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Supplier Diversity Program

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is committed to diversity in many ways. As part of our supplier relations program, we encourage and afford contract opportunities to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises as well as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses.  Our goal is to acquire high-quality products and services at competitive prices. We believe that building a more diverse supplier base will help us to better serve our customers and remain competitive in a deregulated environment.

Additionally, NJNG supports the efforts of the U.S. General Services Administration and submits an annual plan stating our goals regarding expenditures with small and diverse businesses.  NJNG uses the following U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) business definitions for classifying vendors:

Small Business
A business, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation, and meets the Small Business Size Standards of the Small Business Association.

Minority-Owned Business (MBE)
A MBE is a business, as defined by the SBA and/or National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority U.S. citizens and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. In the case of a publicly owned business, one or more such individuals must own at least 51 percent of the stock. The minority owner(s) must be a U.S. citizen whose origins are:

Asian-Indian - From India, Pakistan or Bangladesh

Asian-Pacific - From Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Los, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas

Black - From any Black racial groups of Africa

Hispanic - Of true-born Hispanic heritage, from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin only

Native American - American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or other organized group of native people who are indigenous to the continental United States and proof can be provided by a Native American Blood Degree Certificate (i.e. tribal registry letter, tribal roll register number).

Woman-Owned Business (WBE)
A WBE is a business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more women and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
A SDB is a small business that is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is unconditionally owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals as defined under 15 U.S.C. 637(b)(6) in Part 121 of Title 13 of the Code of Regulations.

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VET)
A VET is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more veterans and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDV)
A SDV is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more service-disabled veterans. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. A service-disabled veteran is a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

HUBZone Business
A HUBZone is a historically underutilized business zone, which is an area located within one or more qualified census tracks, qualified non-metropolitan counties, or lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation. The SBA per FAR 52.219-1 maintains criteria for HUBZone concern designation.

8(a) Business
An 8(a) is a small business that is certified by the SBA to be responsible and competent to perform specific contracts either on a sole source or competitive basis. Participants in the 8(a) Business Program are required to be certified by the SBA and be eligible under the 8(a) Business Program.

Disability-Owned Business
A disability-owned business is at least 51 percent owned by a person or group of persons with a disability as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act or as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Governor's Office, Management Directive 205.25 amended April 15, 1994. In the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more persons with disabilities and its management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more individuals with disabilities.

If you have not done so already, we strongly recommend you register as a small and diverse business - as defined by the federal SBA - on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Web site. Only registered vendors can be included in our program reports to the U.S. government.

The following information is provided to assist M/WBEs interested in qualifying for contracting opportunities with NJNG:

Initial Certification
 All suppliers who wish to be classified as a "M/WBE" must be certified by one of the following approved certification entities: U.S. Small Business Administration , Port Authority of New York & New Jersey , National Association of Women Business Owners , National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or its affiliated councils.

Documentation from one of these agencies must be provided to NJNG to ensure certification compliance. For more information about certification requirements, we suggest that you contact these agencies directly.

Pre-Qualifying with NJNG
Suppliers that have not worked with NJNG in the past are required to complete and submit a pre-qualification questionnaire. This form is available to download, fill out and submit to NJNG. Upon receipt of a completed questionnaire, NJNG will contact the supplier to discuss next steps.

Supplier Diversity Development Council (SDDC)
 NJNG is a member of the Supplier Diversity Development Council (SDDC), an organization comprised of a group of M/WBEs and companies regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Member companies are committed to expanding opportunities for M/WBEs and developing support activities that benefit both the regulated companies and M/WBEs. To learn more about NJNG's participation and upcoming events sponsored by the SDDC, visit their Web site.

NJNG encourages all of our suppliers to create innovative ways to provide value-added services. We look forward to working together to help grow both your business and our performance. If you have any questions or for more information, please e-mail us at supplierdiversity@njresources.com.