City of St. Petersburg launches Office of Supplier Diversity

FL News - Published Dec 20, 2022

The City of St. Petersburg has announced the launch of its new Office of Supplier Diversity, organized within the City's Procurement Department. The new Office will bolster efforts to foster diversity and inclusion within the real of City procurement.

The move comes after the findings of a disparity study commissioned by the City, which examined the period of October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2018 in City procurement, and which found disparities in numerous procurement fields for the utilization of minority- and woman-owned businesses relative to their availability in the area.

Next steps for the new Office of Supplier Diversity include hiring for additional key roles (a manager has already been selected), and implementing an ordinance the City Council is expected to pass in 2023 which will create various contracting opportunities for minority- and woman-owned businesses.

"Formalizing equitable business opportunities and policies demonstrates our intentional commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture," said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch in a statement.

Read the press release from the City at https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R589.php. For the Office of Supplier Diversity's website, including disparity study findings, see https://www.stpete.org/business/procurement/supplier_diversity.php.