Supplier Diversity Process
Ameren’s strategic sourcing process is designed to provide and increase opportunities for businesses that are certified as minority (i.e., African American, Asian Pacific American, Asian Sub-Continent American, Hispanic American and Native American)-, women-, veteran-, service disabled veteran- owned enterprises as well as any businesses classified as HubZone. Under the U.S. Small Business Administration, the HubZone Empowerment Contracting Program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing federal contracting preferences to small businesses.
How does Ameren’s program increase opportunities for these businesses?
	Through inclusion in the procurement process;
	By providing access to Ameren opportunities; and
	Through community outreach, mentoring, training, and participation in economic conferences in the communities we serve.
Here are the steps toward full participation:
1.	The Ameren Supplier Diversity Team, Strategic Sourcing, professionals in the supply chain and business segment professionals help potential suppliers identify the level at which their organization can do business with Ameren.
2.	Ameren’s process for procuring goods and services identifies strong diverse suppliers for every portion of the business.
3.	We strongly encourage potential diverse suppliers to obtain certification through local, regional and/or national certifying agencies.
Organizational Support: Ameren has relationships and affiliations with:
		National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (NMSDC)
		St. Louis Minority Business Council
		MidAmerica Minority Business Council
		Chicago Minority Business Development Council
		Arkansas Mississippi Minority Business Council
		Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
		Council Enterprise, Inc.
		Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council
		Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Ameren also utilizes local certifying agencies in order to verify diverse business status:
		Metro
		Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT)
		Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
		U.S. Small Business Administration
		City of St. Louis
We are also a member of the Institute for Supply Management, the largest supply management association in the world.