Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Hannah Moskowitz
Sustainability Analyst
Office of Sustainability
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Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:

Life Cycle language is in American University design standards and our LEED construction and DCRA Energy and Sustainable codes also require certain modelling and benchmarking to be conducted.

Life Cycle language can also be found in the Procurement & Contracts Policy and Guidelines: http://www.american.edu/policies/upload/Procurement-and-Contracts-Policies-Procedures-Guidelines.pdf

"American University is committed to providing a safe and healthful environment for its employees,
students and visitors and managing the University in an environmentally sustainable and responsible
manner. PCD works with the Sustainability Department to encourage the use of products that
minimize adverse environmental and health effects and take into consideration costs associated with
full product life cycles."


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

Complete published Green Cleaning Policy (includes: high performance cleaning program, sustainable cleaning products, materials and equipment, indoor chemical and pollutant source control, floor cleaning and cleaning chemical safety): https://www.american.edu/policies/upload/Green_Cleaning_Policy-508SIG.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

Guidelines for Facility Alterations, Additions Requirements and Furniture can be find in the AU Sustainable Purchasing policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993

Other guidelines for construction and renovation can be found in the American University Design and Construction Standards: http://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/upload/American-University-Design-and-Construction-Standards-05-03-16.pdf "Furnishings shall contain the maximum amount of recycled content allowed that retains material integrity, contains as much locally harvested and processed or extracted and processed(within 500 miles) material, rapidly renewable material, and FSC-certified content as feasible. Any adhesives/sealants must comply with the maximum allowable VOC requirements as defined by SCAQMD. Composite and agrifiber products must contain no added urrea formaldehyde resin limits, as applicable."


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

Published guidelines for electronics and appliances purchasing can be found in the Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993

The goal is that at least 40% of the cost of goods purchased with comply with one of the following criteria: Energy Star labeled products(when available), Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tools(EPEAT) rated products(at least bronze level). The equipment replaces conventional gas-powered equipment, i.e. maintenance equipment and vehicles.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:

Published within AU's Sustainable Purchasing Policy, apparel must be sourced from apparel suppliers who conform to the Fair Labor Association's code of conduct and who have been included in the Designated Suppliers Program by the Worker Rights Consortium, if applicable. The policy can be found here: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:

The American University Design and Construction Standards provides guidelines for professional services: http://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/upload/American-University-Design-and-Construction-Standards-05-03-16.pdf

This publication has been prepared for the guidance of Consultants providing architectural and
engineering services under contract to the American University (AU) and was developed with input from key stake holders including, Facilities Management (FM), Planning and Project Management (PPM), Facilities Administration, Public Safety, Office of Sustainability, Auxiliary Services, and Housing & Dining Programs and Office of Information Technology

All services including architectural, engineering, and financial are evaluated according to a prescribed list of criteria including sustainability when required. Especially on existing architectural, engineering and construction on campus facilities and projects.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

From the sustainable purchasing policy:
American University’s goal is that at least 40% of the cost of goods purchased will comply with criteria including that the equipment replaces conventional gas-powered equipment, i.e. maintenance equipment and vehicles

http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:

Guidelines for Wood and Paper can be found in the AU Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993

American University purchases recycled paper for printing. Support printing vendors that print on 100% recycled and FSC certified paper. Office supplies purchased monthly from WB Mason to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

Other Commodity Categories can be found within AU's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=2010993

Durable Goods: Achieve sustainable purchases of at least 40% of total annual spend on electric powered equipment. Reduce Mercury Lamps: At least 90% of all mercury-containing lamps contain no more than 90 picograms of mercury per lumen hour. Bottled Water: Purchase no single-serve bottled water for university consumption. Ongoing Consumables: Goal is that at least 60% of the cost of goods purchased will comply with one or more of the following criteria: Contains at least 10% post-consumer and/or 20% post-industrial material, contains at least 50% rapidly renewable material(e.g., bamboo, cotton, cork, wool), consists of at least 50% Forest Stewardship Council(FSC)-certified paper products, rechargeable batteries.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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