Supplier diversity

The Transparency and Accountability in Procurement Act (HD 4759) described by Ed Gaskin (“Supplier diversity can reduce racial wealth gap,” 1/10/24, Boston Herald) is no doubt well-intentioned, but I hope the state Legislature will consult representatives from private industry, and seriously listen to their answers, before proceeding with the requirements for all private organizations over $100 million in annual revenue to report on their supplier diversity spend.

As a career (private sector) procurement professional, I can attest to the serious efforts that have been made to increase spending with certified minority, women, veteran, disabled, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses. However there are significant challenges associated with converting intent to contracts.

To be certified, diverse suppliers must be privately held by individuals who meet the socially defined requirements. Because they cannot accept funding that dilutes their ownership, these businesses are often small and poorly suited to supply businesses over $100M in revenue. In addition, it is expensive to secure and maintain a diversity certification, meaning that these businesses are constantly re-thinking their choice to hold one. The effort required to keep supplier diversity records up to date is not only costly and time intensive, it can open buy-side companies up to repetitional risk if a certification has lapsed but their spend is still included in reports.

The effort to increase supplier diversity is ongoing and worthwhile, as evidenced by the fact that companies have run formal programs since the 1960s and continue to invest in them without regulation. Before making the state of Massachusetts less business friendly on yet another front, the Legislature should hear what the companies who would be covered by this Act have to say.

Kelly Barner

Shrewsbury

John Kerry

The departure of John Kerry from the post of presidential special envoy on climate is an event that deserves some discussion (“John Kerry, the US climate envoy, to leave the Biden administration,” 1/13/24, Boston Herald). Kerry has been a  highly courageous public servant to Massachusetts and the nation. As climate envoy, with his prior experience in the Senate and as Secretary of State, he was able to  engage with major international players and make important contributions in the fight against climate change.

His first entry into Massachusetts politics was marked by similar courage. As a veteran with Purple Heart, silver and bronze stars for his service in Vietnam, he returned to the Commonwealth to speak out against the Vietnam war as a spokesperson for the Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

We reserve the term “statesman” for individuals showing both dedication to public service and major accomplishments on the national and world stages. Kerry is just one such statesman.

Bill Beckett

Watertown