About: Supplier Diversity Program

Washington Gas has historically maintained a Supplier Diversity Program that expands and builds on relationships with diverse suppliers, improves growth and enhancement, and fosters minority business enterprise development. In addition, as committed champions of supplier diversity, Washington Gas includes diverse spend as part of the company’s annual Corporate Scorecard goal to ensure accountability with executives and management.

Per our Merger Commitment with Alta Gas, Washington Gas has developed a plan to increase Supplier Diversity Management spend to 35% by 2028. As part of this plan, Washington Gas will find additional ways to engage diverse suppliers and ensure their services are matched appropriately with organizational needs. We believe that this program supports our diversity and inclusion values and will be of benefit to our customers, communities and employees.

CONTACT US
For more information about our Supplier Diversity Program, please contact:
Washington Gas
Attention: Supplier Diversity
6801 Industrial Road
Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-750-4733
Fax: 703-750-4876
Email: supplierdiversity@washgas.com

Supplier Diversity Initiatives

Our Supplier Diversity Program plays a vital role in our ability to achieve excellence for all of our stakeholders and the communities we serve. In honoring our commitment to supplier diversity, we have developed initiatives that serve to expand and build upon relationships with diverse suppliers as well as increase their opportunities for growth and enhancement.

Strive for 35 Initiative

In 2009, just 11% of products and services were sourced from diverse suppliers – vendors certified as women-owned, minority-owned and service-disabled veterans.  We joined with the Maryland Public Service Commission, to voluntarily participate as a signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding to increase our commitment to award 25 percent of total non-gas dollar spend to diverse suppliers. I’m proud to say that as of 2018, we exceeded the goal with over 26.1% of products and services purchased from diverse vendors.  
                                                
We are increasing our commitment again. As part of our merger with AltaGas, we increased our diverse spend goal to 35 percent with the Maryland Public Service Commission. We’ve launched our Strive for 35 campaign to achieve 35 percent of our total non-gas spend with diverse vendors by 2028. We are promoting our Strive for 35 not only with our external vendors, but also with our employees.

Strive for 35 Fund

To complement the Strive for 35 initiative, we have partnered with our parent company, AltaGas, to offer the Strive for 35 Fund, a $100,000 annual contribution over five years totaling $500,000. Facilitated through our strategic partner, Prince George’s Financial Services Corporation First (FSC First), the Strive for 35 Fund will provide lending opportunities for diverse Maryland-based suppliers who are interested in working in the natural gas industry. The creates an opportunity for Washington Gas to offer a solution for what is often considered a barrier, securing working capital for diverse suppliers. 

To apply or learn more about the program, please contact FSC First.

Tier 2 Subcontracting Program

Washington Gas maintains a subcontracting program to encourage our prime contractors to utilize certified minority, women and service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. Supplier diversity is included in the sourcing process. Washington Gas works closely with prime contractors to provide education and subcontracting opportunities as well as monitor their diversity initiatives. 

For more information, contact:
Washington Gas
Attention: Supplier Diversity
6801 Industrial Road
Springfield, VA 22151

Phone: 703-750-4733
Fax: 703-750-4876
Email: supplierdiversity@washgas.com

Application Process

This information will be kept on file and Washington Gas will evaluate the eligibility of your company for future sourcing opportunities.

 Application Checklist

• Certified by a third-party agency as a minority, woman or service-disabled veteran-owned business
• Adequate financial resources to perform the contract
• Ability to complete the contract work on time, within the established budget and in a satisfactory manner
• Facilities and equipment necessary for production and construction or the ability to obtain them
• Organizational experience, accounting, operational controls and technical skills
• Ability to obtain required licenses and permits prior to the beginning of the contract
• Ability to comply with all Washington Gas standards, procedures, policies, manuals and requirements

Below is a list of major categories (but not limited to) of spend at Washington Gas:

• Advertising and marketing services
• Automotive vehicles and accessories
• Building and cleaning services and supplies
• Construction equipment and supplies
• Electronic equipment
• Engineering services
• Hand tools
• Human Resources' services
• Machinery and shop equipment
• Natural gas
• Office supplies and equipment
• Paving services
• Printing services
• Power operated tools
• Security services
• Underground pipeline contractors

Enter this link, https://supplierdiversity.washgas.com, to download your company information into the Supplier Diversity database

All prospective vendors are expected to provide the following:

• Ability to obtain required licenses and permits prior to the beginning of the contract
• Ability to comply with all Washington Gas standards, procedures, policies, manuals and requirements
• Adequate financial resources to perform the contract
• Ability to complete the contract work on time, within the established budget and in a satisfactory manner
• Certified by a third-party agency as a minority, woman or service-disabled veteran-owned business
• Facilities and equipment necessary for production and construction or the ability to obtain them
•  Organizational experience, accounting, operational controls and technical skills

If you are interested interest in offering your capabilities, please register. Your information will be kept on file and Washington Gas will evaluate the eligibility of your company for future sourcing opportunities.

Supplier Diversity Recognition

WGL and/or Washington Gas has been recognized by the following  organizations for its Supplier Diversity program.

Washington Gas recognizes the value of including diverse vendors in our strategic sourcing events and purchases. Diverse vendors contribute innovative ideas, services and products that add value to the, our clients, and our communities.

The Strive for 35 Supplier Diversity program comprises the proactive and consistent inclusion of certified businesses owned and operated by members of socio-economically disadvantaged groups (e.g., MWBE, CBE, SDV, Veterans, and LGBTQ+) in procurement activities and sourcing events. We are committed to growing the representation of small and/or diverse businesses among our suppliers.

Achievements in FY19:

$189,758,652.41 spend with Diverse Vendors for Non-Gas Purchases

$27,130,173 with Certified Business Enterprises

Strive for 35 Fund - Launched diverse supplier capital program with strategic partner FSC FIRST

Increased diverse vendors by 16.9%