Mission Statement

University Supplier Diversity Program's mission is to expand enrollment and participation of small/minority businesses on University contracts, by facilitating the opportunity for said businesses to provide valuable, quality, timely goods and services, while building mutually beneficial, respectful, lasting business relationships with the University community.

USDP Core Values

USDP Policy Statement

The University of Connecticut is committed to providing a professionally inclusive environment within which small/minority businesses are encouraged to participate in the procurement experience, as they are afforded equal access to the bid process that transfers goods and services to the campus communities.

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SMBE Connect

ps_NewsFlash

Connecticut Business Matchmaker 3/5/2026

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An Amazing Success, Connecting Buyers with Suppliers!! 

The Connecticut District Office collaborated with SBA district offices across New England to host a comprehensive Business Matchmaker event at the Connecticut Convention Center on Thursday March 5th.

The event featured a business expo, a dedicated matchmaking room, and a series of workshops designed to help small businesses connect with procurement opportunities. Buyers included representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as prime contractors seeking qualified suppliers.

SBA Deputy Administrator William “Bill” Briggs delivered opening remarks and rang the bell to officially kick off the matchmaking sessions, which included more than 800 prescheduled one-on-one appointments between buyers and small businesses. The event brought together businesses from across New England seeking to build relationships and compete for government and prime contracting opportunities.

This CT Business Matchmaker was a collaboration between SBA, CT Offices of Manufacturing, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Administrative Services and the Women Business Development Council.

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2026 Women Who Build Summit April 28-29, 2026 | UMass Amherst

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The Women Who Build Summit celebrates an inspiring day of educational presentations, motivational stories, confidence-boosting interactions, and networking opportunities. This unique conference includes keynotes, breakout sessions, expert panel discussions, and focused workshops, with presentations by regional, national, and international speakers, all designed to spark interactions between attendees. The event brings together women and men to celebrate, to explore, to connect, to share, and to inspire the innovators and glass-ceiling breakers of tomorrow. 2026 Women Who Build Summit – The Construction Institute, Inc.

Construction Contracting with the State: Prequalify to Bid

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Monday, May 18; 12 PM – 1 PM

Prequalification is a vital step for contractors seeking to engage in significant state or municipal construction projects. Contractors planning to bid on or perform work for projects that cost more than $1M must become prequalified. In this session, we’ll cover the application process and demonstrate how to use CTsource, the state’s contracting portal, to search for bids and explore subcontracting opportunities.

Location: Online – Minority Construction Council