Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.66
Liaison Michael Kensler
Submission Date Jan. 23, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Auburn University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 John Corgill
Assistant Director
Procurement & Business Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

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:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
Broad-based purchasing guidelines can be found at http://www.auburn.edu/administration/business-finance/pbs/supplier-diversity.html and at http://wp.auburn.edu/sustainability/learn/sustainable-purchasing-at-auburn/.

Part 2: Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically Intensive Products and Services

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:
Auburn University has incorporated sustainable cleaning practices/products into its contracts for custodial services; includes on-contract pricing for Green Seal, UL ECOLOGO, US EPA Safer Choice, and Forest Stewardship Council products in its Maintenance, Repair, & Operations contract with Grainger; and incorporates sustainable cleaning practices/products into its own in-house campus operations.

Construction and Renovation 

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:
The university's Design & Construction Standards require all board-approved building projects be designed & constructed to LEED Silver or higher standards, which require consideration of the sustainability characteristics of building materials and furnishings.

Information Technology (IT) 

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:
Auburn has a stated preference for EPEAT Silver and Gold products in the following categories: desktop computers, notebook/laptop computers, displays, thin clients, tablets, TVs, and imaging equipment. The vendor contract with GovConnection allows for on-contract pricing for EPEAT-certified products.

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
The call for bids and final executed agreements for on-campus vending included sustainability performance as a selection criterion, and requires sustainability practices as a part of the contract performance and review.

Garments and Linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

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

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:
Auburn University Procurement & Business Services works with preferred vendors to acquire both products and services. As a result of these efforts, Auburn University has entered into a contract agreement with Enterprise/National for the procurement of vehicle rental services for university operations. As a result of this contract, Auburn University travelers are expected to rent Compact or Midsize class vehicles unless sharing the rental with more than 2 other AU business travelers. Rental of sport utility vehicles, minivans, or other kinds of specialty vehicles require justification and prior authorization from the PBS travel auditor. University travelers are highly encouraged to rent hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles when there is availability.

Wood and Paper 

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:
Auburn University maintains a preference for the purchase of post-consumer waste recycled content copier paper. As such, the office supply preferred vendor contract with Staples offers 30, 50, and 100% recycled-content paper options with on-contract pricing for all campus units.

Other Commodity Categories 

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?:
No

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

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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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.