The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the Birmingham Public Library will host a special event to debut a new, free service that will make vendor applications and notices of contracts more accessible to disadvantaged small business owners who don’t have access to computers.

April 11, 2008

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the Birmingham Public Library will host a special event to debut a new, free service that will make vendor applications and notices of contracts more accessible to disadvantaged small business owners who don't have access to computers. The event will be Monday, April 14 from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Public Library, Five Points West Branch, 4812 Ave. W. Local Birmingham area small business owners will be on hand at the event to demonstrate how the new service operates.

Disadvantaged small business owners who don't have access to computers can visit one of 20 Birmingham Public library locations to log onto a computer and complete the UAB vendor application online. Vendors can access the application through a link on the Birmingham Public Library's Web site. Librarians will be on hand to help business owners complete the vendor application. Business owners may also view upcoming contract opportunities through a link to UAB's Procurement Web Site. Disadvantaged businesses include businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and the disabled.

The new service is being offered by the UAB Department of Supplier Diversity and the Department of Procurement in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library.

Access forms are available at www.minoritydev.uab.edu/VendorApp.asp. For more information, contact Ken Johnson in the UAB Department of Supplier Diversity at 205-934-8762.