Order Entry
United States
Orders LinkContactUsLinkComponent

Supplier Empowerment FAQs 

Minority, Women, Lesbian, Gay & Transgender, Veteran and Small Business Certification* verifies that a firm is independently owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or groups. 

*Must meet all SBA requirements, and actively registered with the U.S. Federal Contractor Registration, System for Award Management Registration (SAM). Avantor does not accept self- certifications.

What is certification?

Validation from a third-party organization (e.g. NMSDC, WBENC, government entity) that your company is indeed 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a small, regional, and/or underrepresented supplier.

How does my company become certified?

Department of General Services (DVBE certification) 
Office of Small Business Certification and Resources 
707 3rd Street, First Floor, Room 400 
West Sacramento, CA 95605 
Toll free: +1.800.559.5529 
Phone: +1.916.375.4940 
Fax: +1.916.375.4950 
Website: http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) 
729 15th St. NW, 9th Floor 
Washington D.C. 20005 
Phone: + 1.202.234.9181 
Fax: +1 202.234.9185 
Website: https://nglcc.org/

National Minority Supplier Development Council (MBE certification) 
1040 Avenue of the Americas, Second Floor 
New York, NY 10018 
Phone: +1.212.944.2430 
Fax: +1.212.719.9611 
Website: https://nmsdc.org/

U.S. Department of Transportation (DBE certification) 
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
400 7th Street, SW, Room 9410 
Washington, D.C. 20590 
Toll free: +1.800.532.1169 
Phone: +1.202.366.1930 
Fax: +1.202.366.7538 
Website: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov/

Does certification guarantee a vendor’s ability to conduct business with Avantor?

No. Certification only guarantees that a company has the potential to be considered (along with other vendors) for an opportunity when the right project arises. Vendors still need to be the most qualified and meet all other Avantor sourcing requirements.

Is certification required to do business with Avantor?

Yes. While all vendors are encouraged to seek to do business with Avantor, only companies that are THIRD PARTY CERTIFIED as Minority, Women Owned Businesses, and Small Business are counted toward our Supplier Empowerment goals. Avantor does not accept self-certifications.

What selection criteria does Avantor use?

Selection criteria for a project are driven primarily by our corporate business requirement and need. Once requirements are developed, we identify supplier candidates whose products or services can fulfill the requirements. Then we may reach out to the supplier directly, or issue a Request for Proposal.

What if there are no immediate opportunities available?

Vendor profiles will remain in our database until the right opportunity arises. Vendors are responsible for updating their profile as events or activities within their company change.

Does Avantor have an online Vendor Registration Database?

Yes. All prospective suppliers should fill out the Registration Form.

Who should I contact for additional questions?

You can connect with the Avantor Supplier Empowerment Program team at [email protected].