Coastal Pacific is committed to pursuing business relationships with Minority-owned and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) in an effort to continuously improve business opportunities. The relationships we are seeking
must provide value both to Coastal Pacific, to the customers we service and to the minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises.

Coastal Pacific's Supplier Diversity Objectives are to:

  • Encourage participation and support of supplier diversity by requesting this information when searching for new suppliers who can provide high-quality commodities at a competitive price.

  • Making this information available to business partners and customers we service.

  • Encourage participation and support of supplier diversity by major suppliers to Coastal Pacific who are not minority-owned or women-owned businesses.

Coastal Pacific's Suppliers Diversity Initiatives will be overseen by Senior Management. All Coastal Pacific management and employees will share in this commitment and responsibility by focusing on the implementation of procurement
processes and procedures that will enhance opportunities.

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PURCHASING GUIDELINES

A. Coastal Pacific recognizes that there are many advantages to maintaining competition in supplier industries, in the establishment of alternate sources, and in dealing with MWBEs. Accordingly, it is Coastal Pacific's policy to encourage the development of mutually beneficial business relationships with qualified MWBEs.

B. Coastal Pacific is committed to increasing the opportunities of MWBEs. Employees involved in the selection, evaluation or approval of vendors and contractors share the responsibility for the corporate practice stated in the policy.

C. It is the practice of Coastal Pacific to:

  1. Ensure that MWBEs are aware of Coastal’s Supplier Diversity Policy and are encouraged to participate in business opportunities.

  2. Identify Opportunities for MWBE involvement and encourage MWBEs to qualify for and bid on Coastal Pacific's requirements for products and services.

D. Coastal Pacific's development of the initiative for purchasing from Minority and Women-Owned Businesses is not a philanthropic activity, nor does it require the relaxation of current purchasing policies and procedures or the establishments of quotas and goals for MWBE participation. Competitive opportunities for MWBEs must be commensurate with the merits of their offerings and their proven affiliations and/or demonstrated performance.

E. Employees involved in the selection, evaluation or approval of bidders should solicit a copy of the bidder's MWBE status and any available policy statements of MWBE participation from subcontractors.

F. Non-MWBE suppliers may be required to submit annually to Coastal Pacific their record of MWBE purchases as related to their sales to Coastal Pacific. (Coastal Pacific Second-Tier Annual Reporting Form)

  1. A Second-Tier MWBE Supplier is a supplier that invoices the non-MWBE supplier for goods and services rendered.

  2. Coastal Pacific prefers to receive a report of Direct Second-Tier Purchases, i.e., products and services that can be identified in direct fulfillment of Coastal Pacific requirements.

  3. When applicable, reporting of Indirect Second-Tier Purchases will be accepted, i.e., products and services that cannot be identified in support of specific Coastal Pacific requirements.

DEFINITIONS

MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS CONCERN: A minority-owned business enterprise is one that is at least 51% owned and controlled by individuals of African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian descent. The business owner must be an U.S. citizen. The business has received minority certification from a third party certifier such as the city,
state, or a regional minority business council.

SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS CONCERN: A Small Disadvantaged Business Concern that has received certification as a small disadvantaged business concern consistent with 1.3 CFR 124, Subpart B and is listed on the register of small disadvantaged business concerns maintained by the SBA. The official listing of eligible companies can be accessed on website: http://pro-net.sba.gov.

WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN: Small, business concerns that are at least 51% owned by women who are U.S. citizens, who also control and operate the business. "Control" in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions. "Operate" in this context means being actively involved in the day-to day management. The business has received minority certification from a third party certifier such as the city, state, or a regional women's business council.

HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN: HUB Zone Small Business Concerns located in distressed communities in an effort to promote private sector investment and employment opportunities in these areas. A list of qualified HUB Zone Small Business Concerns maintained by the SBA can be viewed by visiting the following website: www.sba.gov/hubzone. From the search database option, select the HUB Zone criteria and then click on the search key.

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN: A small business concern means a small business as defined pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act and relevant regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The company's SIC code determines whether annual revenues or number of employees is used to determine SBA "small business" status. Any supplier who is not sure if they are classified, as a "small business" should be referred to the following websites: www.sba.gov/regulations/siccodes and www.sba.gov/regulations/121. They may also contact the SBA Office of Size Standards at (202) 205-6618.