University of Southern California
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Directive in the form of a new Office of Business Diversity and Economic Opportunity.
Website: https://communities.usc.edu/office-of-business-diversity-and-economic-opportunity-bdeo/
Website: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/

Supplier Diversity Services
The Department of Supplier Diversity Services works in tandem with Procurement Services to provide maximum procurement opportunities for Diverse Suppliers. The Department of Supplier Diversity Services is also a resource to academic and research units that have federally or state funded sponsored projects and need to develop goals to use Diverse Suppliers for research and service proposals (read below).

USC’s Goal to Procure with Diverse Suppliers
The university aspires to have 15% of all procurements made through Diverse Suppliers, regardless of source of funds. For the purposes of contributing to the university’s 15% overall goal, ‘Diverse Suppliers’ are defined as those that self-classify themselves on the Procurement Services’ Supplier Application Form as being one of the classifications that contributes to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal.

A list of the self-certified classifications that contribute to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal can be found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/

USC’s Goal to Procure with Small, Local Suppliers
Use of small suppliers who are located within the 26 ZIP codes surrounding the University Park, Health Sciences, Alhambra and Marina del Rey campuses also contribute to the university’s Diverse Supplier goal of 15%. This small and local business classification is regardless of owner ethnicity or gender.

A list of the ZIP codes that contribute to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal can be found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/

Federally Sponsored Project Account Goals
In order for the university’s federally-sponsored contracts to receive credit for using a Diverse Supplier, the supplier must qualify as one of the ownership classifications found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/.
The more stringently classified businesses also contribute to the university’s 15% goal (but not vice versa).

State Sponsored Project Account Goals
The only Diverse Supplier classification that contributes to state-funded, sponsored project goals is the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (CDVBE) classification. In order for the university’s state-funded sponsored accounts to receive credit for using a CDVBE, the business must provide a certificate from the state of California to Supplier Diversity Services.

Misrepresentation
Any person who misrepresents a firm’s status in order to obtain a contract at the university may be punished by imposition of fine, imprisonment, or both, subject to administrative remedies, including suspension and debarment, and be ineligible for future contracts.

Research Proposals and Contracts
Supplier Diversity Services assists academic and research units in developing Diverse Supplier goals for federal, state, and local funded research and service contracts at or above $500,000. Specifically, Supplier Diversity Services is responsible for developing Diverse Supplier government subcontract plans in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FARs) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARs). Once a contract has been awarded, Supplier Diversity Services is responsible for monitoring and reporting contract compliance of Diverse Supplier goals, preparing “Good Faith Effort” proposals, and submitting quarterly and semi-annual reports on the status of Diverse Supplier goal compliance to appropriate government agencies.

https://fpm.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USC-SDCG_FInal-PDF_20220722-1.pdf

"The Guidelines feature: a Process Management section
to guide the project team on roles and responsibilities,
key sustainability activities, and required tracking and
reporting; a Life Cycle Cost Analysis section to better
understand cost effective design options, over the
lifetime of a project; and an Environmental Life Cycle
Analysis section to assess the environmental impact of
project materials.

These Guidelines are a “living document” and will
mature along with the evolution of USC sustainability
policies and practices. We at USC Facilities Planning
and Management welcome all to use these Guidelines
and provide feedback over time. Assignment: Earth is everyone's responsibility!" -Christopher J. Toomey, USC Facilities Planning & Management

(4.1) "Project teams should consider conducting LCCA for items in the following categories: Mechanical Systems, Energy Systems, Electrical Systems, & Building Envelope."

A. Cleaning Supplies
The university will work towards increasing the procurement of cleaning products with reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants, as well janitorial paper products with certain environmentally friendly attributes (e.g., made with recycled content and/or post-consumer content, processed chlorine-free, and biodegradable).
Cleaning and janitorial paper products purchased by USC personnel and janitorial contractor(s) should meet one or more of the following certifications when possible:
• ECOLOGO (UL Environment)
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Green Seal
• U.S. EPA Safer Choice or Design for the Environment (DfE)
• USDA Certified BioBased
• Cradle to Cradle
Cleaning products include general purpose bathroom, glass, and carpet cleaners; degreasing agents; biologically active cleaning products (enzymatic and microbial products); floor-care products (e.g., floor finish and floor finish strippers); hand soaps and hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and metal polish and other specialty cleaning products. Most of these products are provided by USC’s contracted janitorial service provider so do not require purchase by USC deptartments.
Janitorial paper products include toilet tissue, tissue paper, paper towels, hand towels, and napkins.
Other cleaning and janitorial products and materials (e.g., cleaning devices that use only ionized water or electrolyzed water) are excluded.

B. Office and Breakroom Supplies
The university will work towards increasing the procurement of on-going purchases such as paper and other office products with certain environmentally friendly attributes (e.g., post-consumer recycled content, processed chlorine-free, recyclable, etc.).
1. Office Paper and Printing
All multi-use office paper purchased by the university shall be made from at least 30% post-consumer recycled content and/or be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified (FSC 100%, FSC Recycled, or FSC Mixed).
Consider using toner cartridges that are “remanufactured” and/or high yield”, when possible depending on device specific instructions. Ensure the cartridge company guarantees that their remanufactured cartridges meet or exceed the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards. USC has negotiated pricing with Office Depot (ODP) for those that meet this standard, and they are available on the ODP punchout catalog. If utilizing a non-preferred source or Amazon Business, please first look for a remanufactured option before buying new.
Members of the USC community seeking to significantly reduce their office printing costs and minimize their environmental impact can take advantage of TrojanPrint, USC’s Managed Print Services. For more information, please refer to the TrojanPrint (Managed Print Services) webpage at https://itservices.usc.edu/trojan-print/.
2. Office Supplies
Other paper office supplies – such as file folders, calendars, envelopes, and writing pads – should be made from at least 30% post-consumer recycled content. Preference shall be given to uncoated and non-laminated paper products whenever possible.
Preference should be given to items that are reusable or refillable. Non-paper office supplies – such as pens, mechanical pencils, highlighters, markers, scissors, staplers, and binders – should be selected from options with recycled content and be free of antimicrobial coatings, when available and possible.

3. Breakroom Products
Food service ware – such as plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery – should be reusable/extended-use instead of single use. If extended-use is not feasible, choose items that are bio-based, BPI certified compostable, or USDA Certified BioBased.

Per USC’s Single-Use Plastics Elimination Policy, all USC purchased beverages must be in glass bottles or aluminum cans. Discard used glass and aluminum in the appropriate recycle container on campus.

C. Durable Goods
1. Indoor Furniture
The university will work towards increasing the procurement of furniture meeting specifications for certain hazardous chemical classes (e.g., flame retardants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), heavy metals, etc.).
The following certifications and/or specifications should be considered when purchasing furniture:
• Cradle to Cradle
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• BIFMA level®
• PVC Free
• SCS Indoor Advantage
• UL GREENGUARD
Preference should also be given for durability of goods, refurbishing existing where practical and possible.

2. Electronics
The university will work towards increasing the procurement of electronics with certain environmentally friendly attributes (e.g., reduced or no toxic constituents, recycled content, designed for recycling, reduced materials use, energy efficient, extended product life/upgradeable, remanufactured, etc.).
The following specifications must be considered when purchasing electronic equipment: EPEAT certified (verification level “Bronze”, “Silver”, or “Gold”) and ENERGY STAR qualified. All electronics purchased by the university should achieve EPEAT Gold or highest available certification and/or be ENERGY STAR certified, where applicable.

3. Information Technology (IT) Equipment
All IT equipment purchased should meet the EPEAT criteria for certification at the Gold or highest available EPEAT level.
IT equipment includes all electronic product categories covered and defined by the current EPEAT ecolabel, including:
o Computers (desktop computers, notebook computers, integrated desktop computers, portable all-in-one computers, slates/tablets, small-scale servers, thin clients, and workstations)
o Displays (monitors and signage displays)
o Servers
o Imaging equipment (copiers, digital duplicators, facsimile machines, multifunction devices, printers, mailing machines, and scanners)
o Televisions
o Mobile phones
o Photovoltaic modules and inverters

4. Non-IT Equipment
All electrical products purchased – such as ceiling fans, refrigerators, heating/cooling appliances, air purifiers, water coolers, and vending machines – should have ENERGY STAR certification if the ENERGY STAR label is available for the product category.
When the ENERGY STAR label is not available for the product category, products purchased are encouraged to meet or exceed the upper 25% of energy efficiency for their product category, as designated by the Federal Energy Management Program. Please refer to www.energy.gov/eere/femp/search-energy-efficient-products for more information.
Please note that all EPEAT-registered products meet the ENERGY STAR technical specifications, however, not all ENERGY STAR qualified products (such as computers and displays) are EPEAT-registered because EPEAT includes additional environmental attributes rather than just energy efficiency.

D. Catering & Events (Food Service Providers)
As part of the university’s Assignment: Earth goals of building a more circular economy by achieving zero-waste, USC will strive for sustainable catering events practices. Outlined below is a guide to ensuring your next catering event utilizes environmentally and socially preferable products and services that help the university reach the goal of being zero-waste. Be sure to communicate to your catering service provider that USC is a sustainable campus. Also, promote your event as a “green event” and encourage participation in sustainable practices.
Information regarding how USC is working towards the goals set in Assignment: Earth such as zero waste, water reduction, and carbon neutrality can be found in the Facilities Planning & Management Sustainable Design & Construction Guidelines
Making Your Event Sustainable
Hosting sustainable “green events” is a great way for you to advance sustainability on campus. Little behavioral changes can add up to a big environmental impact!

• To reduce your carbon foot print, reduce the amount of meat you serve and/or consider serving a vegetarian menu.
• Stop waste before it starts. Consider not giving away swag.
• Go digital by sending invitations through email lists and social networking sites. Don’t print your materials. Use computers for presenting.
• Reduce single occupancy car trips and use Traveler to find alternative transportation options.
• A day or two before your event, connect with local organizations such as St. Francis or the Trojan Food Pantry to set up leftover food donations.
• Food leftovers end up in landfill, so be mindful of portion control. USC has eliminated single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus. Use hydration stations, water coolers/dispensers, and water fountains instead.
• Work with vendors who supply reusable service ware such as plates, glasses, cutlery, stir sticks, platters, and serving materials.
• Provide composting bins and contact FPM a day prior to the event to schedule compost pickup post-event. Assign volunteers to help guests recycle and compost properly.
• FPM can provide waste bins with “landfill” and “recycling” signage. Check out RecycLA.com for more waste sorting instructions and signage. Place waste diversion bins in high-traffic areas during the event, including set-up and breakdown. Make sure recycling items are clean and dry so they don’t contaminate the recycling bins.

Caterer Selection
When choosing to do business with a catering service for an event at the university, it is important to share with the vendor that USC is a sustainable campus. Considering the above bullet points, ask about ways in which the vendor can help USC achieve it’s goal of zero-waste.
Look for caterers with certifications such as the Green Restaurant Certification (GRA) or Fair Trade USA. Additionally, the below food categories are considered sustainable if it meets at least one of the criteria. Insist that your caterer uses one of these sustainable food sources.
• Seafood
o Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified
o Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Sustainability Ranking System (MBA Sustainable)
o Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)
o Sea Pact Member (sustainability improvement within seafood industry)

• Protein
o Never Ever Program Member (hormone free/antibiotic free/not fed animal by-products)
o Certified Humane Raised & Handled
o American Grassfed Association Certified (AGA Certified)
o Pasture Raised

• Produce
o Locally sourced within 275 mile radius or within the state
o Antibiotic free
o USDA Organic
o Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
o Protected Harvest Certified
o Non-GMO Project Certified
o Farm Sustainability Assessment
o Sustainably Grown Certified

• Groceries
o USDA Organic
o Fair Trade Certified
o Non-GMO Certified
o Global Growers
o Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

• Dairy
o Locally sourced within 275 mile radius or within the state
o USDA Organic
o Non-GMO Certified
o Antibiotic Free
o Pasture Raised
o USDA Graded Cage-free
o rBST free

• Disposable Items
o Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified Compostable
o Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) Certified
o Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified
o USDA Certified Biobased Product
o EcoLogo Certified
o Green Seal Certified

E. Promotional Garments and Products (excludes resale)
The university will work towards purchasing promotional items with environmentally friendly attributes (e.g., made from organic and/or recycled materials) as well as those made with respect to fundamental individual and employee rights.
When cost effective, look for garments and products made from organic and natural materials like cotton, hemp, linen, or wool which are biodegradable, as opposed to synthetic materials derived from plastics such as polyester and nylon.
When purchasing promotional garments and products made from synthetic materials – such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or spandex – preference should be given to those made from recycled materials.
Additionally, garments dyed with natural materials are recommended, when available.

Several of USC’s Preferred Suppliers for promotional goods publish a sustainable product listing to make selection of these options easier for purchase. Requesters and Requisitioners can go to the Buying Green page of the Business Services Website for links to supplier specific eco-conscious product offerings.

https://sites.usc.edu/procurement/purchases/sustainable-purchasing/

https://fpm.usc.edu/customer-guide-to-services/

https://fpm.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USC-SDCG_FInal-PDF_20220722-1.pdf

Introduction
The Management Process will guide USC and Project
Teams including architect, engineers, specialty consultants, construction contractors, end users, and FPM
staff on required roles and responsibilities, key sustainability activities, and required tracking and reporting
throughout and post project. Project Teams should
take an integrative process approach to ensure sustainability is considered throughout the project, and
the management process section is intended to guide
them in this effort.

2.1 Roles & Responsibilities
Sustainability Liaison(s)
USC intends to appoint one or multiple Sustainability Liaisons, who will serve as the point(s) of contact
for university-wide inquiries from faculty, staff, and
students about USC FPM Sustainability Design & Construction Guidelines (SDCG). This role is a link to
on-going coordination with the USC Office of Sustainability about the FPM sustainability stewardship efforts
in support of the facility related goals of Assignment:
Earth. The Sustainability Liaison role will be supported
by other stewards for sustainability including FPM
Project Managers, Design & Construction Teams and
others in FPM support roles.
Project Manager
The FPM project manager for each project is the FPM
project lead and accountable for the execution of the
Sustainability Design & Construction Guidelines and
other project criteria. The Project Manager is the daily
point of contact for SDCG applications related to each
new building, renovation or assets renewal projects assigned to them. This involves working closely with
the entire Project Team ensuring the appropriate
strategies are pursued and driving toward completed
documentation in alignment with the Sustainability
Design & Construction Guidelines and other agreed
upon project goals. Further, project managers should
share pursued strategies and any lessons learned from
guidelines implementation with FPM to inform any
needed changes to the management process.

FPM Project Support
The FPM Project Support are the people, work processes and systems within FPM that provide technical,
operational, tracking, reporting and documentation
support to each project. The support areas critical to
the Sustainability Design & Construction Guidelines
include FPM/FMS Engineering Services, FPM/FMS
Operations & Maintenance and FPM Controls, Finance
& Administration. The involvement and contribution from these areas include FPM business practices
and policies, contracts, e-builder project management system, FPM website management, technical
operations and maintenance of campus wide utilities,
buildings, and grounds.
Design Teams
Design Teams are the architects, engineers and specialty professional service consultants including third
party owners’ advisor sustainability consultant hired
by USC to advise a project in accordance project
requirements and who are responsible for evaluation,
documentation, integration and execution of these
Sustainability Design & Construction Guidelines as
part of their professional services. The SDCG will be
used to inform the approaches, evaluations and design
solutions which will be vetted by the Design Team with
the USC Project Manager and broader Project Team
through applicable analysis, discussions, and documentation throughout each phase of their work.
Construction Teams
Construction Teams are the general contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, and others hired by USC to
construct a project in accordance with project Contact
Documents and who are responsible for executing the
Sustainability Design & Construction Guidelines as
applicable in their work. These Sustainability Design
& Construction Guidelines will be used to inform the
approaches, evaluations and documentation which
will be vetted by the Construction Team with the USC
Project Manager and broader Project Team through
applicable analysis, discussions, and documentation
throughout each phase of their work.

Published measures to minimize the size of the campus fleet or otherwise reduce the impacts of travel or transport:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/sustainability
Green Buses
USC currently operates 23 bio-diesel buses.
Impact: Both Diesel is safer than gasoline because it is non-toxic and does not compromise those living in our community or the environment. Biodiesel fuel reduces toxin compounds by 75-85%.

Fuel Station
USC offers B20 biodiesel fuel at the fuel station by the Parking Center.
Impact: B20 Biodiesel allows unmodified diesel engines to use alternative fuel without modifying the engine. Since biodiesel is not a fossil fuel it can cut greenhouse-gas emissions as well as ordinary pollutants (particularly soot) by displacing petroleum diesel fuel.

https://fpm.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USC-SDCG_FInal-PDF_20220722-1.pdf
FPM Guidelines (Required Measures pg.25)
B Access to Alternative Transportation
The school provides services including
shuttles, buses, carpools, and bicycle and vehicle parking infrastructure to
ensure affordable and equitable campus access to all stakeholders.

USC has developed the following design recommendations to promote healthy, low
carbon transit alternatives such as increased pedestrian access, improved
bicycle circulation and walkability, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Strategies
Minimum Requirements:

Pedestrian Access
Design the project site with clear, accessible and continuous pedestrian access

Include Effective Bicycle Circulation and Parking Systems
Design or locate the project to provide sufficient bicycle access and short-term storage Additionally, provide long- term bicycle storage for residential facilities

Best Practices:
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) within project parking facilities

Access to Transit
Locate functional entries to buildings within 1⁄4 mile walking distance of bus, streetcar or rideshare stops, and 1⁄2 mile of planned bus rapid transit or commuter rail stations (eg MetroLink) to promote building occupant use of transit

https://energyinstitute.usc.edu/electric-vehicles/
Mitsubishi Motors – USC Partnership (In Development)
Together USC and Mitsubishi Motors will develop a series of smart grid research and development projects that will be run by the USC Smart Grid Living Laboratory, an initiative of the Viterbi School’s USC Energy Institute. Electric Vehicle Smart Grid Project Mitsubishi has provided USC a fleet of new i-MiEV electric vehicles and charging stations. The vehicles serve in the Department of Public Safety, the Campus Cruiser Program, USC Sustainability, Trojan Athletics and the USC motor pool. Mitsubishi will consult with USC throughout the course of the research program and share a wealth of information based upon the company’s industry-leading know-how in 100 percent electric-powered vehicles.

Data up to date as of 11/01/23

Additional information:

Buying Green: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/buying-green/

Green Certifications: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/green-certifications/

Sustainable Procurement Initiatives: https://green.usc.edu/programs/procurement/

USC Transportation: https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/sustainability

USC Sustainability Report: https://bpb-use1.wpmucdn.com/sites.usc.edu/dist/5/720/files/2023/02/FY22-Annual-Sustainability-Report_FINAL.pdf

FPM Guidelines: https://fpm.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USC-SDCG_FInal-PDF_20220722-1.pdf

Sustainable Purchasing (access through USC shibboleth): https://sites.usc.edu/procurement/purchases/sustainable-purchasing/