Business to Business Program Initiative

Download a list of certified businesses. Click here to download.

Jackson Energy Authority recognizes the value of diversity and the vast resource a diverse group of suppliers provide businesses. As the number of minority, women and local small business owners grows in Madison County, we want to ensure that our suppliers reflect this increasing diversity.

The Business to Business Program initiative gives certified businesses an equitable opportunity to compete for business at Jackson Energy Authority in a buyer-sell relationship. Our mission is to provide proper training and support to “local”, “small” and “minority owned” businesses to enable them to compete on a larger scale. We seek to establish an environment, which fosters creativity, business growth and economic development and distinguishes the JEA as a leader in supplier diversity.

Policy Statement
It is the intent of Jackson Energy Authority to encourage the growth of minority, women, and locally owned small businesses. The Business to Business Program provides these businesses an equitable opportunity to compete in contracts for goods and services, in a contractor or subcontractor arrangement with JEA. This will ensure that a representative proportion of the goods, services and construction projects purchased and contracted by JEA are supplied by minority, women, and locally-owned small businesses.

In this regard, prime contractors will be encouraged to seek out and utilize subcontractors who are certified and a part of the Business to Business Program.

How does it all work?

• Most products and services are purchased or contracted through a competitive bid process.
• Requests for competitive bids are solicited by telephone, written requests for quotations and public advertisement for sealed bids.
• All suppliers and contractors requested to bid receive the same information.
• Prime contractors will be encourage to utilize Business to Business Program businesses when the opportunity exists.

Certification
Minority, women, and locally owned small businesses must maintain an annual certification of their classification to participate Jackson Energy Authority’s Business to Business Program. JEA accepts certification by the Uniform Certification Agency (UCA), currently housed in Memphis for the West Tennessee Area.

Download the certification form. Click here to download.

What should you expect?
Prospective suppliers and contractors will receive...

• A detailed description of the product or service requested.
• An objective evaluation of the supplier’s bid and quotation.

How do you benefit?

• Jackson Energy Authority can become a valuable business source for your growing business.
• The experience and credibility gained by being a supplier for JEA could open doors to new bidding opportunities with other companies.
• Getting certified with the UCA allows you to be recognized in all other states requiring certification.

Do you qualify?
If the ownership of your business meets at least one of the classifications, we want to hear from you.

• Minority Businesses are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled. Minorities include: African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian-Pacific Americans who are United States citizens.
• Women-Owned Businesses are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a female or group of females who are United States citizens.
• Local Small Businesses are those located in Madison County, Tennessee that meet the DOT guidelines for their business or product category and are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a resident or residents of the Madison County Area.