management. The more robust the system, the more data can be collected and reported on to be prepared for any change!
ACDBE Small Business Program – Will your organization be ready for the additional work required to manage and report on this new program?
This proposed revision to the rule, as stated in the NPRM, will replicate the DBE program’s small business element requirements for the ACDBE program. Notably, this means it would require airports to take steps to eliminate obstacles for participation by smaller ACDBEs, and submit annual reports on their small business elements. While this may seem burdensome, B2Gnow already supports hundreds of organizations to seamlessly manage and automate diversity certification processes and electronically compile complex reports with the click of a button. Additionally, the B2Gnow staff have years of combined experience with the B2Gnow system and working in the industry. Many have helped implement such programs and deeply understand the complexities involved.
Timely Processing of Certification Applications – If your organization processes certifications, you understand that deadlines are crucial. Is your program ready to manage this complex process with stricter deadlines?
The NPRM proposes limiting a certifier’s ability to extend the 90-day timeframe during which a certifier must issue a final eligibility decision for instate certification applications. Current § 26.83(k) states that a certifier may extend the 90-day period by an additional 60 days. Their proposal would reduce the extension period from 60 days to 30 days. B2Gnow can help eliminate the need for extensions by reducing the time it takes to process an application. The Online Application Module allows vendors to submit certification applications electronically online. It eliminates paper submissions and creates efficiency, reducing the review time and ensuring that only complete applications are received. It also reduces the time, effort, and expense required by firms to apply for certification and allows for the secure submission of sensitive information and documents. In addition, the B2Gnow Certification Management module provides immediate visibility into the status of all pending applications, enables the tracking of processing times, including granular “review-step” levels, and provides a complete detailed audit trail of all actions completed by staff during the review process.
Unified Certification Program – UCP Partners, does your state have the necessary resources to build directory enhancements that will likely be required to display additional information about DBE/ACDBE firms? This could get complicated!
The NPRM’s proposed changes relating to the Unified Certification Program Directories could mean technological challenges for many UCPs. The proposed rule would require UCPs to expand their DBE/ACDBE directories, allowing for the display of additional essential information about the firms beyond merely contact information and NAICS code(s). This includes amending UCP directories so that firms would have a standard set of options for information they can choose to make public, such as a capability statement, state licenses held, personnel and firm qualifications, bonding coverage, recently completed project(s), equipment capability, a link to the firm’s website, etc. Under the proposed rule, UCPs would be required to incorporate these information fields as additional criteria by which the public can search and filter the UCP directory. UCPs planning to make these necessary enhancements to existing systems will need to consider process changes and secure development resources, as well as funding to meet the 2024 deadline. Alternatively, those UCPs already using the B2Gnow system to manage their directories can rest easy, knowing that B2Gnow has the development expertise and the code and architecture in place to implement these changes within the proposed time frame.
The good news? B2Gnow Supplier Diversity Software has your organization covered for all current, proposed, and future DBE and ACDBE regulation updates.
Trusted by over 400 state, local and educational organizations, we’re standing by, ready to get you onboarded and in compliance, so you can seamlessly automate, manage, track and report on the requirements of your DBE and ACDBE programs. Contact us to speak with an expert and learn more about B2Gnow Supplier Diversity Software.
Not long ago, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the release of the final rule implementing the “Section 3” statute. This is a big deal. Why? The Section 3 regulations have not been updated since 1994!
However, there are a few concerns we often hear from agencies regarding Section 3 regulations, even before the release of this new rule. First, the guidance and regulations themselves can be confusing and unclear, and second the tracking and reporting on these requirements is oftentimes time consuming and complex.
In order to address these concerns we’re breaking down the Section 3 prior requirements versus the new final rule and providing a few real-world examples of how the rule applies to agencies.
Ready? Let’s dive in…
First thing’s first, let’s take a look at an overview of Section 3:
Section 3 Regulations – Hiring
Before the new rule, all Section 3 job opportunities arising from a covered contract must meet a minimum hiring rate of 30% of all new hires.
Now, HUD is now requiring agencies to track by labor hours, not new hires. HUD has outlined requirements for Labor Hour Tracking such that 1) Section 3 Worker = 25% of all labor hours and 2) Targeted Section 3 Worker = 5% of all labor hours
Section 3 Regulations – Section 3 Business Concerns
Before the new rule, the definition of a Section 3 Business concern is a business concern under HUD Regulations: 1) 51 percent or more owned by section 3 residents; or 2) Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were section 3 residents; or 3) That provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of “section 3 business concern.”
Now, after the new rule, this means: a business concern meeting at least one of the following criteria, documented within the last six-month period: 1) It is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by low- or very low-income persons; 2) Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period are performed by Section 3 workers; or 3) It is a business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing.
Section 3 Regulations – Other Economic Opportunities
Before the new rule, agencies always had the opportunity to apply Other Economic Opportunities, as needed. They could be used in lieu of Hiring and/or Contracting shortfalls or used in addition to those requirements. In addition, other economic opportunities to train and employ section 3 residents, include, but need not be limited to, use of “upward mobility”, “bridge” and trainee positions to fill vacancies. Before the new rule this also equated to Hiring section 3 residents in part-time positions, and Special Programs that contractors propose for other opportunities.
Now, this is now called Qualitative Efforts, but it is essentially the same concept. Overall, not much has changed with this one, except that small PHA’s are given the opportunity to track qualitative efforts. HUD plans to create some type of tracking form, but it hasn’t been solidified yet.
Download Your Complimentary B2Gnow HUD Section 3 Rule Change Guide
Ready for more? We invite you to download your complimentary B2Gnow HUD Section 3 Rule Change Guide. Download the guide to receive an easy-to-digest resource on navigating the HUD Section 3 Rule Change, plus get access to an overview of B2Gnow’s Section 3 Module Suite – a complete solution leveraged by Housing Authorities across the US to help track and report for the entirety of Section 3 regulations.
Section 3 Program Management Simplified
Monitoring and ensuring agency compliance with 24 CRF 135 is a challenging task for any organization, large or small. B2Gnow automates and digitizes Section 3 program compliance and the generation of mandated HUD reports. Learn more about B2Gnow and Request a Demo.
Diversity in higher education is more than just students and staff. There is a third piece to the diversity and inclusion puzzle that is equally important for colleges and universities: supplier diversity.
Supplier diversity is a program which encourages the use of traditionally underrepresented or underserved groups as suppliers, such as small-business enterprises (SBEs), minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs), woman-owned business enterprises (WBEs) and more, and as many universities and colleges across the US have learned, there are numerous benefits to implementing and prioritizing a supplier diversity strategy.
However, the tricky part these days lies in prioritizing supplier diversity while still grappling with the effects of the global pandemic. For example, many higher education institutions have turned their focus to financial issues, enrollment rates, budget cuts, reopening campuses, and more. Among all of the competing priorities, how can supplier diversity program managers at colleges and universities help to keep supplier diversity initiatives top of mind for the institution and its leadership?
We’ve compiled 4 tips that supplier diversity professionals can execute now to better support prioritizing supplier diversity in higher education:
1. Focus on the economic impact:
Colleges and universities across the US have incredible buying power and spend millions of dollars each year. By implementing a supplier diversity strategy it dramatically increases the number of potential suppliers and promotes competition, which can improve product quality and drive down costs. After all, more sourcing options equate to a more resilient and agile supply chain. Prioritizing a supplier diversity strategy supports growth and jobs, and the ripple effect of that on the local communities that universities and colleges operate in can be profound.
2. Get buy-in from senior leaders:
In order for any supplier diversity program to be successful it’s not enough to have the buy-in from only a select few in the university. It’s critical to have backing from senior leaders across the institution, such as: presidents, chancellors, and system governing boards. Oftentimes what is helpful in this approach is breaking-down the big picture and focusing on what each department or role may view as highly important, such as: emphasizing the economic benefits, impacts to the university’s bottom line, reduction in supply chain risk, supporting compliance, and improving reputation.
3. Equip staff and spread the word:
Outside of your department, employees may not be up-to-speed on the university’s supplier diversity program. Don’t be shy when it comes to sharing your goals and purpose in internal marketing programs to help spread the word – for instance communicating information about the program within your organization’s intranet, newsletter or other internal channels. Outside of your organization, participate in local supplier diversity councils, conferences, networking events and other outreach opportunities. Clearly promote opportunities on how to execute business with your college or university. Reach out to other supplier diversity professionals to network and share insights and best practices. Celebrate your wins and promote what you are doing by applying for awards related to working with diverse suppliers, put out press releases and share your wins on social media.
4. Get the right tools in place:
Without a way to effectively streamline and automate data gathering, tracking, reporting, vendor management and administrative processes, your supplier diversity program can only go so far. If you’re ready to prioritize supplier diversity and take your program to the next level, it’s time to say goodbye to manually tracking diverse suppliers and certifications, dealing with questionable data accuracy and multi-system chaos, having limited or no visibility into multi-tier diverse spend, or working until the eleventh hour to create and submit critical reports. Higher education institutions like University of Houston, Eastern Washington University, University of Texas System, University of Chicago and hundreds of others, are turning to the powerful capabilities of supplier diversity management software, like B2Gnow, to support their diversity goals. From diverse vendor search access to the largest certified supplier database in the world, to data enhancement tools that qualify and quantify current supplier data, to spend analysis capabilities that go deeper to understand diverse supplier data, to construction contract compliance that easily track and report supplier diversity on capital construction contracts, B2Gnow allows supplier diversity professionals to focus on meeting diversity goals, not chasing paper. Learn more about B2Gnow and request a demo.
If you’re exploring the benefits of increasing your annual spend with diverse suppliers, where do you start?
One word: Data.
Data, and how good that data is, is arguably one of the key pillars of a successful supplier diversity program. If your data is inaccurate or messy everything will suffer.
You likely miss your diversity goals, account for diverse spend that shouldn’t be, miss a chance to showcase additional diverse spend your organization has influenced. You’ll also waste your time and resources, miss an opportunity to demonstrate value and economic impact to your community, as well as deal with potential repercussions for federal funding repayment, and the list goes on…and on.
The good news is that there are tools and approaches that organizations can adopt to improve the integrity of their data, how they view and report on that data, and ultimately positively influence the success of their supplier diversity program and the communities they serve:
Move to Digital
If you’re sacrificing hours upon hours of manually sifting through the data, living in spreadsheets or toggling between several different tools or directories, chances are there are more than a few data errors that you’d feel comfortable to admit. If this sounds familiar, it may be a sign it’s time to go digital and leverage the power of a supplier diversity software system that automates many of these tedious, manual processes. A robust supplier diversity software system, like B2Gnow, automates and streamlines time-consuming data processes with a click-of-a-button. In turn drastically increasing data accuracy as well as reducing time and effort necessary to successfully manage a diversity program. Oftentimes the result is that organizations are saving 60%-80% of time spent on administrative and clerical activities, while at the same time enhancing impact and reach.
Invest in Data Match and Enrichment
How confident are you that you have the latest, most accurate information on your suppliers? Could it be out of date? Who is even verifying the information is correct? Bottom line is, if your supplier data is not accurate, your small and diverse business spend is probably flat-out wrong. Many leading organizations have seen the writing on the wall when it comes to the importance of the latest, most accurate supplier data and have turned to supplier diversity software systems for their comprehensive and trusted data scrub and data enrichment services. B2Gnow supplier diversity management software hosts the largest certified diverse business database in the world – from directories to local and state certifying agencies – to match all listed vendors to the certifications available for such vendors. In addition, the company enriches the data by providing additional information for each matched vendor. The result is the rapid ability to qualify and quantify your current supplier data to maximize current goals. No more redundant or inaccurate data.
Go Deeper with Spend Analysis
Various organizations, such as government agencies, corporations, healthcare, and higher education, have unique needs when it comes to data and how they are tracking spend. For instance, many spend a significant amount of money on purchase orders or credit cards across a large number of vendors. The issue is that this data on potential small and diverse business spend is lost when these dollars aren’t tracked and attributed. Software like B2Gnow’s Spend Analysis module allows organizations to quickly and easily capture and report on this important diverse spend data across their credit card and purchase order expenditures. The payment data is merged with B2Gnow’s extensive recognized certification and registry data, resulting in a complete spend analysis that allows the spend data to be visualized and utilized to granularly evaluate diverse supplier programs.
Multi Tier Tracking and Reporting
Your program might track and report on Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers; however, your subs may also subcontract with certified businesses. This shallow visibility results in inaccurate reporting on your entire small/diverse vendor utilization, significantly understating your organization’s efforts. Effectively tracking and reporting on those deeper tiers may seem impossible; however, comprehensive supplier diversity management platforms can track goals and record diverse spend up to tier 10, all while ensuring compliance.
Ready to get a handle on your data and grow your supplier diversity program?
Say goodbye to tedious, manual processes, and go deeper into your data. Benefit from a robust supplier diversity software solution that streamlines and automates data-gathering, tracking, reporting, vendor management, and administrative processes, resulting in a significant reduction in staff time and cost – allowing you to focus on meeting diversity goals, not on chasing paper. Learn more about B2Gnow and request a demo.
You’ve periodically thought about how supplier diversity software could not only positively impact your supplier diversity program, but… it would also make your life a heck of a lot easier. Afterall, you have important community and diversity goals to meet, and you’re simply tired of chasing paper. Moreover, you’re becoming keenly aware of the projects you could accomplish if you didn’t have to spend your time manually tracking payments, working until the eleventh hour to create and submit critical reports, running in circles with multi-system chaos, and spending way too many hours sifting through various sources of certified directories.
Not sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? We’ve compiled the 7 Signs it’s time to Invest in Supplier Diversity Software:
You spend countless hours searching and sifting through various sources of certified directories to find certified diverse suppliers.
After all that effort and time searching, you typically end up short of potential suppliers to fit your needs. Plus, you’re not exactly confident in whether or not the data you found is up-to-date and accurate. You often think to yourself how nice it would be to have a one-stop-shop database filled with millions of certified diverse suppliers that you could filter and sort to match your needs – all with the click of a button.
You’re struggling with multitier tracking and reporting.
If you’re only successfully tracking and reporting on Tier 1 or prime suppliers that are diverse-owned, you know you’re missing out on the opportunity to improve your supplier diversity program and boost diverse spend because your primes may already be working with several diverse-owned businesses. The problem is effectively tracking and reporting on this, whether manually or through a multitude of different systems, seems like an impossible task.
You have critical, timely reports you need to produce.
Depending upon your industry and supplier diversity program goals, there are likely specific compliance goals, internal requirements, or mandated reports that you need to produce. In order to generate these reports, you realize you need a consistent and efficient way to collect and accurately report on this data. How you’re doing it currently isn’t going to cut it in the long-term.
You want your weekends back.
If you’re sacrificing your weekends to manually sift through the data, sending late-night emails, living in Excel sheets, and bouncing through a myriad of different tools to keep your supplier diversity program flourishing, chances are you might benefit from a supplier diversity software system that automates and streamlines many of these processes.
You’re not confident in your data.
If you’re leveraging manual processes toggling between a number of different systems or spreadsheets, or relying on a directory that isn’t exactly reliable, there is a high probability that there are more than a few data errors that you’d feel comfortable to admit. The problem is, you know you’re going to have a hard time meeting your supplier diversity goals if you’re questioning data integrity. Furthermore, you fundamentally understand that accurate data on diverse suppliers and spend can be the cornerstone of your organization’s success, contributing to both improving the economy, supporting the community, and encouraging innovation.
You’re tired of the multi-system chaos.
You have the process of toggling between software systems and spending time fixing the data field nuances down pat. The issue is, generating a simple report, cross-referencing data, or importing or formatting specific figures from one system to the next is extremely time-consuming. You’ve often thought about how nice it would be, and how much time and effort it would save you, to have all of the features, functionality and data that you need in one system.
You want a better way to track payments.
The ability to track payments and report on diverse spend is crucial for meeting supplier diversity program objectives. Manually tracking as well as pain-stakingly managing the reporting framework and guidelines not only breeds error and inconsistencies, but it is not scalable. Leading agencies, organizations, and businesses understand that the ability to efficiently track payments in a streamlined and automated manner is pivotal to achieving diversity goals and growing their supplier diversity programs.
Do these 7 signs sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company with the thousands of leading government and public sector organizations, corporations, contractors and institutions who were tired of inefficiencies. They needed a better way to meet their important diversity goals – whether that be mandated compliance requirements by federal, state, municipalities, school districts and more, or supplier diversity program initiatives with goals focused on supporting the community, committing to high ethical standard, or encouraging innovation – they turned to the powerful capabilities of B2Gnow, the leading provider of supplier diversity and compliance software solutions.
Benefit from a robust solution that streamlines and automates data-gathering, tracking, reporting, vendor management, and administrative processes, resulting in a significant reduction in staff time and cost – allowing you to focus on meeting diversity goals, not on chasing paper. Learn more about B2Gnow and request a demo.
