Supplier Diversity Frequently Asked Questions

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General

• Why does PG&E have a Supplier Diversity program?
  We are committed to and support our supplier diversity program because it is essential to our company goals.
  
  "Supplier diversity is core to our vision and values at Pacific Gas and Electric Company. By having a diverse group of suppliers, we know that we have access to the very best products and services for the benefit of our customers and Company. By being inclusive of a broad range of diverse suppliers, we are also contributing to the economic development of the communities we serve." –Chris Johns, PG&E President
• Does PG&E guarantee work for women-, minority- or service disabled veteran-owned business enterprises (WMDVBE)?
  No, PG&E does not guarantee work to any supplier, but we are committed to working with diverse suppliers.
• What types of women-, minority- or service disabled veteran-owned businesses does PG&E work with?
  PG&E works with WMDVBE firms that provide services in virtually all areas, including environmental services, remediation, transportation, energy generation, marketing services, construction services, accounting services, human resources and more.
• How do women-, minority- and service disabled veteran-owned suppliers learn about upcoming opportunities to work with PG&E?
  We welcome all certified WMDVBE suppliers who want to work with us to submit a completed Supplier Registration Form. After registering, we will keep your information in our supplier database to reference when contracting opportunities become available, at which time we may contact you for a copy of your current certification documentation, along with company brochures that briefly describe your core competencies.
  
  We also encourage interested WMDVBE suppliers to become certified with the CPUC's Supplier Clearinghouse. To learn more about the CPUC's certification process, including Fast Track Verification, please visit the Supplier Clearinghouse, a CPUC-supervised certification body.
• What are the next steps after I register with Supplier Diversity?
  Once you have submitted the Supplier Registration Form, your information is made available to the PG&E procurement community and you will receive an email confirmation. We will keep your information on-hand and may contact you as opportunities become available in your area.
• I have submitted the form to register as a supplier, but I have not heard back from PG&E. What should I do next?
  You should have received an e-mail confirmation that your information has been saved in our Supplier Registration database. However, this is not a guarantee of work. If our staff has not contacted you following this e-mail confirmation, there may not be opportunities that match your company's profile at this time. We will keep your information in our database in order to be able to contact you when such opportunities become available.
  
  We also recommend that you check the Bid Opportunities section of our website for the latest updates.

Certification

• What is certification?
  Certification, assessed by a third party, determines that a business has a woman, minority or service disabled veteran ownership. Once certified with the CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse, the business is entered into a public database that is accessible to utilities and privately owned companies. WMDVBE firms enjoy a variety of benefits and competitive advantages from certification. Details are available on the Supplier Clearinghouse Benefits page.
• How do I get certified?
  Women- and minority-owned suppliers can apply for certification through the CPUC’s independent certifying body, the Supplier Clearinghouse. Detailed information about eligibility criteria and an online application form is available on its website.
  
  Service disabled veteran-owned business enterprises (DVBE) can get information about eligibility and apply for certification through the California Department of General Services (DGS). Once certified by the DGS, the applicant’s information is automatically incorporated into the CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse database.
• I have a variety of certifications from different federal, state and city municipalities. Does PG&E accept these certifications?
  While certification isn't a requirement to do business with us, we recommend that diverse suppliers obtain certification from the CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse.
• Do any of my certifications count when applying for certification with the CPUC?
  Yes. The CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse will accept certification from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). To simplify and streamline the verification process, the CPUC employs Comparable Agency Verification (CAV). For additional information about the CAV process, visit the Supplier Clearinghouse.
• How long will the certification process take?
  The average certification process can range from 45-90 days once the application is submitted to the certification agency. The length of time varies and is dependent upon whether additional information is required and the number of applications currently being processed.
  
  More information about the certification process can be found on the CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse website or by calling 1-800-848-5580.

Subcontracting

• What is subcontracting?
  Subcontracting is a general term used when your company either outsources a part of your contract with PG&E to another firm or when your company purchases products or services that will be used in fulfilling your contract with PG&E.
  
  For example, if your company purchases a connector from a minority-owned business and then uses it to manufacture widgets sold to PG&E, you are subcontracting. In this example, if the connector is 10 percent of the price of the widget, your subcontracting spend would qualify for 10 percent of minority-owned business credit.
  
  Only purchases directly connected to the products or services sold to PG&E can be reported. We call this “contract specific” subcontracting.
• Who do I contact to get set up to report subcontracting spend?
  Send an email to Perry Bumanlag to set up your user account and login ID. Only subcontractors certified by the CPUC are eligible to be counted in a prime supplier’s subcontracting spend.
• Does PG&E recommend prime suppliers use certain WMDVBE subcontractors?
  No. PG&E does not provide recommendations to prime suppliers.
• What does PG&E do to ensure that prime suppliers do business with WMDVBE subcontractors?
  We ask our prime suppliers to submit a plan detailing how they will subcontract their work to WMDVBE firms. In addition, we monitor WMDVBE participation as part of supplier performance.
• How can I locate diverse suppliers?
  There are a number of different ways to locate diverse suppliers, including in the CPUC database.
  
  Alternatively, one can check with the regional chapters of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council or the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Members of the Supplier Diversity team are also available for assistance in finding diverse suppliers at supplierdiversityteam@pge.com.
• How much do I have to subcontract?
  Subcontracting goals vary by contract. Check with your buyer for specifics.
• How do I report my subcontracting results? Can I send in a paper copy?
  Subcontracting is reported via a Web-based online reporting tool. Go to the Supplier Diversity Management System (SDMS) to begin reporting your spend. Remember, you must obtain a username and password before you can access the tool. Because PG&E tracks this spend electronically, submitting a paper copy is not an option.
• What if I forget to report my subcontracting spend last month?
  If you forget to report your subcontracting for the previous month, simply combine it with the next month’s report.
• Who can I contact for assistance while I am reporting to the SDMS?
  If you encounter a problem, please contact Perry Bumanlag.