How do you ensure diversity and inclusion in your RFQ sourcing and selection strategies?

1 Define your diversity and inclusion objectives

Before you start your RFQ process, you need to have a clear vision of what diversity and inclusion mean for your organization and your project. Diversity and inclusion can refer to various aspects, such as gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, culture, geography, or social impact. You need to identify which dimensions of diversity and inclusion are relevant and important for your RFQ, and how they align with your organizational values, policies, and goals. You also need to set measurable and realistic targets and indicators to track and evaluate your progress.

2 Design your RFQ documents and criteria

The next step is to design your RFQ documents and criteria in a way that reflects and supports your diversity and inclusion objectives. This means that you need to use clear, concise, and inclusive language that avoids jargon, acronyms, or bias. You also need to ensure that your RFQ documents are accessible and easy to understand for different audiences, and that you provide multiple channels and formats for communication and submission. Moreover, you need to define your evaluation criteria and weighting in a transparent and objective manner, and include criteria that value diversity and inclusion, such as supplier diversity certifications, social responsibility initiatives, or innovation potential.

3 Conduct your market research and outreach

Another key step is to conduct your market research and outreach to identify and engage with diverse and qualified suppliers who can meet your RFQ requirements. You can use various sources and methods to conduct your market research, such as online databases, directories, networks, associations, or referrals. You can also use different tools and platforms to conduct your outreach, such as webinars, workshops, newsletters, social media, or events. The main objective of your market research and outreach is to raise awareness and interest among potential suppliers, and to provide them with information and support to prepare and submit their bids.

4 Evaluate and select your suppliers

The final step is to evaluate and select your suppliers according to your RFQ criteria and process. You need to ensure that your evaluation and selection process is consistent, fair, and impartial, and that you document and justify your decisions. You also need to ensure that your evaluation and selection team is diverse and trained in diversity and inclusion principles and practices. Additionally, you need to provide feedback and debriefing to the bidders, and acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the selected suppliers.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your RFQ sourcing and selection strategies are diverse and inclusive, and that you create value and impact for your organization and your stakeholders.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?