SWaM Program: Small, Women-Owned, and Minority-Owned businesses

Start Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2022 10:00:00 EDT

In continuing efforts to strengthen community engagement, EVMS partners with  the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity  (SBSD) to reach local Small, Women-Owned, and Minority-Owned businesses (SWaM), which contribute to regional economies by providing growth, innovation and employment opportunities.

As such, EVMS will host a SWaM Certification Application Info Session on Wednesday,  Sept. 28.  The in-person event will cover the state’s  SWaM Program, its online application portal, the required documents to apply and how to use the certification to compete and grow sales.

Know a SWaM business that wants to supply EVMS?  Let them know about these events and encourage participation.  EVMS seeks to buy and contract with SWaM whenever feasible.

 Best-practice reminders:

• Solicit quotes from SWaM whenever they are potential sources of products or service. Find local SWaM on the  SBSD Directory Listing.
• Include SWaM on RFP solicitations and among selection criteria.
• Divide total requirement, when economically feasible, into smaller pieces so SWaM are able to handle scope of work.
• Establish delivery schedules (i.e. timing and flexibility) to encourage participation by SWaM.

Together, we can strengthen our community through diversity in procurement and contracting.  

Know a SWaM business that wants to supply EVMS?  Let them know about these events and encourage participation.  EVMS seeks to buy and contract with SWaM whenever feasible.

 Best-practice reminders:

• Solicit quotes from SWaM whenever they are potential sources of products or service. Find local SWaM on the  SBSD Directory Listing.
• Include SWaM on RFP solicitations and among selection criteria.
• Divide total requirement, when economically feasible, into smaller pieces so SWaM are able to handle scope of work.
• Establish delivery schedules (i.e. timing and flexibility) to encourage participation by SWaM.

Together, we can strengthen our community through diversity in procurement and contracting.  For questions on SWaM utilization or sourcing assistance, contact  Neal Dewing