| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Sept. 7, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dawson College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
By-Law 10 of the College states that sustainability objectives can be considered when not abiding by the provincial guidelines for public institutions to choose the lowest bidder when going to tender for purchased goods and services. This clause in by-law 10, in turn, is associated with a Sustainable Purchasing Guide to help educate purchase agents about the range of sustainability considerations (various eco-logos, certifications, and different environmental, economic and social concerns).
Section 4.01 of Dawson's General Policy on Procurement:
The College acquires goods and services at the best overall price while meeting the following requirements:
I. Preference is given to:
a. goods and services that are consistent with the Dawson College Sustainability
Policy;
b. local suppliers, to the extent permitted by agreements entered into by the
Government;
c. group purchasing agreements;
d. partnerships and exchanges of services with other public bodies.
II. Competition amongst suppliers is fostered; and
III. Procurement is transparent, allowing potential suppliers to have ready access to timely information on business opportunities, criteria for assessment of bids and competition results.
By-Law 10 (purchasing): https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/wp-content/external-includes/spdocs/documents/bylaw-10procurement.pdf
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Electronics purchasing reviews quality products, including end-of-life costs. Computers and monitors are especially reviewed for energy saving and the facilities management team and Sustainability Office offer computer repair, donation and recycling options yearly.
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Within the tender process, a public process, the cleaning service contract and cafeteria service provider have specific sustainability specifications they must bid on and apply if successful.
1. Landscape plan - no herbicides or pesticides are used on campus grounds
2. Cleaning products - biodegradable and eco-products used and are part of contract specs.
3. All cooling gases are captured and replaced during cooling equipment repair
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
This is part of the By-law 10 and sustainable procurement guidelines while the work is internal. When outside contractors are used, provincial environmental guidelines stipulate the recycling of construction material - during the largest indoor construction project at Dawson, 81% of the waste was recycled.
All fluorescent lights before the LED retrofit were certified as recycled at a recycling facility.
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
Within the contract: Vegan and vegetarian options must be offered daily.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Although not published, the sports department and the Sustainability Office use Fair Labour guidelines to screen companies providing the bulk of jerseys, t-shirts and other clothing.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
This is also covered in By-Law 10 and the procurement guidelines. This by-law, which all Colleges are mandated to have, covers all services and goods.
Foundation Responsible investment committee with an investment policy that contains positive and negative screening for investments.
The recycling contract was given to a company that hires staff that need social integration.
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
This again, is evident in the tendering process. Sustainability criteria can be used to warrant the selection of a higher bid for sustainability reasons. Paper used at Dawson is Now FSC Mix.
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?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
Our tendering process for a carbon offsets contains criteria for working together on PR opportunities, help with student presentations and the ability to use data bases or technology developed by the organization to monitor forest growth and help so students and staff too can benefit from this information. We currently have that type of a partnership with Taking Root Inc.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Three companies that supply carbon offsets are chosen yearly and they bid on Dawson's offset criteria. Those that meet all of the criteria, including educational objectives, are chosen and evaluated for best service under Dawson's sustainability objectives.
Three companies that supply carbon offsets are chosen yearly and they bid on Dawson's offset criteria. Those that meet all of the criteria, including educational objectives, are chosen and evaluated for best service under Dawson's sustainability objectives.
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.