Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.56
Liaison Georgeann Moss
Submission Date Dec. 22, 2021

STARS v2.2

Dallas College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Charles Fennell
Associate Chief
Purchasing
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:

The commodity-specific standards listed in Part 3 are written in Dallas College’s request for proposals (RFPs), the Design and Construction Standards, and the Bond Program. We are in the process of compiling these standards for a new Green Purchasing Standards Manual, a living document encouraged to be updated as new industry standards emerge and new local ordinances and state laws are adopted.

The following is published on Dallas College's public website:

Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Compliance

Dallas College believes that our organization has a financial, social and environmental responsibility to the community to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for Dallas County and its citizens.

We demonstrate our commitment to sustainability in these ways:

We comply with local, state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
We actively promote and participate in conservation and pollution prevention activities.
We continuously integrate process improvements in our operations.
We purchase environmentally responsible goods and services.

Compliance Is a Shared Responsibility
The environmental performance of Dallas College’s contractors, vendors and consultants directly affects our ability to protect the environment and comply with environmental laws and regulations.

If selected as a contractor, vendor or consultant, you also will be responsible for knowing and complying with the environmental protection laws, ordinances and regulations which apply to the work you do for Dallas College​​.

We Prefer to Purchase Environmentally Preferable Products
Environmentally preferable products and services have a lesser or reduced negative effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose.

See examples of environmentally preferable products and services.​​
https://www.dallascollege.edu/about/sustainability/pages/commitment.aspx

Dallas College policy for purchasing includes "the total long-term cost to the district to acquire the goods or services," supporting lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA) and total cost of operations (TCO) strategies for sustainable procurement. https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/358?filename=CF(LEGAL).pdf (page 3, for Factors of Purchases Valued at of Above $50,000)


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 less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

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

Dallas College policy for purchasing includes "the total long-term cost to the district to acquire the goods or services," supporting lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA) and total cost of operations (TCO) strategies for sustainable procurement. https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/358?filename=CF(LEGAL).pdf (page 3, for Factors of Purchases Valued at of Above $50,000)

Dallas College has initiated a framework to address infrastructure needs to support the next generations of college students contributing to the Dallas Region economy. The Facilities Improvement Plan (FIP) for FY2020-21 is an estimated investment of $30 M across all Dallas College campuses.

The FIP addresses long-term maintenance needs to support critical infrastructure utilizing natural resources to secure energy and water supplies, and an overall healthy and safe learning environment. Estimates of building lifecycle assessment include the operational and ownership of building foundations, building envelopes, building HVAC systems, and plumbing and electrical systems.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes

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

Chemical Products and Cleaning Products (85% VOC Limit, Green Seal GS-42 for Cleaning Products, from RFP)

Lighting, LED lighting or CFL lighting is preferred (UL 1993, UL 8750, from Bond Program)

Paints and Architectural Coatings (85% VOC Limit, Green Seal certified, from Bond Program)


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:

Bio-based Materials (75% minimum content, ASTM D 6866, from Bond Program)

Paper and Paper Products (Forest Stewardship Council Mix or higher, from RFP)


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:

Furniture (Green Guard, Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 336 Certified, from Bond Program)

Carpet and Flooring (50% Recycled Content, Cradle to Cradle Certified or NSF 140 SCE Certified, from Bond Program)

Roofing (PVC with minimum R-value of R-25 and Energy Star certified, from Design & Construction Standards)


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:

Electronics, Computers, Printers, and Related Equipment (E-PEAT and/or Energy Star certified, from RFP)

Energy Efficiency Equipment and Systems (International Energy Conservation Code 2015, Energy Star certified and/or UL Environment certified, from Bond Program)


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:

Food Service and Catering (Recycling and/or Zero Waste options, Local, Organic and/or Dietary options, Sustainable and/or Fair Trade options, from RFP)

Dallas College food service is outsourced to Subway. Subway does have published sustainability and environmental policies and guidelines that include sustainable agriculture, sustainable packaging, resource conservation and climate action.
https://www.subway.com/en-us/aboutus/socialresponsibility/environmentalleadership

The Dallas College Subway contract for food service includes a sustainability statement:

“Contractor is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. Contract shall implement business practices to increase the Franchisee's profitability, improve customers' dining experience and protect the planet. Business practices may include the following:
- Streamline operations to reduce waste and carbon footprint
- Implement increasingly efficient equipment for the conservation of water and energy
- Redesign and implement sustainable packaging materials like bags, bowls and paper products as determined by the Contractor
- Work with suppliers to optimize its product packaging and reduce waste streams for the breads, meats, cheese, sauces, produce, paper and cleaning products used
- Increase recycle-content, recyclability, degradability and compostability and eliminate unnecessary packaging as determined by the Contractor
- Option to serve dine-in guests on deli paper-lined reusable baskets or lined tray
- Test ways to eliminate the necessity of plastic bags to secure to-go items”

Dallas College catering is outsourced to America to Go (ATG). ATG has a published sustainability guideline: https://www.americatogo.com/resources/whats%20trending%20-%20sustainability.pdf.

In addition, the ATG website has a filter for sustainability to make it easier to locate sustainable caterers.

Dallas College vending is outsourced to Canteen. Canteen has a published Green Practices that addresses sustainability: https://www.canteen.com/sustainability/


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:

Facilities Department and Student Life started a Committee to explore reuse and ecofriendly options for event tablecloths.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:

Architectural and Engineering Services (Preferred experience with USGBC-LEED, from RFP and Bond Program)

Electricity Purchasing (Preferred Green-e certified RECs, from RFP)

HVAC (Indoor Air Quality Management Plan required for all new construction, from Bond Program)


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

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

Vehicles (Preferred leasing over purchase to support circular economy strategies for continuous service, maintenance, and vehicle upgrade at end of lease term to the most efficient option to meet the transport needs of employees and students, from RFP)

Facilities Department, Police Department, and Office of Sustainability will consider alternative fuel and electric vehicles for purchasing criteria.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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