Supplier Diversity

Mission
Our mission is to maximize procurement opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses by proactively seeking qualified suppliers, building sound partnerships with, and competitively purchasing from M/WBEs.

Policy
HCSC's policy is to provide maximum opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate as suppliers, contractors, and sub-contractors. Our mission and policy statements embody our commitment to be a leader in supplier diversity and an active participant in the local communities in which we serve.

Principles
The reputation of Health Care Service Corporation is built on trust. Those who do business with us know we are committed to managing our business with a consistent set of values that represent the highest standards of quality, integrity, excellence, and respect for the diverse communities, which we operate. We seek to develop relationships with suppliers that share similar values and conduct business in an ethical manner.

Classifications


Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
A business is classified as a minority business enterprise if the company is at least 51 percent owned, controlled and operated by one or more individuals from a minority group. The following describes the classified minority groups:

African Americans:
A U.S. citizen who is of Black racial groups from the origins of Africa.

Asian-Indian:
A U.S. citizen whose origins are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Asia-Pacific:
A U.S. citizen whose origins are from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas.

Hispanic Americans:
A U.S. citizen who is of Spanish culture from the origins of Mexico, South or Central America or the Caribbean Island.

Native Americans:
A person who is a American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian.

Woman Business Enterprise (WBE):
A business is classified as a woman business enterprise if the company is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women.

Veteran/Disabled Veteran:
A veteran is any person who has had not less than ninety (90) calendar days of active service in the armed forces of the United States during any period covered by a selective service law and who has received an honorable discharge or other suitable evidence of honorable active service.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone:
An entity with its principal place of business in Texas, and is at least 51 percent owned by an African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native Americna and/or American woman who reside in Texas and have a proportionate interest and demonstrate active participation in the control, operations, and management of the entity's affairs.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT):
A business is classified as LGBT if the company is at least 51 percent owned,controlled, and operated by one or more principals who are either Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender.

Certifications

HCSC seeks to do business with firms located in the states in which we operate. Suppliers are encouraged to provide proof of certification. HCSC will monitor vendor certifications on a regular basis. A certification from one of the following organizations is preferred, although local/state certifications are also acceptable.

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)* new window icon
1040 Ave. of the Americas , 2nd Floor, New York , NY 10018
www.nmsdcus.org
Phone: (212) 944-2430
Certifies minority-owned businesses
NMSDC has 39 affiliate offices located nationwide.

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)*new window icon
1710 H. Street, N.W. , 7th Floor Washington, D.C. 20006
www.wbenc.org
Phone: (202) 872-5515
Certifies women-owned businesses
WBENC has 12 affiliate offices located nationwide.

National Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)*new window icon
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW , 7th Floor North Washington, DC 20004
www.nglcc.org
Phone: (202) 661-3326
Certifies Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender (GLBT)-owned businesses

Small Business Administration 8(a) Program*new window icon
26 Federal Plaza
New York , NY 10278
Pros UyBarreta
www.sba.gov
Phone: (212) 264-4322

Newsletter

The Business Link newsletter provides useful, up-to-date information that illustrates HCSC's commitment to diverse supplier inclusion.

Contact Us

Health Care Service Corporation
Attn: Supplier Diversity
300 East Randolph Street, Fourth Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5099
(312) 938-4209 (fax)
Email (Supplier_Diversity@bcbsil.com)