Supplier Diversity Overview
A Welcome from Michael Dell
Dell's key differentiator is our direct-to-customer business model — building superior, direct customer relationships with an increasingly diverse marketplace.
Because Dell deals directly with our customers, eliminating the middleman, we can deliver the best price for performance, build customized systems featuring the latest technology, and provide award-winning, tailored customer service. Dell follows the same barrier-free model in our relationships with employees and suppliers. Our direct culture fosters innovation, creativity and solutions — making Dell the computer technology supplier of choice for customers around the world. And we depend on the contributions of diverse suppliers to support our teams and serve our customers.
To register with Dell Supplier Diversity and learn more about current partnership opportunities, please click around our Supplier Diversity web pages
Thanks for your interest.
Michael
About Dell Supplier Diversity: Building Partnerships for Better Business
Supplier diversity nurtures the connection between our employees and our customers. More than simply considering minorities by population, we search for and include the many qualified businesses whose ideas might otherwise not be represented. Their ideas help Dell raise the bar for great products and service.
Our Supplier Diversity Team is committed to providing equal access to procurement opportunities for qualified small, minority- and women-owned businesses in the U.S. We audit and tie compensation to supplier diversity. Beyond driving spend with our diverse suppliers, we offer supplier coaching and an Executive Mentorship program to further support the growth of our diverse suppliers. These efforts work together to make Dell a stronger company by strengthening grassroots support for the Dell brand, helping supplier companies grow and reaching more customers.
Success — Direct Talk
One year after we launched our Direct Talk program, 50 percent of participants have been recruited to participate in the Request for Quotation process. The program was designed to connect qualified, diversely owned companies with Dell representatives to discuss purchasing opportunities available in the next six to 12 months.
Challenges
During an economic downturn accentuated by streamlining operations and consolidation across a global supply base, our challenge is to maximize the use of diverse suppliers and maintain a pipeline of diverse suppliers that can scale with Dell long term. As we consolidate our spend to the fewer original design manufacturers that can support our scale, we must constantly develop strategies that create opportunities for diverse suppliers. For us, supplier diversity is more than simply meeting compliance requirements — it’s smart business in an increasingly diverse economy.
How To Engage Dell
We provide several opportunities for diverse suppliers to engage with Dell.
- Online registration — to start the process, please register with us (include the link to the registration page)
- Outreach events — meet Dell’s Supplier Diversity team at the outreach events (include the link to the event page)
- Direct talk — a forum held regularly on Dell campus for pre-qualified diverse suppliers to learn about six to 12 months Dell procurement opportunities and have direct dialogues with Dell procurement executives and managers.
- Mentor Protégé’ program — Dell executives and procurement managers mentor existing diverse suppliers to help enhance their capabilities and competitiveness.
What We Look For In Our Suppliers
Diverse companies that meet Dell's procurement specifications and standards of excellence have an opportunity to partner with Dell in delivering quality products and services to Dell and its customers. Some of the qualities we look for in our suppliers are:
- Cost competitiveness
- Understanding of Dell's business
- Proven track record and references
- Good financial standing
- Ability to conduct business electronically (via e-mail and Internet)
- Competitive advantage and "value-added" capabilities
- Ability to grow with Dell
- Core competency in supplier's line of business
- Technological capabilities (hardware and software)
- For production suppliers — Continuity of supply strategy
- For production suppliers — Quality processes (ISO 9000 or equivalent)
- Diverse supplier certification by a third-party — Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Small Business Administration 8(a) Program (SBA 8(a)), Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-owned Small Business (VOSB), Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (DVOSB), Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE), and/or Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
Who Qualifies As A Diverse Supplier — Diverse Supplier Classification Definitions
Small Business Concern (SB)
A small business concern is as defined pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act and relevant regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Generally, this means a small business concern organized for profit, which is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operations in which it is bidding and meets the size standards as prescribed in government regulations.
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
A small business concern (a) which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual, or in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of that business' stock is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB)
A small business concern (a) which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women, or in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of that business' stock is owned by one or more woman; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more woman.
Veteran-owned Small Business (VOSB)
Veteran-owned Small Business (VOSB) is a business which is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more veteran or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veteran; and (b) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veteran. The term "veteran" has the meaning defined in 38 U.S.C. 101
Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (DVOSB)
Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (DVOSB) is a business which is not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more disabled veterans; and (b) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more disabled veteran. The term "veteran" has the meaning defined in 38 U.S.C. 101.
HUBZone Small Business Concern (HUBZone)
This program is based on the geographical area where your business is located and where 35 percent of your employees reside. The company must be small, located in a HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone), owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen(s), and at least 35 percent of its employees reside in a HUBZone.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
A U.S.-based business concern (a) which is at least 51 percent owned by minorities, or in the case of any publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of that business' stock is owned by one or more minority; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the minority individuals who own it. Minority persons include African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Pacific Americans, Asian-Indian Americans and Native Americans.
Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
A U.S.-based business concern (a) which is at least 51 percent owned by women, or in the case of any publicly-owned business, at least 51 percent of that business' stock is owned by one or more women; and (b) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the women who own it.