Supplier diversity

IBM's Diverse Supplier Certification Requirements

IBM recognizes that a diverse supplier base is integral to company profitability and strategic objectives--solidifying the connection between customer satisfaction and winning in the marketplace. IBM's supplier diversity program expands purchasing opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, gay and lesbian, veterans and service disabled veterans, and disabled persons. Purchasing opportunities are also expanded for our non-profit organizations that hire disabled persons and for HUBZone companies.

Building and maintaining a community of diverse suppliers increases IBM's opportunity to hear new ideas, apply different approaches, and gain access to additional solutions that respond to customer needs. Such collaboration helps IBM deliver innovation, quality products, and world-class service to a growing global marketplace.

Minority owned businesses are defined as being at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals from any of the following ethnic groups: Black, Hispanic, Native (including Eskimo and Native Hawaiians) and Asian Americans; or is "minority controlled" by 30% of its voting stock, board of directors and management.

Women owned businesses are defined as being at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women.

GLBT owned businesses are defined as being at least 51% owned by one or more gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered individuals.

Suppliers that wish to have minority owned, women owned or HUBZone business designation within IBM's systems must provide appropriate certification(s). Suppliers must acquire and maintain valid certification(s) from the following agencies and/or associations, as appropriate. Where multiple designations apply multiple certifications from multiple agencies/associations are required.

Michael K. Robinson,
Global Supplier Diversity program director

If you would like to register your company as a diverse supplier in one of our Supplier Diversity Registration portals, please complete the appropriate registration document, and send to the designated E-mail address listed below. Potential diverse suppliers are reviewed and identified using the data contained in the form. Only fully completed forms will be considered. Note that completion of this form does not guarantee future business.

Commodity	Registration form	Send completed form to:
All commodities except technical services	IBM Diverse Supplier Registration (191KB)	ibmsd@us.ibm.com
Technical services - provides contractors to perform programming, systems analysts, customer and system engineers, designers, technicians, computer room operators, testers, database managers, and technical writers	None - only tier 2 opportunities available. IBM has contracts in place with a team of core suppliers that support our constant and dynamic global demands. You are encouraged to partner with IBM's current core suppliers to pursue 2nd tier opportunities by sending a note requesting "how to become a tier two supplier to IBM" to the E-mail address listed at the right.	supinfo@us.ibm.com
U.S. Federal procurement	To register as a potential U.S. federal supplier, please visit the Supplier Connection Web site to the right.	Supplier Connection

If you have any questions or require any details about our supplier diversity program, please contact the appropriate program manager from the list below: