Minority and Female Business Enterprise Supplier Diversity Program (MAFBE)
Program Summary
The Minority and Female Business Enterprise Supplier Diversity Program (MAFBE) is a University initiative committed to vendor diversification by ensuring that businesses with ownership meeting the definitions of “minority,” “female,” and “persons with disabilities,” are included in the University procurement process. The Supplier Diversity Program (MAFBE) provides access to procurement opportunities by creating an equitable and competitive business environment through encouraging campus departments to proactively consider qualified certified businesses owned by minorities, females and persons with disabilities for their contracting needs.
The State of Illinois declares that it is the public policy of the State to promote and encourage the continuing economic development of minority, female and persons with disabilities owned businesses and are provided the opportunity to participate in the State’s procurement process as both prime and subcontractors.
Designed to encourage state agencies and universities to purchase needed goods and services from businesses owned and controlled minorities, females and persons with disabilities, the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Person with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS575) became effective 8/28/94.
To comply with guidelines established by BEP, the University has set goals of allocating a certain percentage of its purchasing contracts to qualifying businesses.
Application and Certification Process
Only Illinois certified vendors are recognized by the University’s Supplier Diversity Program (MAFBE). The only agencies authorized to qualify or certify MAFBE businesses are:
Certification requirements include, but are limited to firms whose minority, female and persons with disabilities ownerships is at least 51%; and control of management and daily business operations of the firm by the minority, female or persons with disabilities owners.
Reporting Requirements
The University submits two annual reports to BEP/CMS every fiscal year:
- Compliance Plan – outlines the goals of the University’s for contracting with businesses owned by minorities, females and persons with disabilities for the current fiscal year.
- Expenditure Report – outlines the University’s achievement of its goal from the previous fiscal year.
Although only state-funded appropriations are used to calculate the Supplier Diversity (MAFBE) goals, the University tracks all Supplier Diversity (MAFBE) expenditures from all sources of funds. This is noted in the annual report submitted to the State.
Last Updated: October 26, 2012