COVID-19 Response - Seeking Additional Supplies
As cases of COVID-19 increase, The Resource Group is accepting leads for spot buy opportunities.
If you are a supplier and are interested in potentially providing supplies to our Participant sites, please fill out the link below.
In accordance with updated guidelines around COVID-19 testing, The Resource Group is sourcing leads for test kits. If you are a supplier with test kits available, please click on the link below.
Due to the increase in demand of COVID-19 testing, The Resource Group is sourcing leads for reference labs to increase external testing capacity. If you are a national or regional lab, please clink on the link below.
Please note, form submission is not a guarantee of purchase by The Resource Group. Thank you in advance for your support of caregivers across our Participant sites during this time.
Learn How We Can Both Achieve Our Goals
Join our Quarterly Supplier Call on September 4, 2020
During this call we will review our unique User-Directed Integrated Solutions, specifically Strategic Sourcing, and provide an open forum for the supplier community to ask questions about The Resource Group. Our intent is to enhance the understanding of our process so that we may better serve both our Participants and our suppliers. We also hope to strengthen our supplier relationships as we work toward our shared goal of serving patients with the highest quality care at the lowest cost.
Details
- September 4, 2020 at 1:00 PM CST
- Join using this link: https://ascension.zoom.us/j/92155119229
We look forward to connecting with you!
A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future
At The Resource Group, we strive to ensure that our supplier relationships are mutually beneficial. We have found that our model benefits suppliers while delivering high-quality and competitively-priced products and services to our Participants.
What are the benefits of becoming a supplier with The Resource Group?
- Trust and Integrity: The Resource Group’s solutions delivers the highest levels of contract compliance in the industry, so suppliers can trust that our Participants will meet commitments. Our supplier credentialing process further solidifies this commitment, assuring that non-contracted suppliers do not have direct access to our Participant caregivers.
- Implementation Support: The Resource Group provides on-site, dedicated implementation teams at every Participant to assure that products and services are converted to the selected supplier(s), consistently achieving a 90% level of on-contract supply spend.
- Market Share: The Resource Group’s solutions focuses on eliminating variation wherever possible so suppliers can be confident that if selected, Participants will purchase maximal volume through The Resource Group’s national contract and price. Standard operational processes support alignment of the item master, vendor master, and charge master across all Participants further ensuring adherence to these contracts.
- Attribute Model: The Resource Group’s solutions focuses on selecting products and services based on attributes rather than brand preference or personal bias, so suppliers can expect that their products or services will be fairly evaluated regardless of their market position.
The Resource Group’s goal is to lower the cost of providing health care. Supplies alone can exceed 20 percent of an organization’s operating expense, and the average healthcare provider has a single-digit profit margin. The Resource Group’s User-Directed Integrated Solutions are based on the idea that above all else, we should meet the needs of the caregiver. By listening to caregivers first, we create a highly-accepted contract portfolio that offers competitively-priced products and services that match the needs of caregivers.
With today’s challenges, it’s more important than ever that we work together to lower costs across the entire resource and supply management function so that providers can continue to deliver quality care to their communities. We believe that through cooperation with the supplier community, we can accomplish this together.
Register below if you are interested in becoming a supplier with The Resource Group.
Prospective Supplier Registration Portal
Scott Caldwell, CEO of The Resource Group, recently commented in a podcast about the relationship between The Resource Group and the supplier community, “Our promise is also to the supplier. If the supplier has negotiated in good faith to deliver a certain number of things to our caregivers – namely, the attributes that have been requested by the caregiver - then it’s our responsibility to implement the contract appropriately and fully in service to the caregiver.”
Supplier Credentialing
At The Resource Group, we understand the caregiver’s highest priority is to provide quality care and it is our responsibility to facilitate this through our processes. We utilize a supplier credentialing system, SYMPLR, so that we can manage our relationships effectively and provide a healthy and safe environment for all associates and patients. Contracted suppliers will notice the SYMPLR System when visiting a Participant and will need to sign in to access the facility.
You can find more information about this policy on our Supplier Resources page.
Diverse Supplier Program
The Resource Group is founded on a promise of service excellence to everyone with whom we interact, including our Participants, caregivers, suppliers, and associates. Integral to living out this promise is our commitment to building a high-performance culture of individuals who are inspired by the mission of engaging certified minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses as product and service providers for The Resource Group’s Participants (including acute care, non-acute care, higher education, and industry organizations). Establishing business relationships with first- and second-tier suppliers to provide products and services is not only part of our mission and a strategic business practice, but it is also the right thing to do for the Participants and communities we serve.
The Resource Group follows the definitions of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to determine diverse-owned businesses. Below are some examples of current definitions. A full list of small business definitions can be found on the SBA website.
Women Business Enterprise (WBE): A business that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women.
Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB): A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE): Minority group members that are United States citizens who are African American, Asian-Indian, Asian Pacific, Hispanic and Native American. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals i.e. the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group members.
Minority-Owned Small Business (MOSB): A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by minority group members that are United States citizens who are African American, Asian-Indian, Asian Pacific, Hispanic and Native American.
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB): A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by one or more veteran.
Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE): An independent business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more veterans, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Center for Veteran’s Enterprise (CVE) verifies VBE and SDVOSB status to eligible businesses. To be recognized as a veteran-owned business, a company must be verified by the CVE and registered as such in the VA.gov/osdbu Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database. (Formerly vetbiz.gov)
Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOB):
(1) Means a small business concern—
(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and
(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.
(2) Service-disabled veteran means 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).
Small Business Enterprise (SBE): A firm, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation, and qualifies as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121 (see FAR 19.102). A table of small business size standards can be found on the SBA website.
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB): A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged; for a publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its stock must be owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and must be controlled by one or more such individuals. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Native Americans are presumed to qualify. Other individuals of non-designated groups can qualify if they show by a “preponderance of the evidence” that they are disadvantaged. All individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the equity of the business and primary residence. Successful applicants must also meet applicable size standards for small businesses in their industry. For further definition see http://www.sba.gov/sdb/. To be recognized as a SDB, a company must be certified and registered as such in the System for Award Management (SAM) website.
NOTE: The 8 (a) Business Development Program is a nine-year business development program for socially and economically disadvantaged concerns. Note that 8 (a) contractors are certified as SDB for federal contracting purposes, and are listed in Small Business Administration’s (SBA) on-line directory http://dsbs.sba.gov/pro-net/dsp_dsbs.cfm. 8 (a) program graduates maintain SDB certification status for three years from their last SBA review.
Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business (HUBZone): A United States Small Business Administration (SBA) program for small companies that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone). The HUBZone program was created in response to the HUBZone Empowerment Act created by the U.S. Congress in 1998. Based on the WomAct, small businesses will be designated as HUBZone-certified if they have the following criteria:
- The firm must be a small business based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)[2] for size standards.
- The business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe (including Alaska Native Corporations).
- The firm's principal office (the location where the greatest number of employees performs their work, excluding contract sites) must be in a HUBZone.
To be recognized as a HUBZone, a company must be actively certified and registered as such in the System for Award Management (SAM) website. Additional HUBZone program information can be found on the HUBZone website.
Q: What is a diverse supplier?
A: A diverse supplier is defined as a U.S. citizen owned small, minority, veteran, or woman-owned business.
Q: Does The Resource Group guarantee business to diverse suppliers?
A: No. The Resource Group does not guarantee business to any supplier. The Resource Group is committed to provide an opportunity for diverse suppliers to compete and sell value-added products and services to The Resource Group.
Q: Does my business qualify as a diverse supplier?
A: We welcome all competitive suppliers to support The Resource Group. To be considered as a diverse supplier, your company must be at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by U.S. citizens and fall within the definition of a diverse-owned supplier as listed by the U.S. Small Business Alliance (SBA).
Q: How does a diverse supplier learn about upcoming opportunities to work with The Resource Group?
A: We encourage all diverse suppliers who want to work with us to register in our Supplier Registration Portal. Upon registering, we will keep your information for reference when contracting opportunities become available. At that time we may contact you for a copy of your current certification documentation, along with company brochures or other information that briefly describe your core competencies.
Q: What are the next steps after I register in The Resource Group Supplier Registration Portal?
A: Once you have completed the registration on The Resource Group Supplier Registration Portal, you will receive an email confirmation acknowledging that your information has been added to the system. Members of the Strategic Sourcing Solution will have access to this system to search for prospective suppliers as opportunities become available. Supplier profiles should include your company’s capabilities. Please note, completing the registration does not guarantee business with The Resource Group.
Q: I have registered in The Resource Group Supplier Registration Portal, but I have not heard back from The Resource Group regarding opportunities. What should I do next?
A: You should receive an email from us confirming a successful registration in The Resource Group Supplier Registration Portal. However, registering will not guarantee business and/or contract with The Resource Group. We will keep your information in the database in order to contact you when opportunities become available in your category.
Q: What are my chances of being selected as a supplier?
A: We are committed to incorporating diverse businesses in our contracting process across our organization. Your chance of being selected as a supplier depends on your company's offerings and how it aligns with our business needs.
Diverse Supplier Certification
Q: Does The Resource Group accept self-certified businesses?
A: Yes. For the purpose of supplier diversity self-certification, The Resource Group recognizes the categories of diverse-owned businesses as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Q: How do I get certified as a diverse supplier?
A: Certification is a process managed by a third party to determine that a business is diverse. The Resource Group does not require suppliers to register with any specific organization. You can contact any of the following national certifying agencies, their regional affiliates or the appropriate state or local government entities for certification:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Center for Veterans Enterprise
- Approved State, City, Local Government Municipalities
Q: I have a variety of certifications from different federal, state and city municipalities. Does The Resource Group accept these certifications?
A: The Resource Group does not require diverse suppliers to register with any specific organization. We welcome diverse suppliers who are interested in doing business with The Resource Group.
Q: Has your status as a diverse supplier changed? What if my status as a diverse supplier has changed?
A: If your status has changed, you should notify us as soon as possible at SupplierDiversity@TheResourceGroup.com. The change will not affect our supplier relationship, but it does impact our ability to keep information on diverse suppliers up to date.
Q: What if I have additional questions about Supplier Diversity or the Supplier Registration Portal?
A: Please call 314.733.8818 or email SupplierDiversity@TheResourceGroup.com.
Tier 2 Program
Q: What is a Tier 2 Program?
A: A program through which The Resource Group works with its prime suppliers to establish diverse spend goals and strategies when working with The Resource Group.
Q: Does The Resource Group recommend prime suppliers use certain diverse suppliers?
A: The Resource Group only refers diverse suppliers to prime suppliers for their consideration. The Resource Group does not influence or provide recommendations to prime suppliers on any specific suppliers.
Q: How does The Resource Group ensure that prime suppliers do business with diverse suppliers?
A: In every step of the procurement process, from Request for Information (RFI) to Request for Proposal (RFP), The Resource Group supplier diversity standards and requirements are included. Working with diverse suppliers is a part of the contract agreement between The Resource Group and prime suppliers.
If prime suppliers do not have an existing supplier diversity plan/goal in place, we ask our prime suppliers to develop a plan and goal on how they will increase spend with diverse suppliers.
Q: How do prime suppliers report on their diverse spend?
A: Tier 2 diverse spend is reported quarterly by the supplier by sending a completed copy of The Resource Group Tier 2 Reporting template to SupplierDiversity@TheResourceGroup.com. For more information, review The Resource Group Supplier Diversity Tier 2 Reporting Guide.
Supplier Diversity Tier 2 Reporting Guide
To learn more about our Diverse Supplier Program, please contact Katrina Scott, Senior Manager, Diversity & Sustainability at 314.733.8818 or SupplierDiversity@TheResourceGroup.com.