Doing Business with the Chamber

How to Become a Vendor with the Chamber

As a local organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Black business community, we welcome the opportunity to work with other businesses to provide goods and services the chamber might need to operate. We give priority to our members first for all contracts, as outlined in our Members First Procurement Policy. To bid on a contract with the chamber, please fill out the vendor registration and W-9 form below. Once your form is submitted, someone from our team will follow up with you.

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Members First Procurement Policy​

  1. Statement of Policy – This policy, known as the “Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) MEMBER-FIRST Purchasing Policy,” supports a triple bottom line – economic, environmental, and social. The Chamber supports business practices that are:
    1. Purchase products and/or source services based on efficiency and effectiveness, with a priority towards Chamber membership; and
    2. Purchase products and/or procure services that are sourced locally and manufactured by Chamber membership, to the greatest extent practicable.
  2. Purpose – This policy is adopted in order to:
    1. Ensure Chamber membership priority and preference in all Request For Proposals (RFP),
    2. Provide economic support to local area businesses,
    3. Develop a greater impact in the small business community with preference to small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses,
    4. Strengthen and support strong local markets by encouraging the Chamber staff to use such products whenever practicable,
    5. Create a model for successfully purchasing from membership that encourages other purchasers in our community to adopt similar goals.
  3. Specifications – Source of Product/Service:
    1. Chamber shall institute best management practices to ensure Chamber membership receives priority and preference in procurement whenever practicable and cost-effective, but without reducing safety or workplace quality.
    2. Chamber shall purchase products or source services locally, but without reducing safety, quality or effectiveness.
    3. All buyers shall consider short term and long-term costs in comparing product alternatives, when feasible. This includes evaluation of total costs expected during the time a product is owned, including, but not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal costs and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.
    4. Products that are durable, long-lasting, reusable or refillable are preferred whenever feasible.
    5. Chamber requests vendors to eliminate packaging or use the minimum amount necessary for product protection, to the greatest extent possible.
    6. Packaging that is reusable or recyclable or is preferred, when suitable uses and programs exist.
  4. Priorities
    1. The health and safety of workers and citizens is of utmost importance and takes precedence over all other policies.
    2. Chamber membership shall receive preference and priority when RFPs are issued.
    3. Nothing contained in this policy shall be construed as requiring a department, purchaser or contractor to procure products that do not perform adequately for their intended use, exclude adequate competition, or are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period of time.
  5. Implementation
    1. The CEO of the Chamber or designee shall implement this policy in coordination with other appropriate personnel.
    2. Whenever possible, Request for Proposals (RFPs) will include requests for pricing for recycled/re-refined products as well as standard pricing. RFPs will also request that the respondents provide a list of environmentally responsible products to be used in the project.
    3. Successful bidders shall certify in writing that proof of membership can be provided. In compliance with State law, vendors shall be required to specify the minimum or actual percentage of recovered and postconsumer material in their products, even when such percentages are zero.
    4. Bidders who provide proof of membership will receive a 5% price preference on Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
  6. Program Evaluation
    1. The CEO or his designee shall periodically evaluate the success of this policy’s implementation. Report the progress of policy implementation by the Chamber to the Board of Directors
  7. Exemptions
    1. Nothing contained in this policy shall preclude the Chamber from requiring membership as a bid specification.
    2. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as requiring an agency or contractor to procure products that do not perform adequately for their intended use or are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period of time.
  8. Effective Dates
    1. This policy shall take effect on July 1, 2017.