Small, Woman-owned, Minority-owned Businesses (SWaM) Program
At Virginia State University, we’re on a mission to cultivate economic empowerment through our Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned (SWaM) Program! As a proud participant in the Commonwealth’s SWaM initiative, we are committed to breaking down barriers, elevating diverse suppliers, and surpassing statewide procurement goals. Our Office of Procurement Services integrates SWaM priorities across all sourcing—from formal solicitations in eVA to small-purchase orders—ensuring certified diverse businesses receive maximum visibility, support, and contracting opportunity.
The SWaM Program isn’t just policy—it’s transformative action. VSU actively encourages SWaM-certified vendors to register and participate in eVA, the Commonwealth’s central purchasing portal. Once registered, vendors tap into a vast marketplace of more than 12,000 buyers, gain free catalog storefronts, and receive valuable analytics about who is buying their products or services. This platform empowers SWaM vendors with tools to compete on equal footing, access teaming opportunities, and rapidly expand their reach—propelling them from local supplier to trusted university partner.
Our goals are bold—and measurable. We’re focused on:
- Expanding SWaM spend beyond Virginia’s 42 % goal through both formal and small purchases.
- Amplifying vendor readiness via training sessions, procurement fairs, and one-on-one coaching.
- Elevating SWaM firms in every major campus sourcing event, including our annual SWaM Vendor Fairs.
- Monitoring impact by tracking contract awards, spend percentages, and vendor growth year-over-year from our dashboard.
Every connection and opportunity with a SWaM vendor is intentional and impactful. At Virginia State University, we go beyond compliance—we lead with purpose. The Office of Procurement Services, under the leadership of our Executive Procurement Director, Jameelah Scott, is committed to fostering partnerships that align with our academic, research, and operational business needs. Whether sourcing lab equipment for a research project, procuring supplies to support a grant initiative, or identifying qualified vendors for specialized campus services, we actively engage and prioritize SWaM-certified businesses. Vendors are encouraged to schedule capability briefings, attend events, and collaborate with our procurement staff to understand upcoming opportunities and position themselves as trusted partners in our mission.
Excited to join the momentum and be part of GREATER HAPPENS HERE at VSU?
Here’s how to get started with SWaM success:
- Become SWaM Certified through the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) and open the door to state-wide opportunities.
- Register in eVA, Virginia’s official procurement system, to explore current solicitations, showcase your offerings, and connect with public agencies.
- Connect with VSU’s Procurement Team by attending our vendor events, scheduling one-on-one capability briefings, or requesting tailored vendor support.
- Get involved and be seen at our annual SWaM Vendor Fairs and campus sourcing events by reaching out to procurement@vsu.edu or calling (804) 524‑6994.
SWaM Vendor Fairs: Building Partnerships, Driving Progress (2024 & 2025)
Our 2024 and 2025 SWaM Vendor Fairs have served as pivotal platforms where diverse suppliers meet decision-makers in a focused environment designed for meaningful connection and growth. These events brought together procurement professionals, prime contractors, government agencies, and campus leaders to engage in productive dialogues, showcase innovative products and services, and explore collaborative opportunities. From insightful keynote speakers to interactive vendor demonstrations and structured networking sessions, the fairs exemplify VSU’s commitment to fostering inclusive contracting and advancing supplier diversity.
