Knox County Government Knox County Purchasing Division Supplier Diversity Program

Knox County Purchasing Division Mission Statement To adhere to the Procurement Code of Knox County by processing purchase requests for goods and services according to the requirements of the code in a timely and accurate manner.

Supplier Diversity Program Mission Statement The Supplier Diversity Program is to increase the opportunity for diversity in the companies doing business with Knox County by encouraging participation through site visits, providing education and support regarding policies and procedures, actively recruiting all interested suppliers, and ensuring equal opportunity in all procurement related activities.

Mentor Protégé Program The Mentor-Protégé Program was designed to increase minority participation for sub-contractors seeking to be a part of a County project, and to see relationships and networks being built among all of the participants. The Mentor-Protégé Program was designed to increase minority participation for sub-contractors seeking to be a part of a County project, and to see relationships and networks being built among all of the participants. To qualify, mentors and protégés must meet a short list of qualifications, including having a Knox County business license and to be current on federal, state, county and city taxes. To qualify, mentors and protégés must meet a short list of qualifications, including having a Knox County business license and to be current on federal, state, county and city taxes. Applications are available at the Knox County Purchasing Division, 1000 North Central Street, Suite 100, Knoxville, Tennessee through Robert Minter, Supplier Diversity Coordinator, An application is also available online at Applications are available at the Knox County Purchasing Division, 1000 North Central Street, Suite 100, Knoxville, Tennessee through Robert Minter, Supplier Diversity Coordinator, An application is also available online at

How To Register With Knox County Access Knox County’s Website ( Access Knox County’s Website ( Point cursor to Business, in drop down box, move cursor to Purchasing Point cursor to Business, in drop down box, move cursor to Purchasing From the Knox County Purchasing Website scroll over to the right and click on “On-line Vendor Registration” From the Knox County Purchasing Website scroll over to the right and click on “On-line Vendor Registration”

How to Register (cont’d.) PLEASE READ CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT BEFORE REGISTERING. PLEASE READ CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT BEFORE REGISTERING. 1. Click on Register 2. Enter Tax ID and Company Name 3. Click-on Submit 4. Enter All Required Information as Denoted by the Asterisks (*) 5. Click-on Continue Registration 6. Select Applicable Categories and Classifications 7. Click-on Save & Continue Registration 8. Select Applicable Commodity and Service Codes 9. Click-on Exit and Continue Registration after selecting all applicable Service and Commodity Codes 10. Click-on “OK” and Registration is Complete *(Help Guide available on website)* If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Jay Garrison at (865)

Meet the Purchasing Staff

Knox County Purchasing Division Dollars Purchased from MBE, WBE, and DBE’s NationalityGender/Vendor Time Frame Amount Spent Black/African American 16 Male Vendors 07/07/05- 02/06/08 $135, Black/African American 3 Female Vendors 06/24/05- 03/07/08 $1, Caucasian 1,161 Female Vendors 06/04/05- 06/17/08 $3,595, Asian 31 Male Vendors 07/11/05- 04/16/08 $438, Asian 10 Female Vendors 06/15/05- 03/26/08 $9, Hispanic or Latino 16 Male Vendors 06/15/05- 04/28/08 $ 55,463.75

Knox County Purchasing Division Dollars Purchased from MBE, WBE, and DBE’s (cont’d.) NationalityGender/Vendor Time Frame Amount Spent Hispanic or Latino 5 Female Vendors 09/29/05- 05/15/08 $8, American Indian or Alaska Native 4 Male Vendors 06/15/05- 04/15/08 $11, American Indian or Alaska Native 2 Female Vendors 08/04/05- 06/19/08 $1, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1 Male Vendor 07/01/05- 06/19/08 $2, GRAND TOTAL 1,249 Vendors 06/04/05- 06/19/08 $4,260,254.38

“Over recent years, Knox County has become quite active in Minority Business Development and has been a part of many success stories as a result of this involvement. By diversifying our supplier base the County has opened the door to innovation and forward thinking, while at the same time increasing competition through inclusion. This program was created for the express purpose of providing resources to small and minority-owned businesses….” “Over recent years, Knox County has become quite active in Minority Business Development and has been a part of many success stories as a result of this involvement. By diversifying our supplier base the County has opened the door to innovation and forward thinking, while at the same time increasing competition through inclusion. This program was created for the express purpose of providing resources to small and minority-owned businesses….” Hugh Holt Deputy Director of Finance

“We are so proud of our award-winning staff in the Supplier Diversity Program. The excellent work they do was recognized by the Small Business Administration this year when they honored two of our staff members with the Partners-in-Excellence Award. The Mentor-Protégé Program they launched in December 2007 will be key to their efforts to increase minority participation in County projects. Knox County is fortunate to have such a dedicated team who work diligently to educate and support small businesses.” Mike Ragsdale Knox County Mayor