BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee values diversity and considers it an important and critical tool that enables us to maintain a competitive edge in today’s ever-changing marketplace.  To ensure that our suppliers reflect our present and future employee and customer base, as well as society as a whole, we are committed to establishing on-going relationships with small, minority, woman, veteran owned, disabled veteran-owned and HubZone businesses and to further their growth and development. 

For Vendors wishing to enroll or update their current registration data, please follow the link below to our Vendor Registration Page.  Should you need additional information about our Supplier Diversity Program, a printable version of our Supplier Diversity brochure, Self-Certification Form and W9 Tax form are also available on the Vendor Registration Page.

Our mission is to implement and integrate a measurable Supplier Diversity process into all purchasing and procurement activities through all corporate lines of business. We accomplish this by providing maximum opportunities for small, minority, woman, veteran owned, disabled veteran-owned and HubZone businesses to participate with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee as suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors. 

This mission statement reinforces our commitment to being a leader in Supplier Diversity and a model corporate citizen in the communities in which we serve.

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
A business, regardless of size, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. Minority group members are United States citizens who are African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more such individuals or, in the case of a publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock. Further, those minority group members control the management and daily operations of the business.

Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
A business that is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more women or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock must be owned by one or more women and whose management and daily operations are controlled by one or more women. http://www.onlinewbc.gov/  

Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)
A business that is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans. http://www.sba.gov/vets/ 

Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise (DVE)
A business that is not less than 51percent owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, or in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran. Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101 (2), with a disability that is service-connected (38 U.S.C. 101 (6)).

8A
The SBA's 8(a) BD program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market. To participate in the 8(a) Program, a small business must be at least 51percent unconditionally owned, controlled and managed by either an individual(s) who is a socially and economically disadvantaged citizen of the U.S. or an economically disadvantaged Indian tribe. http://www.sba.gov/8abd/.

HubZone Small Business (HUB)
A business located in a historically underutilized business zone, which is an area located within one or more qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties or lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation. Status as a qualified HubZone small business concern is determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in accordance with 13 CFR part 126. If the SBA determines that a concern is a qualified HubZone small business concern, it will issue a certification to that effect and will add the concern to the List of Qualified HubZone Small Business Concerns on its Internet Web site at www.sba.gov/hubzone.

To be eligible to participate in the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Supplier Diversity program, prospective suppliers and contractors should complete and submit a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Self-Certification form, a W9 tax form and be registered on the Central Contractor Registration or CCR Web site (http://www.ccr.gov).   The CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government.  Please also include information on any additional certifications you may have.