Hospital Supplier Diversity Plans

1. Policy Statement

Supplier Diversity Policy Statement

Lompoc Valley Medical Center remains committed to promoting supplier diversity by providing equitable opportunities for qualified businesses to compete for contracts and procurement opportunities. We recognize that a diverse supplier base strengthens our supply chain, supports economic development within our communities, and fosters innovation. The organization encourages participation from small, local, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses whenever practical and consistent with quality, service, and cost requirements. Procurement decisions are based on objective criteria including quality, value, regulatory compliance, reliability, and the ability to meet the organization's operational needs. As part of our ongoing procurement strategy, we continue to evaluate opportunities to expand supplier diversity, engage with diverse vendors through our group purchasing organization and local outreach efforts, and incorporate supplier diversity considerations into our sourcing processes where appropriate. These efforts align with our commitment to responsible stewardship of resources while supporting inclusive economic growth within the communities we serve.

2. Goals and Timetables

Please describe your hospital's short-term goals and timetables, but not quotas, for increasing procurement from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

Over the next 12 months, LVMC will focus on strengthening its supplier diversity efforts by enhancing its ability to identify, engage, and evaluate qualified women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. As part of this effort, LVMC has implemented a new materials management system that will improve supplier data management and provide greater visibility into supplier diversity classifications. This enhanced capability will support more informed sourcing decisions and improve the organization's ability to monitor supplier diversity activity. LVMC will also continue to partner with Vizient, its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), to identify diverse suppliers and evaluate opportunities to expand procurement through existing contracts. In addition, the organization will collaborate with the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) supplier diversity program to identify new qualified vendors and increase awareness of diverse business enterprises available to meet the hospital's operational needs. Throughout the year, LVMC will continue to engage local businesses by meeting with vendor representatives, evaluating their products and services, and exploring opportunities for partnership. When appropriate and consistent with organizational policies, quality standards, and fiscal responsibility, LVMC will consider sourcing opportunities both within and outside of GPO contracts to support qualified diverse suppliers. These short-term initiatives are intended to build a sustainable supplier diversity program, strengthen community partnerships, and increase opportunities for diverse businesses to participate in the hospital's procurement process while ensuring the highest standards of quality, service, and value.

Please describe your hospital's long-term goals and timetables, but not quotas, for increasing procurement from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

Over the next three to five years, LVMC is committed to establishing a sustainable supplier diversity program that integrates diverse business enterprises into the organization's procurement and sourcing strategies. The hospital's long-term objective is to strengthen relationships with qualified women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse businesses while continuing to meet the organization's standards for quality, service, value, and regulatory compliance. LVMC will continue to leverage its materials management system to enhance supplier data, improve reporting capabilities, and better identify opportunities to engage diverse suppliers throughout the procurement process. The organization will also maintain partnerships with Vizient, its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) to identify qualified vendors, increase supplier outreach, and remain informed of best practices and emerging opportunities. As procurement contracts are renewed and new sourcing opportunities arise, LVMC will evaluate qualified diverse suppliers alongside other prospective vendors. The organization will continue to engage with local businesses, participate in supplier outreach and educational opportunities, and encourage diverse suppliers to participate in competitive procurement processes whenever appropriate. LVMC recognizes that building a robust supplier diversity program is an ongoing process. As internal systems, reporting capabilities, and supplier data continue to mature, the organization will periodically evaluate its supplier diversity strategy and implement enhancements that support equitable access to procurement opportunities while ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational resources and delivering high-quality care to the communities we serve.

3. Outreach and Communication

Please describe the methods in which the hospital encourages and seeks out both prime and subcontract suppliers from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises to become potential suppliers

LVMC encourages participation from women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse business enterprises by incorporating supplier diversity considerations into its procurement and sourcing processes whenever practical and consistent with the organization's operational needs. The hospital works closely with Vizient, its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), to identify qualified diverse suppliers and evaluate opportunities to utilize existing contracts that include certified diverse businesses. When sourcing new products or services, procurement staff review available vendor options and consider diverse suppliers that meet the organization's standards for quality, service, regulatory compliance, and value. In addition to leveraging GPO resources, LVMC actively engages with local businesses by meeting with vendor representatives, evaluating new products and services, and exploring opportunities for future partnerships. When appropriate, the hospital may pursue procurement opportunities outside of the GPO to support qualified local and diverse suppliers while ensuring compliance with organizational purchasing policies. LVMC has also implemented a new materials management system that enhances supplier information and reporting capabilities, allowing the organization to better identify and track diverse suppliers. As these capabilities continue to evolve, LVMC will use this information to support outreach efforts, strengthen supplier relationships, and identify additional opportunities to expand participation by diverse business enterprises. The hospital remains committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive procurement process that provides qualified diverse suppliers with meaningful opportunities to participate in serving the healthcare needs of our community.

Please describe the methods in which the hospital encourages its employees involved in procurement to seek out women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises to become potential suppliers

LVMC encourages employees involved in procurement to consider qualified women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse business enterprises as part of the sourcing and vendor evaluation process. Procurement staff are encouraged to identify and evaluate diverse suppliers that can meet the organization's standards for quality, service, regulatory compliance, and value.

Please describe the methods in which the hospital conducts outreach and communication to women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

LVMC conducts outreach to women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse business enterprises through a combination of strategic partnerships, local vendor engagement, and ongoing procurement activities. The hospital works closely with Vizient, its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), to identify qualified diverse suppliers and increase awareness of available contracting opportunities through established supplier networks.

4. Support and Supplier Resolutions

Please describe the methods in which your hospital supports, partners with, or interacts with organizations and other entities in the procurement ecosystem that promote, certify, or contract with women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

LVMC supports supplier diversity by partnering with organizations that promote and connect healthcare providers with qualified women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse business enterprises. The hospital's primary partnership is with Vizient, its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), which provides access to a broad network of certified diverse suppliers and resources that support inclusive procurement practices.

Please describe the methods in which your hospital resolves any issues that may limit or impede an enterprise from becoming a supplier

LVMC is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and inclusive procurement process that provides qualified suppliers with equitable opportunities to do business with the organization. When a prospective supplier encounters barriers to participation, the hospital works collaboratively with the vendor to better understand the issue and identify potential solutions whenever practical and consistent with organizational policies and operational requirements.

5. Diversity Commission Recommendations and Planned Implementations

Please describe the past implementation of relevant recommendations made by the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission

LVMC continues to monitor and incorporate supplier diversity best practices consistent with the recommendations and objectives of the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission, as applicable to the organization's size, resources, and operational needs. While the hospital has not implemented recommendations tied to a specific Commission action plan, it has taken meaningful steps to strengthen its supplier diversity program.

Please describe the planned implementation of relevant recommendations made by the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission

LVMC is committed to continuously evaluating and enhancing its supplier diversity program in alignment with the recommendations and best practices of the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission, as appropriate for the organization's size, resources, and operational needs. As new guidance and recommendations become available, the hospital will assess their applicability and incorporate feasible strategies into its procurement processes.

6. Procurement Process and Certification

Please describe your hospital's procurement process

LVMC's procurement process is designed to ensure the acquisition of high-quality goods and services in a manner that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies. Procurement decisions are based on objective criteria, including quality, patient safety, clinical effectiveness, service, availability, regulatory compliance, and overall value. The procurement process begins with the identification of an operational or clinical need by the requesting department. The Materials Management team works collaboratively with department leaders, clinical staff, and other stakeholders to evaluate product specifications, supplier qualifications, pricing, and contract availability. Whenever possible, LVMC utilizes contracts negotiated through Vizient, the hospital's Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), to leverage competitive pricing and standardized purchasing practices. When sourcing new products or services, qualified suppliers are evaluated through a structured review process that may include product demonstrations, clinical evaluations, financial analysis, regulatory and compliance review, and assessment of the supplier's ability to meet the hospital's operational requirements. For products that require clinical review or have a significant financial impact, recommendations may also be evaluated through the hospital's Value Analysis process to ensure alignment with patient care, operational efficiency, and financial stewardship. LVMC is committed to maintaining a fair and competitive procurement process that encourages participation from qualified suppliers, including women-owned, minority-owned, LGBT-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and other diverse business enterprises. Supplier diversity is considered as part of the sourcing process whenever practical and consistent with the organization's quality, service, operational, and fiscal requirements. The hospital continues to enhance its procurement capabilities through its recently implemented materials management system, which improves supplier management, purchasing workflows, and reporting capabilities. These enhancements support greater transparency, operational efficiency, and informed procurement decision-making while helping ensure the hospital delivers safe, high-quality care to the communities it serves.

Website Link(s)

https://www.lompocvmc.com/about/

Do you require suppliers to be certified?

No

Do you accept self-certification

No

7. Diverse Supplier Spending

Diverse Procurement Spending by Minority

For the reporting period, enter the dollar amounts procured by your hospital from those business enterprises that employ the majority of their workforce in California.

Diverse Procurement Spending by Other

For the reporting period, enter the dollar amounts procured by your hospital from those business enterprises that employ the majority of their workforce in California.

What is your hospital's total procurement (including diverse and non-diverse suppliers)?

$20,251,815

Procurement means the purchase or lease of supplies, services, equipment, and capital expenditures related to buildings and fixed equipment during the previous calendar year. Procurement does not include items such as employee salaries and wages, fixed asset depreciation, amortization, or taxes.

8. Supplier Point of Contact

Enter the contact information for the individual that business enterprises who are interested in contracting with your facility can reach out to.

Name: Lindsey Arevalos

Enter the contact information for the individual of the diverse business outreach liaison of your hospital.

Name: Lindsey Arevalos

Hospital Contacts for Diverse Business Enterprises are available upon request. Please send request via email to supplier.diversity@hcai.ca.gov

9. Third Party Procurement

Third Party Procurement

• Vizient Inc
• https://www.vizientinc.com/

Looking for Related Reports?

• Equity Measures Hospital Report
• Hospital Profile
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