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Contact a Buyer -
Information Center
In this section:
- Valuing Diversity
- Minority Supplier Certification
- Inquiry Process
- Outreach
- Mentorship Program
- Supplier Diversity Advisory Group
- About Our Buyer Groups
- Supplier Diversity Team
Valuing diversity ... it helps us complete our job.
Our Supplier Diversity Initiative is part of our overall business strategy to help our company - and the businesses that support us - succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.
At DTE Energy we value diversity. How do we demonstrate this?
- We attract, retain and develop the best people from a diverse pool of applicants.
- And we provide energy and energy services to customer from all walks of life, living in a wide array of communities.
- We seek suppliers from small and minority owned businesses.
Using innovative approaches to create meaningful business opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms, DTE Energy has contributed to the growth of some of these firms now servicing the electric utility industry. DTE Energy continues to provide minority and women-owned firms with advocacy, training, mentoring, and business opportunities and development experiences.
Through our Supplier Diversity Initiative, we seek business relationships with:
- Small businesses
- Women-owned businesses
- Veteran-owned small businesses
- Service disabled veteran-owned small businesses
- Minority-owned businesses
- HUB Zone small businesses
We believe that it is smart business, to do business, with a diverse supplier base.
Minority Supplier Certification
To be recognized as a minority business enterprise (MBE), a business must undergo a review and certification process that ensures the business is minority owned and operated. DTE Energy recognizes MBE certification provided by the following third-party certifiers:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) provides certification for ethnic minorities. A MBE is a for profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by minority group members.
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides certification for women-owned companies. A women’s business enterprise (WBE) must have 51 percent ownership by a woman or women, proof of effective management of the business, control of the business and have U.S. citizenship or U.S. resident alien status.
- Small Business Administration (SBA) provides certification for small and disadvantaged companies. The law defines a small business concern as "one that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation."
Inquiry process
Once a business has been certified as a MBE, they should contact a DTE Energy buyer and complete the prequalification process.
If it is determined by the DTE Energy buyer that there is an opportunity for the business, the buyer will request a copy of the business's current NMSDC/Affiliate, WBENC/Affiliate or SBA Certificate and DUNS number and forward to the Supplier Diversity group. Supplier Diversity will contact the business and communicate next steps. If it is determined that there is not a current opportunity for the business, the business will receive notice from the buyer.
Outreach
Each year DTE Energy conducts outreach events to provide opportunities for diverse enterprises to learn about our program and how they might do business with us. View the 2012 events schedule*.
Mentorship Program
Mentored suppliers provide DTE Energy with a competitive advantage. The Supplier Diversity Mentorship program is a joint commitment by DTE Energy and the mentored supplier leadership.
A mentored supplier is determined by the business unit directors, and with the approval of the director of Supply Chain Procurement.
Supplier Diversity Advisory Group
The supplier Diversity Advisory Group provides a forum where mentored suppliers can receive information and discuss concerns, leading to a stronger and more effective working relationship. The 12 member group is comprised of suppliers, area business leaders and DTE Energy leadership.
To ensure our continued success, we support many diversity organizations, some are listed below:
APACC - Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce
BTWBA - Booker T. Washington Business Association
CEED - Center for Empowerment & Economic Development
EEI - Edison Electric Institute
MHCC - Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
MMSDC - Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
NABA - Native American Business Alliance
NABAS - National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers
NAMC - National Association of Minority Contractors
NMSDC - National Minority Supplier Development Council
About our buyer groups
The commodities and services we purchase are grouped by the business units that use them.
- Corporate
- Corporate staff services, facility services, office materials, etc.
- Distribution Operations
- Commodities and services for our electric utility.
- DTE Gas
- Commodities and services for our gas utility.
- Energy Resources
- Commodities and services for our non-utility business facilities.
- Fossil Generation
- Commodities and services for our fossil-fueled power plants.
- Nuclear Generation
- Commodities and services for our nuclear-fueled power plant.
- Materials and Logistics
DTE Energy contracts with MBE suppliers in almost every area of our business, including staffing, fuel supply, line clearance, construction, nuclear engineering, machinery and safety equipment. Initiatives, such as renewable energy, energy optimization and remote metering present new opportunities for suppliers.
Learn more about becoming a DTE Energy supplier.
Supplier Diversity Team
John H. Eley Jr. - Senior Manager - Corporate Procurement and Supplier Diversity 313.235.3488
Lynn Garrison - Senior Supplier Diversity Specialist 313.235.4166
Esther Williams - Supplier Diversity Technician 313.235.8062
The information contained in this Web site is for informational purposes only. It does not alter, amend, or otherwise supersede any existing or future contractual term or condition. Furthermore, nothing contained on these pages is intended to constitute any form of an offer to provide or purchase any good or service.
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