UConn Procurement Services has launched a new SMBeConnect tool on our Supplier Diversity (USDP) website. It is designed, primarily, to assist small/minority business enterprises (S/MBEs) seeking to conduct business here at the University, by connecting them directly with the buying team responsible for managing their particular commodity(ies).

How it Works

As interested parties access the SMBeConnect tool, complete the on-line form, and select a buying team’s commodity, an e-mail will be sent to the selected team for follow-up. In addition to requesting introductory meetings and/or providing feedback about their experiences here at UConn, interested parties have the ability to upload their related documents, such as capability statements, and to ask questions within the on-line form, about specific solicitations and procurement processes.

How You Can Help

Please join our collective efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of S/MBE’s on University contracts, by referring any S/MBE’s you connect with or have an interest in working with, to the link provided below. While you as a UConn employee can e-mail Supplier Diversity or individual buying teams directly, the tool is available to you as well. As an end user, you can use it as follows:

• Forward information about an S/MBE vendor that you are interested in working with or have successfully worked with, along with feedback.
• Ask our Procurement Professionals commodity-, process-, or S/MBE vendor-related questions.
• Refer S/MBE’s for State certification assistance, if they are not currently certified with the Department of Administrative Services.

All inquiries and requests for information are also copied to the Supplier Diversity Program for follow-up with buying teams and to assist in the on-going assessment of how effectively the SMBeConnect tool is working.

Access the SMBeConnect Tool.

Access helpful Information for University Departments and to learn additional ways that you can join our Supplier Diversity efforts.