| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.94 |
| Liaison | Samuel Crowl |
| Submission Date | Aug. 11, 2021 |
Ohio University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Diana
McGrew Assistant Director of Procurement Purchasing |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Standard evaluation criteria used in all RFPs: "Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives - The University recognizes its responsibility to foster stewardship of our natural resources and to promote environmental citizenship through its purchasing decisions when practicable. Please provide information on any environmentally friendly or sustainability initiatives that have been implemented at the manufacturing, transportation, distribution or other processes in the supply chain."
Purchasing policy for Ohio University 55.0.30 now includes sustainabilty statement.
Guidelines from the Finance/Purchasing/Supplier Information webpage (https://www.ohio.edu/finance/purchasing/supplier-information, scroll down)
"Sustainability
The Department of Finance fully supports the efforts of the Office of Sustainability and the Ohio University Sustainability plan. The Office of Sustainability has released guidelines for sustainable purchasing. These guidelines include sustainable attributes of purchased goods, disposal of goods, and a recommended sustainability clause for RFPs and RFQs."
Sustainable Purchasing guidelines from the Office of Sustainability page referenced on the Supplier Information page are at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/administration-hub/procurement.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Ohio University uses third party LCCA in procurement, though does not do its own in house LCCA. An example is the purchase of low temperature freezers by Fisher Scientific. Fisher presents LCCA about freezers to researchers, who then can choose to purchase those with the low life cycle costs. There is a team developing a LCCA tool specifically for Ohio University,, but it is not for general use yet.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
"Ability to offer sustainable products" is one of the proposal evaluation criteria for the University's custodial and janitorial supply RFPs. Culinary Services also purchases sustainable cleaning supplies (EcoLab certified). Also see sustainability criteria at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/programs/Procurement.cfm for cleaning supplies guidelines. Pilot project for Kimberly Clark gloves.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
See sustainability criteria at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/administration-hub/procurement for sustainably harvested guidelines for wood products and post-consumer recycled content for paper purchases. "Recycled Content: The purchaser should always favor higher post-consumer recycled content materials. Any paper or wood product that claims "virgin" (non-recycled) material is to be avoided."
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
There is a published sustainability statement in the University Architecture, Design & Construction design standards, which can be found at https://webcms.ohio.edu/sites/default/files/sites/facilities/architecture-design-construction/DesignConstructionStandards_04-21-2021.pdf. Ohio University requires all new buildings and substantial renovations over $2 million to be LEED Silver certified. "All major construction and renovation projects will be expected to have a LEED analysis evaluation. New construction and existing building’s projects budgeted at or above $2 million will meet or exceed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification. Projects consisting only of infrastructure, equipment, furnishings and systems will be evaluated for LEED applicability. Projects budgeted under $2 million will employ an equivalent LEED‐based approach." Also, at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/administration-hub/procurement, "Sustainably Harvested: Wood products such as furniture and office supplies should be certified as sustainably harvested (FSC Certified) or rapidly regenerating (such as bamboo)."
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
See sustainability criteria at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/administration-hub/procurement for the requirement for EPEAT Gold computer and computer appliances. "Computers and computer appliances must be rated EPEAT Gold or better"
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Standard sustainability statement was included in RFP for laundry services: "Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives - The University recognizes its responsibility to foster stewardship of our natural resources and to promote environmental citizenship through its purchasing decisions when practicable. Please provide information on any environmentally friendly or sustainability initiatives that have been implemented at the manufacturing, transportation, distribution or other processes in the supply chain."
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Sustainability criteria were used to evaluate recent utilities and water contracts:
"Preference will be given to a supplier that can assist the University with its goals to 1) reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions, 2) reduce campus and building energy intensity, and 3) increase renewable energy generation and sourcing."
LEED criteria are used in evaluating A&E contracts (see above).
Standard sustainability statement was used in energy consulting services RFP: "OHIO University is committed to being a steward of our environmental, social and financial resources and, as such, gives preference to bidders who can effectively speak to their commitment to sustainability. The OHIO University Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan (found online at www.ohio.edu/sustainability) outline institutional goals and benchmarks that are expected to be addressed in the successful bidder’s submission. In particular, Bidders are asked to speak of their values and practices in relationship to emission reduction and what experiences and skillset they bring that can best assist The University in achieving its goals."
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
See sustainability criteria at https://www.ohio.edu/sustainability/administration-hub/procurement for vehicle purchasing guidelines. Sustainability language is on vehicle acquisition form. Sustainability criteria is in e-scooter contract.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data provided by Diana McGrew 4/7/2020.
Entered by Sydney Hutchinson.
Links updated by Elaine Goetz, 9/17/21
Data provided by Diana McGrew 4/7/2020.
Entered by Sydney Hutchinson.
Links updated by Elaine Goetz, 9/17/21
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.