Supplier Diversity Policy Program

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Supplier Diversity Policy Program
Protecting HIS Security Services (PHSS)

Introduction:

At Protecting HIS Security Services (PHSS), we believe that diversity is not just a social ideal—it is a business imperative and a spiritual calling. As a faith-based, community-rooted organization, we recognize the importance of equity and inclusivity in all areas of our operations, including procurement and vendor relations. Our Supplier Diversity Policy Program is a critical component of our broader commitment to economic empowerment, ethical business practices, and strengthening underserved communities. Through this program, we actively seek and support partnerships with diverse suppliers who share our values of integrity, excellence, and stewardship.This Supplier Diversity Policy outlines PHSS's approach to fostering a robust, inclusive supply chain that reflects the diverse world we serve. It ensures that businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities have equitable access to compete for opportunities with our company. Our goal is to honor God in all that we do, including the way we do business—with fairness, compassion, and purpose.

Program Objectives:

The objectives of the PHSS Supplier Diversity Program are as follows:

1. Promote Inclusion: Ensure that diverse suppliers have equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of PHSS’s procurement processes.
2. Expand Economic Opportunity: Empower businesses from historically underrepresented communities through meaningful engagement, mentorship, and contracting opportunities.
3. Enhance Business Value: Increase competition and innovation within our supply chain to drive quality, creativity, and cost-effectiveness.
4. Uplift Communities: Strengthen the economic health of local communities in North Carolina, Georgia, and beyond by supporting small, disadvantaged, and faith-aligned enterprises.
5. Reflect Our Values: Live out our mission of protecting everyone and everything God created by ensuring our procurement policies reflect justice, mercy, and humility.

Definition of Diverse Suppliers:

For the purposes of this policy, a diverse supplier is defined as a business that is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more individuals from the following categories:

• Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American, or Subcontinent Asian American)
• Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
  (Businesses owned and controlled by women)
• Veteran-Owned Business (VOB)
  (Including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business - SDVOSB)
• LGBTQ+ Owned Business Enterprise
• Disability-Owned Business Enterprise
• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
  (As defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Faith-Based or Community-Based Enterprises
  (Organizations with a defined mission to serve underprivileged or marginalized groups in alignment with Christian values of love and service)

PHSS recognizes both self-certified and third-party certified suppliers. We encourage vendors to pursue certification through reputable agencies such as:

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
• Disability:IN
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• State and local government diversity certification programs

Policy Statement:

PHSS is committed to proactively identifying, partnering with, and growing relationships with diverse suppliers. We will:

• Provide equal opportunity for qualified diverse suppliers to compete for business.
• Incorporate supplier diversity goals into our strategic sourcing plans.
• Maintain a database of diverse vendors and actively seek new entrants to our supply chain.
• Include supplier diversity considerations in all major procurement decisions.
• Educate internal stakeholders on the value and implementation of supplier diversity initiatives.
• Develop mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations and advocacy groups that support supplier diversity.
• Track and report on our supplier diversity performance annually.

Guiding Biblical Principles:

Our Supplier Diversity Program is rooted in scripture and guided by the following spiritual principles:

• Justice & Equity — “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” — Isaiah 1:17
• Stewardship & Responsibility — “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” — 1 Peter 4:10
• Love & Community — “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16
• Dignity & Worth — “So God created mankind in His own image…” — Genesis 1:27

By embracing these principles, PHSS affirms the value of all people and seeks to break down economic and systemic barriers that hinder equitable participation in the marketplace.

Procurement Practices and Processes 

PHSS will integrate supplier diversity into all phases of the procurement process, including:

Vendor Sourcing:

• Utilize supplier diversity directories, local chambers, faith-based networks, and community organizations to source diverse suppliers.
• Attend supplier diversity trade shows and events to identify new vendors.

Qualification & Vetting:

• Establish fair and consistent criteria for evaluating vendors.
• Accept a range of diversity certifications and encourage mentorship opportunities for non-certified businesses.

Request for Proposals (RFPs):

• Include language in RFPs encouraging participation from diverse suppliers.
• Where applicable, allow for joint ventures or subcontracting with diverse suppliers as part of major projects.

Contracts & Awards:

• Ensure that at least 25% of our annual procurement spend is with certified or verifiable diverse suppliers.
• Evaluate vendor proposals with a portion of the scoring criteria weighted toward supplier diversity contributions.

Performance Evaluation:

• Monitor the performance of diverse suppliers for quality, reliability, innovation, and adherence to PHSS’s values.
• Provide feedback and coaching to help vendors grow and succeed.

Mentorship and Capacity Building:

We recognize that many diverse suppliers may face unique challenges in scaling their businesses. PHSS will implement a Supplier Development & Mentorship Initiative to:

• Pair emerging vendors with experienced suppliers or PHSS team members for business development coaching.
• Offer workshops on government contracting, financial literacy, cybersecurity, and compliance.
• Provide access to legal and accounting resources where possible.
• Host quarterly vendor engagement sessions to encourage ongoing dialogue and relationship-building.

This initiative will help ensure that small, local, or disadvantaged suppliers are not only able to win contracts—but are equipped to sustain and grow.

Internal Roles and Responsibilities  

Executive Leadership:

• Set the tone and accountability framework for supplier diversity from the top.
• Approve annual goals and strategic partnerships related to the program.

Procurement Team:

• Actively source, evaluate, and track diverse suppliers.
• Report progress quarterly and make recommendations for process improvements.

Department Managers:

• Support departmental purchasing decisions that align with supplier diversity objectives.
• Encourage staff to recommend diverse suppliers in local markets.

Diversity & Inclusion Lead / HR:

• Collaborate with procurement to offer training and education around inclusive sourcing.
• Ensure diversity values are embedded in corporate culture and decision-making.

Faith & Community Engagement Officer:

• Liaise with faith-based institutions and nonprofits to identify community-based suppliers.
• Provide spiritual counsel and community outreach through the lens of marketplace ministry.

Monitoring, Measurement & Reporting:

To ensure transparency and accountability, PHSS will maintain robust tracking systems to monitor the effectiveness of the Supplier Diversity Program. This will include:

• Quarterly Reports on diverse supplier spend by category and region.
• Annual Supplier Diversity Scorecard reviewed by executive leadership.
• Impact Reports shared with stakeholders to highlight success stories, community impact, and challenges.

Metrics will include:

• Total and percentage spend with diverse suppliers
• Number of new diverse vendors added to our network
• Retention and performance rates of diverse vendors
• Mentorship hours provided and business growth outcomes

Community Partnerships and Advocacy:

PHSS will actively collaborate with local and national organizations to support supplier diversity advocacy, including:

• Black Chamber of Commerce
• Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI)
• Minority and Women Business Development Centers (MWBDC)
• State-level veterans' associations
• Local HBCUs and faith-based colleges with entrepreneurship programs

By doing so, PHSS not only supports supplier diversity internally but contributes to systemic change externally.

Challenges and Continuous Improvement:

We acknowledge that implementing a comprehensive Supplier Diversity Program is a journey, not a destination. Challenges such as certification access, capital constraints, and network limitations can disproportionately affect diverse suppliers. PHSS is committed to:

• Listening to vendor feedback
• Re-evaluating sourcing strategies annually
• Piloting new supplier programs in underrepresented markets
• Increasing educational outreach in rural and low-income communities

Conclusion:

The PHSS Supplier Diversity Policy Program is a reflection of our belief that diversity, equity, and faith are not separate from excellence—they are essential to it. As we grow, we commit to lifting others with us. We understand that every dollar we spend is a seed sown into the economic, spiritual, and communal fabric of this world.In honoring and uplifting diverse suppliers, we are not only expanding opportunity—we are protecting everyone and everything that God created.