Diversity Initiatives

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to fostering a diverse supplier base. The Supplier Diversity Program or Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, is designed to ensure that businesses of diverse backgrounds and ownership have the opportunity to become valued suppliers as a means of improving the general economic well-being of the community and functioning of our local and national economies.

The University’s Supplier Diversity Programs strive to increase the availability of meaningful business opportunities afforded to diverse suppliers by increasing the level of goods and services provided to the University by diverse business enterprises.

University-wide Contracted DBE suppliers

View the directory of contracted suppliers, and filter by “DBE”.

Non-contracted DBE Suppliers

This includes suppliers who have requested inclusion on our list and for whom we are able to verify a DBE status through a certifying organization.

Many of the Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) suppliers listed below have been certified by one or more of the recognized certifying organizations (Small Business Administration, Commonwealth of PA, Allegheny County, Port Authority of Allegheny County, Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council, National Association of Women Business Owners). Some suppliers have chosen to self-certify as permitted under federal guidelines.

The suppliers included in the table below are recommended when DBE Contracted Suppliers are not available and when research grants require the utilization of DBE suppliers.

Should you have requirements for commodities not listed here, please email Jennifer Barnes, Diversity and Sustainability Coordinator.

Listing of Non-Contracted Suppliers

Commodity/Service	Supplier	Certifying Organization
Advertisement	New Pittsburgh Courier	EMSDC
Artwork	Corporate Art LLC	WBENC
Facilities Supplies	Christman Chemicals	PA UCP
Facilities Supplies	RS Supply LLC	EMSDC
Laundry Service	Strong II Dry Cleaners	EMSDC
Mailing Services	C&C Mailing Service Contact: Molly Wawrzynsk, Owner email: molly@ccmailing.com Ph: 724-443-5933 Services Offered: Direct Mailing Services; Pickup & Delivery' Data Conversion & Preparation Purchasing Method: PantherExpress System - Standard Form	PA UCP
Office Technology/ Copiers	Neo Technologies	SBA
Office Technology/ Copiers	Hi-Tech Laser Systems Computer & related products (HP)
Photography	Fred Kenderson Photography Ph: 412-965-9907	EMSDC
Printing and Graphics	Hart Printing & Lithographing Co. Ph: 412-481-9100	WBENC
Printing and Graphics	CDI Printing	EMSDC
Scientific Chemicals	Barber's Chemicals Inc.
Scientific Chemicals	Manuta Chemical Consulting, Inc.	SBA
Scientific Supplies & Equipment	District Healthcare Ph: 301-918-0200	SBA
Scientific Supplies & Equipment	Pacer Scientific Instruments	NAWBO
Scientific Supplies & Equipment	The McConnell Group Francis Betancourt \| 301-309-8310 x 1749 Nicole McConnell Hrescak \| 301-3098310 x 1744 Ernest M. Glover \| 609-680-1642	SBA & EMSDC
Scientific & Medical Supplies	EMSCO Scientific Enterprises, Inc. Contact: Sylvia Holmes email: sfisher@emscoscientific.com Ph: 215-477-5601 Fax: 215-477-2526	SBA & EMSDC
Scientific & Medical Supplies	Laboratory Product Sales (LPS) Contact: Frank Meleca, President email: frank@LPSinc.com Ph: 800-388-0166
Services - Consulting	(The) Bradley Partnerships, Inc. Human Resources Consulting Firm Lois Bradley, Founder and President 724-799-8170 \| info@bradleypartnerships.com	NAWBO
Services - Consulting	CNI Inc. IT consulting	SBA
Services - Consulting	Conformance Technologies Engineering & technical support	NAWBO
Services - Consulting	Environmental Data Validation Inc. Environmental, public health, scientific research and consulting services. Contact: Dr. Maxine Wright-Walters Phone: 412-242-5200 Fax-412-242-5210	SBA PA UCP
Services - Consulting	IBEX IT Business Experts Tracey Grace, President and CEO 678-752-7542 x101 \| tgrace@ibexpartners.com	SBA WBENC EMSDC
Services - Consulting	Koryak Consulting, Inc. IT consulting	EMSDC
Services - Consulting	Logix-Guru IT consulting and engineering management	EMSDC
Services - Consulting	Multi-Lynx Companies, Inc Civil engineering, Computer information systems and technology	EMSDC
Services - Consulting	SpectraGenetics, LLC Genotyping
Services - Consulting	Advantus Engineers Engineers	SBA
Services - Consulting	McFarland Technology Software Development	SBA
Services - Consulting	Graphics 22 Signs, Inc. Signs & trophies	PA UCP
Services - Consulting	Sci-Tek Consultants Engineering consultants	PA UCP
Services - Consulting	Zoltun Design Graphic Design, Marketing, Website Development Contact: Judy Field: judy@zoltun.com
Services - Moving	Stokes Moving and Storage	EMSDC & SBA

Certifying Organizations

NAWBO: National Association of Woman Business Owners
NMSDC: National Minority Supplier Development Council
PA UCP: Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program
SBA: Small Business Administration
EMSDC: Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council
WBENC: Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

Tools for Finding DBE Suppliers

PRISM Search DBE Suppliers Tool

This tool lists all available suppliers from whom any individual purchaser across the University has purchased and whose Supplier Verification Form indicated a diversity business enterprise status. It does not indicate whether the supplier is contracted or non-contracted, however most will be non-contracted and require the use of a Non-Catalog Standard Form for goods purchases or a Services Agreement or Contract Entry Form for services purchases in the PantherExpress System.

To access the search tool enter the PRISM application from your my.pitt.edu page and select "Pitt Supplier View." The link to "Search DBE Suppliers" will appear. You can also search for either diversity or DBE from my.pitt.edu or find the link in the PantherExpress System welcome messages.

You can use the tool to search for specific suppliers to confirm status or view all suppliers by DBE designation. This tool is useful for completing your Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

Questions about the tool should be directed to Pitt IT's Helpdesk or 412-624-HELP (4357).

External Resources

PA Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) - the PAUCP online database is a list of any company that has been certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Use this system to search for DBEs using keywords or NAICS codes. You can also search by city or zip code for location-based inquiries.
African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA (AACCWP) - the AACCWP is a regional organization that provides a directory of their members on this online tool. Most AACCWP members are local, Black-owned companies, but several larger majority supporters are listed in the membership directory as well.
Cocoapreneur - is a crowd-sourced, online directory of Black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh. This is a great tool to use if you’re searching for boutique, creative firms or want to conduct a search of businesses within specific neighborhoods.

Obtaining Certification

The University of Pittsburgh accepts Disadvantaged, Minority-owned, Woman-owned, Veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and HUBZone certifications from several certifying organizations. Contact each resource directly for instructions and more information.

List of Certifying Organizations

Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP)
- Free, public, DBE certification administered locally through Allegheny County Department of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
- Visit PA UCP Certification
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- National organization with regional chapters
- Visit MBE Certification
SBA 8(a) certification run by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- This certification is for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities
- Visit certify.SBA.gov
WOSB
- Women-owned Small Business Certification managed by the SBA
- Visit certify.sba.gov
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Certification for woman-owned businesses
- Visit wbenc.org
LGBTQ-owned business
- Certification managed through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- Visit nglcc.org
Service Disabled Veteran or Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB/VOSB)
- Vets First Verification Program run by the Department of Veteran Affairs
- Visit va.gov
HUBZone
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone certification for businesses in economically depressed communities administered by the SBA
- Visit certify.sba.gov
Regional Public Certifying Agency: if your company is based outside of Allegheny County, we suggest contacting your city, county, or state department of transportation authorities for information about public certification programs.

Helpful Definitions

Diversity Business Enterprise (DBE)

A "Diversity Business Enterprise" is a business owned/operated by a minority that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) unconditionally owned by one or more minority individuals or women who are both socially and economically diverse, or a publicly owned business that has at least fifty-one percent (51%) of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more such individuals and that has its management and daily business controlled by one or more such individuals. Individuals who certify that they are a member of named groups, i.e. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives (Eskimos and Aleuts) and Asian and Pacific Island Americans are to be considered socially and economically diverse.

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

A "Minority Business Enterprise" is intended to mean a business concern owned by one or more minority individuals that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) unconditionally owned by one or more minority individuals, or a publicly owned business that has at least fifty-one percent (51%) of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more such individuals and that has its management and daily business controlled by one or more such individuals. Individuals who certify that they are a member of named groups, i.e. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives (Eskimos and Aleuts) and Asian and Pacific Island Americans are to be considered socially and economically disadvantaged.

Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

A "Women-Owned Business Enterprise" is intended to mean a business concern owned by one or more women that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) unconditionally owned by one or more women, or a publicly owned business that has at least fifty-one percent (51%) of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more such individuals and that has its management and daily business controlled by one or more such individuals.