Amtrak supplier diversity program

BNSF's supplier diversity program started as a strategic sourcing initiative in the late s and now is part of the Class I's corporate diversity initiative. Three years ago, BNSF began encouraging suppliers to spend more with minority and women-owned companies. Small Business Administration SBA , and affiliates of those organizations at regional and state levels. To participate in supplier diversity programs, businesses must be certified as a minority business enterprise MBE , women's business enterprise WBE or small disadvantaged business through a qualifying agency.

The railroad purchases a variety of services and supplies through the program, including fuel and maintenance services. Today, the railroad conducts business with about diverse suppliers, with "diverse" defined by ethnicity and gender, says Jacqueline White, assistant vice president of strategic sourcing of UP's supply group. For its suppliers, the UP program offers competitive opportunities, business networking and guidance and the potential for professional development education.

Last year, the railroad co-sponsored a minority-owned firm's president to attend the Kellogg School of Management's Advanced Management Education Program at Northwestern University. The Class I's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. The award recognized UP for its efforts to increase and improve its relationships with minority suppliers and help other companies understand the value of supplier diversity.

About 80 percent of NS' diverse business is with women-owned firms. In addition to Class Is, passenger railroads are casting a wider purchasing net. Many passenger roads, which rely on public funding, have been doing it for years.

At Amtrak , a supplier diversity program has been in place since The program provides procurement opportunities ranging from common hardware, electrical, plumbing, cleaners and solvents, tools and shop supplies, to fuels and lubricants delivered to storage tanks or directly to locomotives across the United States, says Walt Livingston, Amtrak's director of supplier diversity.

Please take a moment to register your firm in Amtrak's Supplier Directory. You are not required to register or to be listed in the Amtrak Supplier Directory to conduct business with Amtrak; however, you are encouraged to register to facilitate the likelihood of your firm being included on bidder's lists for prospective Solicitations when requirements arise. Please click the Vendor Registration button below to register your firm.

For a preview of all pages of the vendor registration form, please click here. It is important to include as many relevant keywords and phrases as possible -- that is how we conduct our searches. To begin the registration process, use the "Register your company" link above. You will need to have the following information readily available:.

Please ensure that your profile is updated regularly, including your keywords. It is the supplier's responsibility to keep their registration profile, certification and documentation current. Expired certifications may be removed from the database without prior notice. Any questions can be directed to supplierdiversity capitalone.