We Realize “Diverse and Small Business is Good Business”

We know working with diverse and small businesses is more than a strategy. It is good business for all parties and is supported at the highest levels of management. Our commitment to diverse and small businesses is built on the history of Kimball Midwest. Not long ago, we were a small business. We also realize it takes the hard work and support of our business partners to continue to reach our goals.

How do we identify Diverse Suppliers?

Participants in Kimball Midwest’s Supplier Diversity Program must meet strict criteria. Each supplier must be a U.S. citizen who satisfies the ownership requirements as small, woman, minority, veteran, disabled-veteran, hub zone, LGBTQ, disabled or a disadvantaged individual and/or group. The diversity principal business owner must own, control, and operate 51% of the business and be able to verify diversity status.

Kimball Midwest utilizes several channels to identify appropriate, diverse suppliers:

• Third-party verification of small and diverse classified supplier
• Diversity Business Opportunity Fairs
  • We participate in local and national trade associations to meet prospective suppliers and identify candidates for specific RFP opportunities.
• Indirect Procurement
  • We utilize the same resources to identify suppliers of goods and services we can use to run our business.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Diversity Certifications

Criteria for MBE Certification - Based on NMSDC’s Specifications

• United States citizens.
• Minority businesses must be at least 51% minority–owned, managed, and controlled.

For the purposes of NMSDC’s program, a minority group member is an individual who is at least 25% Asian Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American. Minority eligibility is established via a combination of document reviews, screenings, interviews, and site visits.

• Ownership, in the case of a publicly owned business, means that at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more minority group members.
• Must be a for-profit enterprise and physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories.
• The minority ownership member(s) must exercise management and daily operations.

Criteria for WBE Certification – Based on WBENC’s Specifications

• Majority (at least 51%) ownership by one or more women.
• Demonstrated proof of female management and control of business.
• Unrestricted female control of the business in legal documents and day-to-day operations.
• A woman holding the highest defined title in the company’s legal documents.
• Documented evidence of female contribution of capital and/or industry expertise.
• Status of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alient for woman owner(s) constituting majority ownership.

Criteria for LGBTBE Certification – Based on NGLCC’s Specifications

• 51% ownership by an LGBT person or persons.
• Proof of effective management of the business (operating position, by-laws, hire-fire and other decision-making roles).
• Control of the business as evidenced by signatory power on loans, leases and contracts.
• Contribution of capital and/or expertise.
• Must establish LGBT status via documentary evidence.
• U.S. citizenship or U.S. resident alien status.

Criteria for VBE Certification – Based on NVBDC’s Specification

• A person who served full-time (24/7) active duty service in the United States armed forces for a minimum of 180 consecutive active duty days, less training and breaks there within, according to the following statuary and regulatory legislation: Title 5 USC § 2108; Title 38 USC § 101(21)(22), Title 38 USC § 1965 (1)(5), Title 38 CFR § 3.6; Title 38 USC §4211 (4).

Criteria for DOBE Certification – Based on Disability: IN’s Specifications

• Disabled individuals own at least 51% of the business, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals, i.e., those group members control the management and daily operations.
• Disability is defined as a physical and/or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities.

Criteria for 8(a) Certification – Based on SBA’s Specifications

• Be a small business.
• Not have previously participated in the 8(a) program.
• Be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
• Have a personal net worth of $750,000 or less, adjusted gross income of $350,000 or less and assets totaling $6 million or less.
• Demonstrate good character.
• Demonstrate the potential for success such as having been in business for two years.
• 8(a) certification lasts for a maximum of nine years. The first four years are considered a development stage, and the last five years are considered a transitional stage. Continuation in the program is dependent on staying in compliance with program requirements.
• The federal government fully defines who qualifies for the 8(a) program — including what counts as being socially and economically disadvantaged — in Title 13 Part 124 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Apply as a prospective Kimball Midwest Diverse Supplier:

Your information will be entered in our corporate Supplier Diversity database so we can contact your company for future opportunities.