Hospital Supplier Diversity Plans

1. Policy Statement

Supplier Diversity Policy Statement

At Providence, our Mission of compassionate care for all and our vision of Health for a Better World inspires us to foster healthy, just communities. Part of this commitment involves strengthening economic health by investing in small and local business enterprises that are part of the communities where Providence ministries serve. As anchor institutions in our communities, our care extends beyond the hospital walls, influencing community growth and economic vitality through strategic and inclusive procurement opportunities. Inclusive supplier spending is integral to our business strategy, with active collaboration among internal stakeholders and engagement in numerous industry non-profit organizations, collaboratives and outreach programs. Our executive leadership demonstrates this dedication, ensuring it resonates with all employees.

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

Our hospital is committed to enhancing inclusivity within our procurement processes, to provide equal opportunities for all suppliers. In addition to our standard business purchases, we have identified two key areas in the next 12-24 months: • Local councils embedded in each ministry meet monthly to drive initiatives that can create procurement opportunities with local, small business entities • Upcoming construction projects will provide local contracting opportunities for both prime and subcontractors, creating economic impacts in the communities where we serve

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

At Providence, we support the economic well-being of the communities we serve through ongoing efforts to maintain inclusive and accessible procurement practices, consistent with our Mission and applicable laws. We engage with a range of suppliers, industry partners, and nonprofit organizations to help sustain an equitable and representative supplier network. These efforts provide opportunities for participation by businesses that are part of our communities, including those that may experience barriers to entry. Providence incorporates inclusive practices within its supply chain processes through continued awareness, education, and engagement across procurement teams. This supports a stable and consistent framework for supplier participation. Our approach will continue to be reviewed and adjusted as appropriate to align with organizational priorities, operational needs, and the regulatory environment.

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

Providence ministries use a range of methods to support and advocate for an inclusive supplier community embedded in the populations we serve, consistent with our Mission and applicable antidiscrimination laws. To improve access for new suppliers, the Supply Chain Organization (SCO) maintains an external Supplier Information hub that provides key business information, including onboarding processes, requirements, and certification guidance, helping reduce barriers for small and local suppliers. Providence also partners with community organizations through its community health initiatives. Ministry councils collaborate with local partners to identify and connect with potential suppliers, generating referrals and expanding opportunities within the communities we serve. In addition, Providence requests Tier II supplier impact reporting from prime suppliers to encourage the use of underrepresented subcontractors and extend inclusive sourcing practices more broadly. Providence does not discriminate based on protected status in procurement opportunities. Instead, it promotes broad outreach to historically underrepresented and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses to ensure fair and equitable access to supplier opportunities.

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

Our supplier policy lays the groundwork for supplier interactions, encouraging our employees to actively engage suppliers who are part of the communities we serve throughout the contracting and procurement processes. Our councils, supported by executive leadership, reinforce this inclusive infrastructure at both ministry and division levels. To support this effort, Providence provides employees with access to resources through an internal Supplier Inclusion Program hub, which includes supplier search tools, educational materials, and industry insights from organizations such as the Small Business Administration and regional supplier councils. These resources help increase awareness and facilitate informed, equitable, and sourcing decisions. Providence continues to promote awareness through core internal communications and governance structures supported by executive leadership, helping maintain consistent, mission-aligned procurement practices. Together, these efforts are intended to foster thoughtful, mission-aligned procurement practices, encourage inclusive supplier consideration, and support fair access to opportunities for all qualified businesses.

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

For generations, Providence ministries have partnered with organizations that share our Mission to address complex challenges in the communities we serve. This commitment extends to community wealth building and supplier inclusivity. Providence conducts outreach through multiple channels, including active participation with local and national nonprofit organizations that support underrepresented business enterprises. We leverage these partnerships to expand awareness, facilitate connections, and create opportunities for all suppliers to engage with our organization. We also strengthen outreach through involvement with local chambers of commerce and community-based programs, enabling connections with suppliers in their local service areas. In California, Providence places a focused effort on aligning these activities with state-specific requirements and community needs, enhancing engagement with many different suppliers across our California ministries. By identifying new sourcing channels and facilitating supplier engagement opportunities, Providence continues to broaden access and visibility for historically underrepresented businesses. Providence remains committed to strengthening outreach and expanding partnerships with suppliers who are part of the communities we serve. This includes continued focus on building relationships with smaller, local suppliers and enhancing communication pathways to support increased participation, economic opportunity, and community resilience.

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

Alongside our non-profit partnerships mentioned in question four, our employees collaborate with procurement specialists across the industry to exchange and disseminate best practices within the procurement ecosystem. Key strategies include: • Group Purchasing Organization (GPO): We partner with health care providers nationwide and engage in inclusive supplier contracts through our GPO. • Prime Supplier Tier II Report: We advocate inclusiveness for suppliers in our supply chain and strongly encourage a Tier II supplier impact report.

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

Providence supports suppliers in navigating potential barriers through guidance incorporated into onboarding and supplier engagement processes, helping provide clarity on requirements and pathways for participation. Providence also engages with community organizations and internal partnerships to help identify potential suppliers and, where appropriate, facilitate connections or provide general support in understanding the onboarding process. We recognize that third-party certification may support supplier participation in broader contracting opportunities. To help streamline this process, Providence has implemented a digital certification feature that offers an initial pathway for suppliers interested in pursuing certification resources. Overall, Providence maintains a structured and accessible approach to supplier engagement, with ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary barriers where feasible, consistent with our Mission, operational needs, and applicable laws.

5. Diversity Commission Recommendations and Planned Implementations

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

Providence has aligned its supplier policy with the preliminary recommendations provided by the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission. Some of the key initial recommendations are: • Supplier Inclusivity Policy • Supplier Outreach and Advocacy • Industry Partnerships • Group Purchasing Organization Engagement • Prime Supplier Advocacy and Engagement

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

Providence ministries continue to support supplier engagement by partnering with a range of suppliers, industry partners, and nonprofit organizations consistent with our Mission and applicable laws. As anchor institutions in the communities we serve, Providence maintains a focus on collaborative efforts that contribute to community economic stability and access to procurement opportunities. These activities are carried out through ongoing engagement with local partners and participation in broader procurement and community initiatives. Providence will continue to assess and align its approach with relevant guidance and recommendations, maintaining practices that support fair and accessible supplier participation while adapting to evolving organizational priorities and regulatory considerations.

6. Procurement Process and Certification

Please describe your hospital's procurement process

The hospital procurement process involves several steps to ensure the acquisition of necessary goods and services in a manner that supports patient care and operational efficiency. Below is a general overview of this process: 1. Needs Assessment: This initial step involves determining the specific needs of the hospital, which can include medical supplies, equipment, services or technology. Input from various departments often is required to accurately assess and evaluate needs. 2. Specification Development: Once needs are identified, detailed specifications for the required goods or services are developed. This includes defining the quality, quantity, and technical requirements, ensuring they meet clinical and operational standards. 3. Budgeting: This step is crucial for managing financial resources effectively. 4. Supplier Identification and Evaluation: Potential suppliers are identified and evaluated based on criteria such as quality, reliability, cost, compliance with regulations. 5. Request for Proposal (RFP) or Quotation (RFQ): Depending on the contract value, the hospital may issue an RFP or RFQ to solicit bids from selected suppliers. 6. Bid Evaluation and Selection: Submitted proposals are reviewed and evaluated against set criteria. The bids are evaluated to ensure the scope is the same across all bids, and on larger projects, interviews may take place to further understand the approach and the associated cost. The decision on who receives the award is not necessarily the lowest bidder but rather the one that provides the best value. 7. Contracting: Once a supplier is selected, a formal contract is drafted and signed. 8. Order Placement: The procurement team places orders with the chosen suppliers according to the terms of the contracts. 9. Payment Processing: After successful delivery and inspection, payments are processed according to the terms set in the contract. 10. Performance Monitoring and Supplier Relationship Management: The hospital continuously monitors the performance of suppliers and maintains relationships to ensure ongoing compliance and satisfaction. This may involve regular evaluations and feedback. This process is vital to ensuring hospitals have the necessary resources to deliver high-quality patient care while adhering to budgetary and regulatory requirements.

Website Link(s)

https://www.providence.org/business/supplier-information

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)?

$73,679,500

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: Dinah Tomas

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

Name: Dinah Tomas

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
• Community Benefit Plan
• Hospital Fair Billing Policies
• Hospital Profile