Equitable Procurement Program
Dollar sign with arrows in left and right direction (Image Courtesy Adobe Stock(
In response to a deep need for more inclusivity and fairness in institutional purchasing, the Center for Shared Prosperity at Carnegie Mellon University established an Equitable Procurement Program aimed at fostering equitable, diverse, and socially responsible purchasing. This initiative emphasizes transparent, unbiased, and inclusive procurement practices to benefit a wider range of suppliers, focusing particularly on locally-owned small businesses.
The program has emphasized comprehensive strategies, including a meticulous review of existing procurement policies and engagement with diverse suppliers through collaboration with local partners. Additionally, our partners have undertaken capacity-building interventions and workshops, ensuring suppliers from varied backgrounds are well-informed and equipped to participate in procurement opportunities. We aim to continue supporting other institutions in cultivating equitable procurement practices and contributing to broader social equity goals.
We worked in close coordination with the BEAM Collaborative and the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation in conjunction with these locally owned businesses to develop a website to facilitate purchasing. At GoLocal, businesses can be filtered to more easily identify suitable choices for food allergies or services like delivery and large event catering.
