How Small is "Small Business"?
Verizon's Small Business Supplier Accelerator program aligns with US SBA's size standard requirements for small business. Verizon will also honor small business certifications obtained pursuant to guidelines set by state and local government agencies and non-profit partners, provided that the criteria applied are compatible with SBA standards and the process of validating eligibility meets Verizon's requirements.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses by providing assistance and protection through its extensive network and partnerships. The SBA considers small businesses as those that have been certified pursuant to the SBA's size standards or have self-certified as a small business on SAM.gov and appear in the SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search database. Verizon will also honor small business certifications obtained pursuant to guidelines set by state and local government agencies and non-profit partners, provided that the criteria applied are compatible with SBA standards and the process of validating eligibility meets Verizon’s requirements.
Registering with the SBA
The SBA helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses by providing assistance and protection through its extensive network and partnerships. We recommend registering with SBA via SAM.gov for mandatory compliance and access to federal opportunities.
What We Buy
Verizon’s purchasing needs span a wide array of categories, from the highly technical equipment that forms the backbone of its network to the professional services required to operate the best network in America. These needs are driven by its consumer and business-facing product offerings, its internal corporate functions, and its strategic technological direction.
Verizon’s supply chain is heavily influenced by its core business of providing mobile and home internet services. This necessitates a constant demand for network hardware, software, and the skilled labor to deploy and maintain it. Furthermore, its expansion into new technology frontiers, such as 5G, IoT, and fleet management solutions through Verizon Connect, creates procurement needs for specialized components, platforms, and services.
Verizon's Key Procurement Categories and Descriptions
| Category | Sub-Category | Description & Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Network & Infrastructure | Cell Site Equipment and Services | Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) for cell towers and sites, including HVAC services, electrical contracting, tower leasing, and access. |
| Outside Plant and Test Equipment | Installation, splicing, and maintenance of fiber optic and copper cables; trenching, boring, and pole placement services; specialized network testing equipment. | |
| Engineering and Installation Services | Network design, civil engineering, site acquisition, and professional installation services for network hardware and customer premise equipment. | |
| Access, Transport and Video Products/Services | Procurement of network transport services, video content delivery network (CDN) components, and related hardware. | |
| IT & Digital Transformation | IT Hardware, Software, and Services | Servers, routers, switches, enterprise software licensing, cybersecurity platforms, cloud computing services, and managed IT services. |
| Edge Data, Switching and Network OSS | Components and services supporting 5G Edge computing, network switching infrastructure, and Operational Support Systems (OSS) for network management. | |
| Corporate & Professional Services | Marketing and Advertising | Digital marketing agencies, media buying services, creative services, public relations, market research, and commercial printing. |
| HR Benefits and Training | Third-party administration of employee benefits, corporate training and development programs, recruiting services, and HR consulting. | |
| Financial and Legal Services | Accounting, auditing, tax consulting, management consulting, and external legal services. | |
| Professional Services | General business consulting, project management, and other specialized professional expertise. | |
| Operations & Logistics | Logistics, Fleet and Travel | Third-party logistics (3PL), transportation and freight services, fleet vehicle acquisition and maintenance, GPS tracking solutions, and corporate travel management. |
| Real Estate and Security Services | Facilities management, commercial real estate services, physical security guard services, and alarm monitoring. | |
| Sustainable Products/Services | Sourcing of products with recycled content (e.g., paper), e-waste recycling and disposal services, and other environmentally responsible goods and services. | |
| Printing and Document Management | Large-scale printing of marketing collateral and customer bills, secure document shredding, and enterprise document management solutions. |
Partnering with the Verizon Small Business Supplier Accelerator
Verizon's Small Business Supplier Accelerator is partnering with innovative small businesses across America to build an inclusive supply chain and drive next-generation technology and innovation for our customers.
Supplier Operational Requirements
To be considered for partnership, suppliers must meet the following fundamental operational and stability criteria:
Small Business Definition (SBA): A business must conform to the size standards set by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which vary by industry based on average number of employees or average annual receipts. You can find the specific size standards on the SBA's official website: https://www.sba.gov/. We recognize certifications from all U.S. state and local government bodies and non-profit organizations that qualify under SBA small business standards.
Financial Stability & Creditworthiness: Suppliers must prove they are financially sound and creditworthy.
Established Business: Suppliers must be able to provide a legal company name, demonstrate revenue, and have been in business for a minimum of three years.
Continuous Improvement: Suppliers may be required to demonstrate their capabilities and show a commitment to process and performance improvements.
Tax & References: Suppliers must provide a federal taxpayer ID and may be required to furnish references from past and current customers.
Insurance & Bonding: Suppliers must provide comprehensive insurance, including Commercial General Liability, Commercial Auto Liability, Workers' Compensation, Employer's Liability, and Professional Liability. Bonding may also be required.
- Background Checks: Suppliers must certify that they have conducted (or used an agency to conduct) criminal history checking, drug testing, and verification of education and employment history for all personnel.
Quality Processes: Suppliers may need to establish and implement an effective Quality Management System (QMS) with defined processes (e.g., TL9000/ISO 9001) that measure continuous improvements.
Qualification and participation in these programs do not guarantee current or future contracting opportunities with Verizon.