Our Commitment

At CBS, we are committed to the advancement of an environment that promotes a diverse supplier base. Supplier Diversity is a key component of the continued commitment at CBS to diversity, inclusion and social responsibility. We believe in a sourcing process which provides equitable opportunities to the entire vendor community. We believe our continued success is influenced by a well diversified supply base that continues to drive and deliver competitiveness and innovation.

Our Approach

By integrating Supplier Diversity into our sourcing process, we ensure that all vendors have equal access to opportunities to do business with CBS. We engage in a multi-faceted approach in order to foster a vibrant and diverse supply base which is reflective of the communities and customers that we proudly serve with our content every day:

  • Internal Outreach -- Through communication channels such as the CBS Procurement Council and networking events, we engage the operating groups within CBS to promote opportunities for diverse suppliers. Collaboration, access, education and accountability are the focal points of this continuous effort.
  • External Outreach -- CBS believes in a proactive approach to the identification of diverse suppliers that match our needs for products and services. We continue to support regional and national advocacy groups to communicate and engage diverse suppliers to procurement opportunities within CBS. Through partnership with groups such as National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), and US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC), CBS strives to discover and engage qualified diverse suppliers and match them with potential opportunities across the CBS organization.
  • Utilization -- CBS uses both internal and 3rd party resources in order to identify qualified diverse vendors. Through these resources, we assist CBS business leaders in matching diverse vendors with procurement needs. In addition, we have developed a process that gives us the ability to track progress in the area of Supplier Diversity.
  • Verification -- We see it to be imperative that we have up to date information regarding supplier certification. Therefore, we utilize external, non-biased information to regularly review the certification information of our diverse suppliers.


  • We evaluate and engage suppliers of varying size and geographic coverage to meet the diverse needs of the CBS organization. We encourage suppliers who are interested in doing business with CBS to learn more about CBS to determine if its core competencies are aligned with CBS requirements.

    We do recognize that business circumstances will not allow all suppliers to partner directly with CBS. CBS actively encourages its prime suppliers to subcontract, to the greatest extent attainable, with certified diverse businesses for services and products in the performance of contracts with CBS.

    Definition and Certification

    CBS defines a diverse supplier as one which is qualified by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as having met the definition of being at least 51% owned, controlled AND operated by one or more members of a diverse group (e.g., minority, women, etc.). If your firm qualifies as a diverse supplier, we encourage you to become certified by the appropriate third party certification agency. Our diverse supplier classifications include:

  • MBE Eligibility (Minority Business Enterprise)
  • MBE Certification II — Minority Controlled Firm (NMSDC Growth Initiative)
  • Women Business Enterprise
  • Small & Disadvantaged Businesses (per the Small Business Administration)
  • HUB Zone
  • Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise
  • CBS does not certify supplier diversity status. Where recognized 3rd party certification is not provided or available, the responsibility of accurate representation rests with the supplier. The supplier certifies that the information it provides to CBS is current, complete and accurate. In addition, suppliers who wish to claim diversity status agree to advise CBS of any changes in qualifying status including ownership change.

    Companies that are not yet certified but plan to pursue certification should inform CBS of their current status. Companies that do not meet the certification requirements are not guaranteed participation in CBS’ Supplier Diversity efforts. Misrepresentation of qualifications will result in the removal of the supplier from the CBS Supplier Diversity program.

    If you have further questions please contact your local U.S. Small Business Administration Office for certification guidance or consult the references below.

    Diverse Supplier Resource References

    CBS recognizes and support various 3rd party public and nationally recognized private sector certifications. The organizations below are those whose certifications we accept. Other certifications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Those businesses not yet certified as a diverse business are encouraged to apply and to indicate interest in seeking certification.

    CBS accepts certification from the organizations listed below, or their affiliates, throughout the United States. Since these are 3rd party sites, CBS bears no responsibility for the content of the sites available through these links:

    Small Business Administration
    26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
    http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/gc/index.html http://app1.sba.gov/faqs/
    Phone: (212) 264-4322

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affair
    The Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE)
    810 Vermont Avenue, N. W.
    Washington, D.C. 2042
    www.vip.vetbiz.gov
    Phone: (866) 584-2344

    National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
    1040 Ave. of the Americas, 2nd Floor, and New York, NY 10018
    www.nmsdcus.org
    Phone: (212) 944-2430
    Certifies minority-owned businesses
    NMSDC has 39 affiliate offices located nationwide.

    Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
    1710 H. Street, N.W., 7th Floor Washington, D.C. 20006
    www.wbenc.org
    Phone: (202) 872-5515
    Certifies women-owned businesses
    WBENC has 12 affiliate offices located nationwide.

    US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
    1329 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
    www.uspaacc.com
    Phone :( 800) 696.7818
    Certifies Asian-owned businesses

    U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)
    2175 K Street NW Suite 100
    Washington, DC 20037
    www.USHCC.com
    Phone: 800-USHCC86
    202- 842-1212

    Contact

    Please direct any inquires regarding Supplier Diversity at CBS to the CBS Strategic Sourcing department. You may e-mail Gregory A. Michel at greg.michel@cbs.com