How can the QPA influence supplier diversity in procurement?

The correct choice highlights the proactive role a Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) plays in fostering supplier diversity during procurement processes. By incorporating diversity goals and actively seeking bids from diverse businesses, the QPA supports a more inclusive procurement strategy. This approach not only enhances competition among suppliers but also encourages the participation of underrepresented businesses, which can lead to innovation and better service delivery.

Setting diversity goals is essential because it establishes clear objectives for engaging diverse suppliers. This can help in creating opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, and other disadvantaged businesses to compete for government contracts. By seeking bids from these diverse suppliers, the QPA contributes to economic equity and helps ensure that public procurement reflects the community's demographics.

This active engagement differs fundamentally from the other options, which suggest a passive approach that would not advance supplier diversity. While those choices may not promote diversity effectively, the chosen option clearly illustrates how a QPA can make a significant impact on creating a more diverse supplier base within the procurement framework.