Supplier Diversity
At AT&T We Value Diversity
Who We Are
Our Policy
Certification Agencies
M/W/DVBE Definitions
Training and Advocacy
Events Calendar
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
At AT&T, we recognize the importance of diversity and we value it. At the cornerstone of our diversity policy is respect for the broad spectrum of diversity that exists within our workforce and our customer base. It is our goal to strengthen and partner with our diverse business communities by contributing to their overall economic growth and to the expansion of our markets.
Our Supplier Diversity organization has the opportunity to positively affect both our company and the communities in which we do business. We are dedicated to utilizing proactive business strategies that mirror our diverse customer base while offering our suppliers access to procurement opportunities if they exist.
We want to develop mutually beneficial business relationships with Minority/Women and Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (M/W and DVBEs) by utilizing these firms as primary contractors and as subcontractors. We will also encourage our primary contractors to use M/W/DVBEs as subcontractors to further reinforce our commitment.
Supplier Diversity ... Who We Are
AT&T's Supplier Diversity organization is responsible for the development and management of the company's Supplier Diversity Initiative. The group establishes and monitors corporate M/W/DVBE objectives. Supplier Diversity works with Supply Chain and other AT&T business units to identify opportunities for qualified and certified M/W/DVBEs. We also work with our prime suppliers to locate M/W/DVBES so they can develop strategic partnerships.
At AT&T, our mission is to enhance the success of our thriving wireless business by directly contributing to the bottom line through the use of a diverse group of suppliers which reflect the company's unique and expressive customer base.
Our Policy
It is the policy and practice of AT&T to promote and increase business opportunities for Minority, Women and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (M/W/ and DVBEs) to ensure that they receive their fair market share of AT&T's total expenditures for products and services. In establishing this policy, AT&T is recognizing its commitment to the communities in which it serves and the marketplace in which it conducts business.
Strengthening the diverse business community economically contributes to the overall economic growth and expansion of our markets. Therefore, it is our objective to offer M/W/DVBEs equal access to purchasing opportunities. In addition, it is AT&T's goal to assist in developing and growing such businesses.
The Supplier Diversity Initiative is intended not only to build awareness of the social responsibility of AT&T and its employees to provide opportunities for M/W/DVBEs, but also to further the business strategy by directly affecting the bottom line.
This policy is being adopted, not as a response to outside regulatory agencies or mandatory requirements, but as an effort to strengthen ties with the communities in which AT&T does business.
Certification Agencies
- AT&T recognizes the following certifying agencies:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council
- Association for Service Disabled Veterans
- Government Agencies (Federal, State, City or County)
Other certifications may be accepted pending review by AT&T Supplier Diversity.
| M/W/DVBE Definitions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term, phrase or acronym | Definition | ||
| Women Business Enterprise (WBE) | A business which has been certified by a AT&T approved agency that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. | ||
| Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) | A business that has been certified by a AT&T approved agency that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minority individual or a minority group. Minorities include but are not limited to: | ||
| African American | A U.S. citizen whose origin is from any of the Black racial groups of Africa. | ||
| Hispanic American | A U.S. citizen of true-born Hispanic heritage (true-born meaning "authentically" or "genuinely" as per Webster), from any of the Spanish speaking areas of Latin America of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean basin. Hispanics may not have European ancestors. | ||
| Native American | A person who is an American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, or Native Hawaiian and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided through a Native American Blook Degree Certificate (for example, a tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number). | ||
| Asian-Pacific American | A U.S. citizen whose country of origin is Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific of the Northern Marianas, Indonesia, Micronesia or Polynesia. | ||
| Asian-Indian American | A U.S. citizen whose country of origin is India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. | ||
| Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) | A business that has been certified by a AT&T approved agency that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more disabled veterans. | ||
Training and Advocacy
AT&T's Supplier Diversity team has trained all levels of Supply Chain staff, from executive directors and directors to contract managers and buyers. In addition, Supplier Diversity is currently hosting quarterly forums for Supply Chain. The purpose of the training and forums is to assist in the Initiative's on going development process. Our advocacy efforts are managed and coordinated by the Supplier Diversity organization. AT&T participates in local, regional and national Supplier Diversity events which include: conferences, forums, meetings, trade fairs, awards programs and workshops. Additionally, we endeavor to work with M/W/DVBE advocacy groups to identify resources, share information and serve on boards and committees. Our participation offers us opportunities to meet and network with M/WDVBE suppliers and other corporations.
| Events Calendar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event information | ||
| There are currently no events in the schedule. | |||
Contact Us
AT&T Supplier Diversity
5565 Glenridge Connector, Ste. 1664D
Atlanta, GA 30342
Fax: 404-236-6939
Supplier Registration Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AT&T's Supplier Diversity Initiative government mandated like Affirmative Action?
Does AT&T require prime suppliers to use specific M/W/DVBE subcontractors?
Does AT&T guarantee work for M/W/DVBEs?
What kinds of M/W/DVBE businesses and services does AT&T seek?
How can suppliers register with the Supplier Diversity Organization?
What are the next steps after a company registers with Supplier Diversity?
Is AT&T's Supplier Diversity Initiative government mandated like Affirmative Action?
Our Supplier Diversity Initiative is not mandated by the government. We are committed to this business policy because we know that a diverse supplier base will add value to AT&T's overall business strategy. The suppliers who do business with AT&T must offer the highest quality products and services at competitive prices.
Does AT&T require prime suppliers to use specific M/W/DVBE subcontractors?
No, AT&T does not dictate which M/W/DVBE suppliers should be used by our prime suppliers, however our contracts do include M/W/DVBE requirements. We also require our prime suppliers, by contract, to submit a plan detailing how they will subcontract a reasonable percentage of their work to M/W/DVBE firms. In addition, we monitor M/W/DVBE participation as part of supplier performance.
Does AT&T guarantee work for M/W/DVBEs?
AT&T does not guarantee work for M/W/DVBEs. If opportunities exist, however, they will be considered as part of AT&T's supply chain process.
What kinds of M/W/DVBE businesses and services does AT&T seek?
M/W/DVBE firms work in virtually all areas of AT&T including: audio/video conferencing, building services, phones, accessories installation and maintenance, copy and reproduction services, fleet purchases and maintenance, computer hardware and software, software and data solutions, benefits auditing, leased labor services, print services, etc.
How can suppliers register with the Supplier Diversity Organization?
M/W/DVBE suppliers who want to register with AT&T Supplier Diversity should submit a completed Supplier Registration Form. If there are any opportunities to do business you will be contacted and asked to fax or e-mail current M/W/DVBE certification documentation and company brochures that briefly describe your core competencies.
What are the next steps after a company registers with Supplier Diversity?
Once the Supplier Registration Form has been evaluated it will be entered into our Supplier Information Database (SID). You will be contacted only if there is an opportunity for you to do business with AT&T. However, this is not a guarantee of work. If our staff does not contact you, it means there are currently no opportunities to do business in your area. Your company's information will remain current in our database and when opportunities become available the appropriate person from AT&T will contact you regarding next steps.
I have submitted the form to register as a supplier, but I have not heard back from AT&T. What should I do next?
We appreciate your interest in doing business with AT&T. If you have received an e-mail confirmation, that means your information has been received and stored in our Supplier Information Database (SID). If our staff has not contacted you, there are currently no opportunities to do business in your area. However, your company's information will remain current in our database and when opportunities become available the appropriate person from AT&T will contact you regarding next steps.