We recently highlighted the City of Seattle's policy on digital equity, but the city is also dedicated to engaging in socially responsible procurement and fostering social equity through public procurement. Let's dive into the meaning of socially responsible procurement, explore how social equity can be possible through public procurement, and share Seattle's achievements.
Social equity recognizes that certain groups, such as marginalized communities, racial and ethnic minorities, women, the disabled, and the economically disadvantaged, have historically faced systemic discrimination. It aims to address these disparities by promoting policies, practices, and programs that strive for equal access to resources, opportunities, and rights for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
4 key aspects of social equity
Similarly, being committed to socially responsible procurement means incorporating ethical, sustainable, and socially-conscious considerations into the procurement process. When making purchasing decisions, governments need to take into account not only the cost and quality of goods and services but also their impact on society and the environment.
4 key aspects of a socially-responsible procurement policy
How is Seattle demonstrating its commitment to socially responsible procurement?
The key to Seattle is to actively strive for open and equitable procurement procedures, fair and competitive pricing, environmentally sustainable solutions, adherence to best labor practices, equal access to benefits, and the inclusion of Women-owned and Minority-owned Businesses in the city's public procurement process.
4 key aspects of Seattle's socially responsible procurement policy
At GLASS, we are wholeheartedly committed to social equity and socially responsible procurement, channeling our efforts towards facilitating connections between governments and local, diverse, and small businesses. We firmly believe that our endeavors play a significant role in bridging societal gaps, and we encourage everyone to glean insights from our experiences and champion socially responsible procurement in all its facets.