What you need to know about the Supplier Diversity Program
Although the design of advanced data networking equipment requires the skills of professionals from such diverse disciplines as engineering, mathematics and computer science, 3Com also depends on a variety of business partners, including suppliers, to carry out its many activities.
3Com cultivates business partners of all sizes. In fact, for every purchasing activity, 3Com buyers are encouraged to seek out qualified small businesses who can perform services or provide materials to 3Com. This active solicitation is the essence of the 3Com Supplier Diversity Program - a program that aims to promote a healthy social and economic environment for both the company and its small business partners. The criteria that determine which small businesses may be included in the 3Com Supplier Diversity Program were established in accordance with Public Law 95-507 related to Federal Acquisition Regulations.
How your Company can be a "value add" to 3Com Corporation
3Com's takes the supplier -selection process very seriously. The company exercises great care in selecting suppliers who can meet 3Com's sourcing objectives and uphold 3Com ideals.
Sourcing decisions must be based on defined and objective evaluation criteria such as cost, timeliness, quality, technical suitability, service, reputation of the supplier, and performance history. Requests for proposal (RFP) solicit proposals from multiple suppliers, which help to determine whether the supplier's products and services technical and business functions are suitable to meet 3Com's business needs.
To find out more information, please contact 3Com Supplier Diversity Manager. Send a mailed information package about your company that contains the following information:
- An introductory cover letter, including business type (such as Small, Small Disadvantaged, Small Business Women-Owned) and a contact point from your company.
- Information on your Company's product / services.
Key Points on Supplier Selection
Because 3Com Corporation is committed to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services, naturally we require our suppliers to maintain and uphold these same high standards. At 3Com, supplier performance is a key factor in maintaining our reputation for excellence and customer satisfaction. Therefore, suppliers must be able to offer:
- Technology: Provide leading-edge technology. We expect our suppliers to continuously achieve technological advancement in their respective fields.
- Quality: Compliance with our customers requirements. 3Com expects high-quality, reliable, defect-free materials, developeded through superior design, process control, and continuous process improvements.
- Responsiveness: Adjusting and adapting to meet our customers changing requirements. We expect our suppliers to be responsive to these needs, as well as maintain global requirements and flexible capabilities.
- Delivery: Meeting exact product quantity and schedule requirements. 3Com expects 100 percent on-time delivery.
- Cost: Pricing that contains reasonable profit margins with a minimum total cost. 3Com expects its suppliers to identify and eliminate non-productive costs and expensive operations.
Supplier Profile
A supplier profile form will assist in evaluating your small business for any potential recommendation to the approved 3Com's supplier listing.
Allow 30 days for a response prior to further follow-up. If you have not received a response within this time period, telephone the Small Business representative for further instructions.
To ensure that suppliers are capable of meeting parts/service requirements that support our high standards, 3Com may perform technical, quality, and business condition evaluations.
Contact Us
Once we receive your company's information and potential profile questionnaire, it will be reviewed by the Supplier Diversity Office and forwarded to the appropriate commodity representative for proper assessment. The commodity representative will then review the information. If there is a current requirement for the type of goods or services that your company provides, your company will be contacted for further action. If there are no immediate requirements, your profile will be retained for future reference.
3Com Purchasing Location
Headquarters
3Com Corporation
Supplier Diversity Office
350 Campus Drive
Marlborough, MA 01752-3064
Related Information
- United States Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/ - United States General Services Administration
http://www.gsa.gov/ - SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership
http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/ - GSA Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 97-06
http://www.arnet.gov/far/ - United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
http://www.eeoc.gov/
