In an effort to illuminate the evolving landscape of supplier diversity, the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) has sponsored a new report, Supplier Diversity in State and Local Agencies: Review of Current Perspectives, Policies and Practices. The Simplar Foundation, known for bridging the gap between industry professionals and academia, conducted this comprehensive analysis.

Supplier diversity continues to be a topic of significant discussion among states, with each state at a different phase of developing or implementing these programs. The approaches and breadth of these initiatives vary widely from state to state. Recognizing the complexity of this landscape, NASPO has funded this research to gain deeper insights into the various state-level strategies and practices surrounding supplier diversity.

“The research team was fortunate to interface with dozens of procurement groups at the state and local levels in addition to hearing perspectives from suppliers. The resulting study gathered insights not only for launching effective DEI-related procurement programs, but also actionable tips for public agencies to continue maturing their existing programs to achieve greater levels of success,” said Brian Lines, Ph.D., P.E., FMP, Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering for the University of Kansas.

While NASPO has sponsored this research to benefit its members and the larger public procurement community, it does not endorse states adopting or mandating supplier diversity programs. “Our goal is to support state offices wherever they stand on the supplier diversity spectrum,” said Matt Oyer, NASPO’s Chief Learning Officer. “By sponsoring this study, we’re providing a resource that enhances our members’ knowledge base and seeks to empower states with the information they need to make informed decisions based on their own goals.”

To access the report, please click here.

To learn more about the Simplar Foundation, please visit www.simplarfoundation.org.

About NASPO: The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. To learn more, please visit www.naspo.org.

Media Contact: 
Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications, NASPO
kdavila@naspo.org