Supplier Diversity at NorthWestern Energy

At NorthWestern Energy, we work together to deliver safe, reliable, affordable and innovative energy solutions that are sustainable and create value for customers, communities and investors. As we strive to achieve our mission, we focus on core principles such as providing value for our shareholders and customers, acting as a good corporate citizen in support of our communities and valuing diversity, equality and inclusion. We have always supported the growth of local businesses in our service territories.
A box of new Itron meters in a warehouse
In compliance with government procurement contract requirements, we are also focusing our efforts on diversifying service and material suppliers when possible, which we expect will provide more opportunities for small businesses to participate in our supply chain and procurement processes. The program we are initiating will support all types of small business ownership, including disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned and minority owned businesses.

NorthWestern Energy is looking to build a network of diverse partners who have the ability to meet our local needs. Please refer to our supplier code of conduct to better understand NorthWestern Energy's requirements of its Suppliers before registering as a diverse supplier. 
Our Supplier Code of Conduct

Register With NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy invites you to self-certify as a diverse supplier and create a profile within our supplier diversity records. You will be added to a list of diverse suppliers that is provided periodically to NorthWestern Energy's personnel who are responsible for bid solicitations and the selection of vendors for the performance of services or supply of goods.


Supplier Diversity Registration Form

Small Business Categories 

Self-certification will fall under one of the following categories. If you classify as one of the subcategories below you may be eligible to provide services or materials to Northwestern Energy as a diverse supplier:

  1. SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN: Is one that is owned by a U.S. citizen(s) and that falls within the federal government's size standards for small business. The government's small business size standards may be found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation 19.102 and on the government's website: Small business size standards (sba.gov)
  2. MINORITY‐OWNED SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more individual(s) who are African American, Hispanic American, Native Indian American, Asian Indian American, Subcontinent-Asian American or Asian Pacific American. Acceptable certifications are provided by the National Minority Supplier Development Council, local minority diversity councils and by federal, state and local Governments.
  3. MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more individual(s) who are an African American, Hispanic American, Native Indian American, Asian Indian woman.
  4. WOMEN‐OWNED SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women and whose management and operations are controlled by one or more women.
  5. HUB‐ZONE SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business whose primary office is located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone and 35 percent of whose employees reside in the HUB-Zone. The federal government requires that companies that represent themselves as a HUB-Zone small business must be certified by the SBA.
  6. SERVICE‐DISABLED VETERAN‐OWNED SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or in the case of a permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.
  7. VETERAN‐OWNED SMALL BUSINESS: Is a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more veterans, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.
  8. SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS: Is a small business that: is at least 51 percent owned by an individual(s) who the federal government considers to be socially and economically disadvantaged; has its management and daily operation controlled by such an individual(s); and, whose owner(s) net worth, excluding equity in the business and primary residence, does not exceed $750,000. Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent-Asian Americans, as well as any others who believe they are socially and economically disadvantaged may qualify. The federal government requires that companies representing themselves as small disadvantaged business must be certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration.


Register With The Government 

You can apply online at https://usfcr.com/sam-registration to certify your business formerly for federal contracting and grant opportunities.

In general, only U.S.-based, for-profit companies may qualify as small business concerns for U.S. government procurement. Eligibility as a small business concern is based on the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13, Parts 121, 124, 125, and 126, issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA). You may also consult the SBA Office in your area to be listed as a small business concern.

Self-certifying your company as a small business concern is permissible except for HUBZone small business concerns, which require certification by the SBA.