Economic Inclusion

Procurement Services helps connect suppliers to buyers at the University systemically and through ongoing programs and processes.

• Penn Marketplace – The Penn Marketplace, Penn’s internal portal enabling users to browse and buy from preferred suppliers, includes a strong presence of local and diversity suppliers.  Approximately 38% of the suppliers in the Penn Marketplace are diversity suppliers or local community suppliers.  The Penn Marketplace includes indicators identifying each supplier’s status as local and/or diversity. This information, along with pricing and other critical information, helps buyers make informed decisions about each purchase.

• Project Sourcing – As Procurement Services’ staff sources goods and services - either centrally or in partnership with Penn’s Schools and Centers – it strives to include local and diversity suppliers in each sourcing event.  The team works closely with the Enterprise Center to identify qualified candidate suppliers to bid on opportunities.

• Administrator Forums – Procurement Services routinely showcases local and/or diversity suppliers at administrator forums to help connect contracted local and diversity owned suppliers to Penn’s buyers.