Area businesses can access Purchasing Division's "Blue Binder" at Public Library locations

Local business owners can now access information on how to  work with Knox County’s Purchasing Division at any Knox County Public Library. Every library location has a "blue binder" filled with information on how to become a vendor or submit a bid for a project with Knox County government...more>>

First Six Companies Graduate from County’s Mentor-Protégé Program

Six local companies have received the first certificates of completion from the County’s Supplier Diversity Mentor-Protégé Program.  Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale talked about the importance of helping our local small businesses become successful.  “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.  They create 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs nationwide.”...more>>

Mission

The mission of the Supplier Diversity Program is to increase the opportunity for diversity in the companies doing business with Knox County by encouraging participation through site visits, providing education and support regarding policies and procedures, actively recruiting all interested suppliers, and ensuring equal opportunity in all procurement related activities.

Mentor Protégé Mission

The Mentor-Protégé Program was designed to increase minority participation for sub-contractors seeking to be a part of a County project, and to see relationships and networks being built among all of the participants. It is great to see large companies helping smaller companies become successful.

A mentor can provide a wide range of assistance including, but not limited to, technical and management assistance, financial assistance in account procedures and tax reporting, offerings of subcontracts, and assistance in the performance of prime contracts with the County government in the form of joint venture arrangements. The mentor and protégé together decide on the length of their relationship, and either party can terminate the arrangement with 30 days notice.

To qualify, mentors and protégés must meet a short list of qualifications, including having a Knox County business license and to be current on federal, state, county and city taxes.

Click here to print application or go to:
Knox County Purchasing Division, Supplier Diversity
1000 North Central Street, Suite 100,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917, 865-215-5756
Coordinator, Robert Minter