Why this
matters now.
Qualified small and Black-owned suppliers may remain outside major institutional purchasing pathways.
Community Initiative 02
In development
One Bay Supplier Compact
Make local and diverse purchasing a visible regional business practice.
Help shape the Compact ↗Why this
Build the table.
Shape the model.
Convene anchor institutions; define practical voluntary commitments; improve pathway clarity; create supplier-development feedback loops; and report aggregate progress.
Shared progress
Black-business impact.
Region-wide value.
Ownership and capacity
Better visibility into purchasing categories, decision pathways, readiness expectations, and institutional relationships.
A stronger Tampa Bay
More local spending, stronger supplier diversity, and a more resilient business ecosystem.
How the work may move
Four practical
workstreams.
Compact design
Shape practical voluntary commitments with input from buyers and suppliers.
Purchasing-pathway transparency
Clarify categories, readiness expectations, and decision pathways without promising awards.
Supplier engagement
Create structured listening and feedback opportunities for qualified local suppliers.
Aggregate progress reporting
Define a responsible way to share voluntary regional progress without exposing confidential purchasing data.
POTENTIAL PARTNER CATEGORIES
Perspective the work may need.
CorporationsHospitalsSchools and universitiesMunicipalitiesDevelopersTransportation institutionsMajor nonprofitsProcurement leaders
WHAT WE INTEND TO MEASURE
Evidence before celebration.
- Organizations participating
- Purchasing categories clarified
- Qualified suppliers engaged
- Aggregate local and diverse spend when voluntarily reported
- Feedback actions completed
Participate now
Bring perspective.
Help shape the work.
Suppliers and anchor institutions may express basic interest in helping shape a practical, voluntary model.
- 01
Identify general purchasing-pathway questions that deserve clarification.
- 02
Express interest as a future supplier-listening participant.
- 03
Express interest as an institutional or procurement design participant.
COMMUNITY INITIATIVESBring perspective.