Second Tier Subcontracting

Second Tier Program

BellSouth continuously strives to improve its MWDVBE program initiatives through a robust Second Tier/Subcontracting program. This program requires our large prime contractors to increase minority, women, and disabled veteran-owned business through subcontracting opportunities.

The Second Tier Program serves as an enhancement to, and not as a replacement for, existing efforts aimed at increasing meaningful opportunities for SMWDVBEs to participate as Tier 1 suppliers. We require that our commitment to supplier diversity be shared with our top suppliers. These suppliers must provide quarterly reports showing the percentage they spend with diverse suppliers. Furthermore, the BellSouth Supplier Diversity Group proactively introduces SMWDVBE businesses to our top suppliers, helping build relationships and business opportunities. BellSouth’s Second Tier strategy enhances our existing initiatives.

Tier 2 Quarterly Reporting

Tier 2 Reporting FAQs
Tier 2 Reporting User Guide (PDF)

BellSouth has a longstanding commitment to the inclusion of Minority, Women, and Disabled Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (SMWDVBEs) in our supplier base.

In addition to our own outreach and development efforts, we expect our prime suppliers (i.e., those who deal directly with us) to support our policy goals by engaging SMWDVBEs as subcontractors in the production of goods and services for BellSouth. Prime suppliers’ spending with SMWDVBE subcontractors constitutes Tier 2 supplier diversity spending by BellSouth, and we track these results within our program.

In order to make this a more consistent and convenient process for both our prime suppliers and ourselves, we utilize a new Web-based reporting tool - the DiversityBusiness.com SDP from Computer Consulting Associates International, Inc. Please use this tool for Tier 2 supplier diversity spend reporting to BellSouth.

The User’s Guide (PDF) explains the reporting procedures in simple, easy-to-follow terms. To view the Second Tier User's Guide, you will need Adobe Acrobat. Download Adobe Acrobat for free.

Before you file your first report, there are a few key steps to take:

1. If your company is not already a member of DiversityBusiness.com, please register as a prime supplier on the DiversityBusiness.com Web site www.div2000.com/bellsouth.
2. Instruct your SMWDVBE subcontractors to register with DiversityBusiness.com (www.div2000.com/bellsouth and click “new registration”). Until they are registered, you will not be able to report your spending with them. Please note that there is no cost for either prime suppliers or SMWDVBEs to register under this program.
3. Become familiar with the specific data and reporting requirements for your designated method of reporting. (See FAQs for examples.)