Broadline Medical Inc., a Richmond, Calif.-based medical supplies maker, won a contract to supply sponges and towels to group purchasing organization Premier healthcare alliance.

The GPO is touting the deal as part of its diversity program to help female, minority and veteran-owned businesses. The program, called SEEDS (Sourcing Education & Enrichment for Diverse & Small Suppliers) has 4 existing members.

Broadline joins AMD-Ritmed of Tonawanda, N.Y., Medline Industries of Mundelein, Ill., Cardinal Health, of McGaw Park, Ill. and AllCare of Bartlett, Ill. in Premier’s outreach program.

 Premier awards anesthesia supply contracts

Premier signed 2 new deals for anesthesia equipment, accessories and other supplies. The contracts went to Draeger Medical and a GE subsidiary called Datex-Ohmeda. The anesthesia products will be offered to Premier’s network of 2,800 U.S. hospitals and 98,000 medical sites.