Our Commitment to Supplier Diversity

Golden State Water Company (GSWC) is dedicated to providing equal opportunity to all potential business partners. It is the policy of GSWC to encourage and afford opportunities to diverse suppliers including, but not limited to, Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs), while simultaneously ensuring the best combination of quality, service and price is provided in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Overview of Our Supplier Diversity Program

GSWC recognizes the value of Supplier Diversity as a strategic business decision, and is committed to seek and identify diverse suppliers and offer them equitable opportunities to compete for contracts to supply materials and services to GSWC.

We acknowledge that a robust Supplier Diversity initiative broadens the supplier base, stimulates competition, and ensures that GSWC receives the highest quality materials and services at the best available prices.

As a California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) regulated water utility, GSWC’s supplier diversity goal is to procure 21.5% of its total procurement from certified WBEs, MBEs and DVBEs.  Specifically, the goals are as follows:

15% with MBEs

5% with WBEs

1.5% with DVBEs

GSWC is also a member of the California Water Association (CWA), a trade association of investor-owned water utilities providing high-quality water utility services to nearly 6 million people throughout California.

Certification Requirements

MBE, WBE and DVBE suppliers must be certified as a diverse business to participate in our Supplier Diversity Program.  We require our MBE and WBE suppliers to be certified through The Supplier Clearinghouse.  DVBE suppliers must be certified through State of California’s Department of General Services.

      Supplier Clearinghouse Certification

      The business must be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by

      WBEs and/or MBEs.  Please go to www.thesupplierclearinghouse.com for

      full details including eligibility criteria, instructions, and access

      to application forms.  There is no cost to apply for this certification.

      DVBE Certification

      The business must be at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by
      service-disabled veterans.  Please go to www.getcertified.dgs.ca.gov
      for full details, including eligibility criteria, instructions, and access to the 
      application form.  There is no cost to apply for this certification.

      Once you are certified, contact GSWC and we will provide additional

      information required from you to add you to our supplier database.

The Highest Ethics

Our program is established on the principles of fair, equitable and ethical business practices. The aim of the GSWC-Supplier relationship is that of a mutually beneficial partnership based on integrity and consistent with the agreed upon terms. Business will be conducted within generally accepted professional codes of conduct.  During the sourcing process, GSWC employees will not offer to or accept from suppliers; entertainment, gifts, or other gratuities.

What We Require From You

A potential supplier may be instructed to provide some or all of the following types of information for Golden State Water’s evaluation:

• Audited financial statements/records (balance sheet, income statement)
• Dunn & Bradstreet number (if applicable)
• Appropriate business or trade license 
• Appropriate insurance coverage

Contact information: emma@gswater.com