Ball State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Ball State University is committed to pursuing sustainability practices that positively affect the environment. Some of these practices include the purchasing of EPEAT and Energy Star electronics when feasible, striving to achieve LEED standards in renovations and new construction and extending a product's life cycle through reuse. Ball State University makes every effort to reuse items, recycle all items (when feasible), and when recycling is not an option; only contract with disposal companies that can guarantee 100% of all waste and discarded materials do not end up in landfills.

References (attached):

• Energy Efficient Equipment Resolution
• Sustainable Purchasing Working Policy
• https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/sustainability

Our institution integrates Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) as a matter of practice into the design guidelines of building projects on campus. These guidelines require designs to obtain the lowest life cycle cost that is consistent with a high quality building. Designs include energy conservation features that can be economically justified within the LCCA criteria. Our institution also prioritizes utilizing LEED standards in new construction, which includes efforts to utilize energy and water efficiently. These practices include:
 Furnishing materials with low embodied energy
 Furnishing materials that save energy during building operations
 Using construction practices that use water efficiently
 Furnishing water conserving appliances and equipment
 Landscaping the project site for water conservation
 Capturing and utilizing rainwater
An example of these efforts are outlined in the Sustainable Design Requirements documentation for the new Foundational Sciences Building (see attached, section 1.3, parts “G” and “H.”)
In addition to LEED standards, Ball State University as a state supported institution is subject to compliance with Indiana Public Works statutes of the Indiana Code (IC), as such, all energy efficient technologies are evaluated using the LCAA criteria. As stated in IC 5-16-12.2-4, “To the extent technically and economically feasible, the contracting agency shall consider the use of energy efficient technology in the plans and specifications for the public works project.” As added by P.L.159-2003, SEC.2.
(http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/005#5-16-12.2-4)
The Indiana code defines “Public projects” and “Energy efficient technology” as follows:
IC 5-30-1-12"Public project"
Sec. 12. (a) "Public project" means the process of designing, constructing, reconstructing, altering, or renovating a public building, an airport facility, a sewer, a drain, or another structure or improvement that is paid for out of:
(1) a public fund; or
(2) a special assessment.
(b) The term includes either of the following:
(1) A process described in subsection (a) relating to a building or structure leased by a public agency under a lease containing an option to purchase.
(2) A public improvement to real property owned by a public agency.
(c) The term does not include the process of designing, constructing, altering, or repairing a public highway (as defined in IC 9-25-2-4).
As added by P.L.74-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.166-2011, SEC.2.
http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/004#4-13.6-9

IC 4-13.6-9-1"Energy efficient technology"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "energy efficient technology" refers to any of the following:
(1) Geothermal heating and cooling.
(2) Geothermal hot water generation.
(3) Solar hot water generation.
(4) Photovoltaic power generation.

Reference: Sustainable Design Requirements and BSU Procedures and Guidelines (pg. 12-13)

*Document references uploads are included in attachment in part 3

Ball State University Facilities, as required by the LEED standard and as documented in the Sustainable Design Requirements documentation, makes every effort to purchase only chemically intensive commodities that meet the qualifications to be certified as “Green Seal.” Examples of these products include, but are not limited to the following: GC-03 certified anti corrosive paints, GS-11 certified paints, coatings, stains and sealers and GS-36 certified commercial use adhesives. In addition, chemically intensive services are to meet the LEED standard as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council.

-BSU Statement document
-Sustainable Design Requirements Document

In addition to the policy of purchasing sustainable office products when feasible, Purchasing Services also stocks FSC certified, 10 and 30 percent recycled office paper on site, which it provides to campus. This helps ensure that less eco-friendly options are not widely used by various departments across the campus.

Reference: Sustainable Purchasing Working Policy (section 2.0)

 The University goal (when feasible) for lounge furniture is that it is made within 130 miles of campus and 70% of their materials come from within 500 miles. Vendors should use packaging that is 100% recyclable and materials come from recycled content. The furniture is designed to be renewed directly in the field to reduce transportation waste. The renewable feature also contributes to the long lasting life cycle. The policy standard is listed in the Sustainability Purchasing Policy.


Reference: Sustainable Purchasing Working Policy (section 2.3.2)

It is the resolution of the University to purchase computers/peripherals, appliances and entertainment systems that are Energy Star compliant. In addition, Purchasing Services also received the 2022 Sliver award by the Northeast Recycling Council, State Electronics Challenge (SEC) for its purchasing of EPEAT rated electronics.

Reference: Energy Equipment Resolution and Sustainable Purchasing Working Policy (section 2.3.1).

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/sustainability

Ball State University included the following language in its most recent RFP for a “Prime Food Vendor,” outlining the preferred sustainability capabilities of our selected providers.

12. SECTION TWELVE SUSTAINABILITY
12.1 The University is committed to advancing the culture of sustainability on its campus and in the world. By employing a multi-faceted approach involving improving efficiency and incorporating sustainable considerations in varied areas like power production, waste management, and procurement, the University has secured its position as an innovative leader in sustainability. Against this backdrop, The University supports sustainability initiatives by spearheading efforts to source wholesome, minimally processed, regionally grown food for meals served.
12.2 The University is regularly faced with challenges to sourcing locally and sustainably grown foods and processed food, leading to the hypothesis that individual institutions and small scale participants in the existing food distribution system face systematic challenges. Detail your company’s ability to support the University’s sustainability and healthy sourcing goals. Please outline your plan to increase the University’s sustainable food spend
12.3 Are you able to provide local spend (250 mile radius) products?
12.4 Are you tracking and reporting local product?
12.5 Can you provide monthly financial analysis and tracking of local (within 250 mile radius) spend, as a department/account? Can you provide this information as a % of total spend & pounds?
12.6 Are you able to provide third-party certified products such as, USDA organic, Food Alliance sustainable, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), etc.?
12.7 Are you able to add local companies to our purchasing options as requested by the University?
12.8 Are you able to identify second tier minority spend?
12.9 Describe any environmental or “Green” initiatives that you company has implemented or plans to implement.

Much of the laundry service is contracted out, and as stated in our terms and conditions, vendors are to adhere to all Federal and State laws/statutes pertaining to labor, wages and hours worked. In addition, the University belongs to the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC). Clothing products containing the BSU name and/or logos must adhere to FLA and WRC standards. In addition, the BSU Bookstore is the exclusive provider of undergraduate academic regalia which is made from sustainable materials.

We, the Ball State University community, affirm our commitment to protect and enhance the environment through our learning, research, service and administrative operations. We seek to foster a community that sustains ecological systems and educates for environmental awareness, local action, and global thinking.
We seek to incorporate environmental principles and environmentally responsible practices as fundamental and integrated components of all BSU operations and programs. Our fundamental principles are to:
• Incorporate environmental concerns as a significant priority in university decision
making.
• Seek alternative practices and procedures to minimize negative impacts on the
environment.
• Conserve natural resources and restore environmental quality.
• Protect the biodiversity of our region and serve as a living laboratory and habitat for
local species.
• Consider the social, economic and environmental impacts of Ball State University’s operational policies and foster a participatory process in developing these policies.

Our decisions and actions will be guided by the University’s Mission Statement, reflective of the University’s resources, and informed by the University’s Strategic Plan.

In addition, The University actively seeks out minority, veteran and women owned companies to conduct business with when feasible. The University includes minority, veteran and women owned businesses on all bids when possible.

Reference: Purchasing from Traditionally Disadvantaged Business Policy

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/diversity-spending

Ball State does not have a formal policy/criteria regarding transportation and fuels.

Vehicles being purchased for campus use are focusing on E85 and Eco Boost if available.
Using Renewable fuel.
Diesel Vehicles (buses, shop trucks) run on b20 bio-diesel fuel, produced from agricultural products such as soybeans and other organic products.
Gas/electric Hybrid vehicles purchased for use on campus.



Reference: https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/transportation

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/sustainability

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/005#5-16-12.2-4

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/004#4-13.6-9

http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/005#5-30

https://www.bsu.edu/campuslife/dining/about-us

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/procurement#accordion_trademark

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/procurement

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/transportation

https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/purchasing/diversity-spending