Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 56.09
Liaison Ciara Tennis
Submission Date Nov. 10, 2021

STARS v2.2

Eastern Connecticut State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00
"---" 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:
The policies, guidelines or directives:

SET-ASIDE CONTRACTS (§§ 58 & 59)
The state set-aside program requires state agencies and political subdivisions
(other than municipalities, under prior law) to set aside 25% of the total value of all contracts they let for construction, goods, and services each year for exclusive bidding by certified small contractors. The agencies must further reserve 25% of the set-aside value (6.25% of the total) for exclusive bidding by certified minority business enterprises (MBE). The act requires contractors awarded “municipal public works contracts” to comply with these requirements if the (1) contract includes state financial assistance and (2) total contract value exceeds $50,000. The set aside amount is based on the value of the state’s financial assistance for the contract (i.e., at least 25% of the amount of state assistance must be set aside for small contractors, and at least 6.25% must be reserved for MBEs, respectively). More can be found at https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_058.htm#sec_4a-60g


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:

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) has been used for HVAC and shower upgrades, renovations, and new construction, specifically to assess the payback period on them and preferring shorter periods. Eastern conducts LCCA in partnership with Eversource through their retrocommissioning program. LCCA is also used to evaluate major projects costs versus payback periods.
DAS does LCCA on building projects (energy and water) (see "01900_LifeCycleActivities": https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=004354853108091474482:sp6telu2lxi&q=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Construction-Services/DAS-CS-Library/5000-Series/5300---DB/019000_LifeCycleActivities_DB.docx&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiL-oOXyOH0AhWWrHIEHVQvACAQFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2FLUIlANDMknG4xn-aYovF)


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:

Required Documentation to Verify Compliance with Specifications and Standards: Cleaning Chemicals
If a product is Green Seal or EcoLogo certified and is listed on their website(s) as such, no proof of certification needs to be submitted.
If a product is Green Seal or EcoLogo certified and is not listed on their website(s) as such, Bidders are required to submit a copy of the product's certificate.
All certificates (if any) and manufacturer letters for Subcategories A-F, must be scarmed and submitted as one PDF document (named
If a product is CFP A certified, a copy of the certificate must be submitted.
See p. 6 of the "Green Cleaning Procedures 1" document attached for more information on Eastern's sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

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

All of the paper we procure is between 30-35% recycled. Any greater recycle content jams in the machines.

The paper is purchased through a State contract that is used by all Agencies and has been competitively bid in the open market.


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

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

New buildings and additions are required to comply with the High Performance Building Standards of the State of Connecticut. This relates approximately to a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver Certified minimum rating or equivalent. The new Fine Arts Instructional Center will be LEED Silver. The Planning Team encourages Eastern to strive for this highest level of sustainability in building design and energy use feasible within the project budget, including potentially Net Zero Energy. This approach is in keeping with Eastern’s leadership advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

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

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:

The University has policies contained in the RFP (Request for Proposal) that is publicly posted when we go out to bid every 10 years to obtain a food service provider. The RFP contains the language that “ Eastern Connecticut State University is a Green Campus and as such requires it’s food service provider to comply with the green standards of the university and to list their green initiatives that will be adhered to while in contract with the university.

Please note that the best that can be provide is a blurb from the Compass Group/ Chartwells response to my RFP that is allowable under the Confidential & Proprietary restriction where they address sustainability on p.67 of supplement 2.

Information provided by Theresa O'Brien, Director of Fiscal Affairs for Acquisitions & Auxiliary Services.

Around 2017, current our food service provider, Chartwells, submitted their proposal to continue serving us. In their proposal, Chartwells demonstrated their commitment to sustainability, (thus complying with our RFP's green requirements) citing their recent sustainability achievements with Eastern--such as going trayless in the dining halls and starting a food recovery program to donate leftover food to the local soup kitchen, and citing their continual sustainability initiatives--such as purchasing sustainably-sourced seafood and fair-trade coffee.


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:
---

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:

25% of the total value of all contracts they let for construction, goods, and services each year for exclusive bidding by certified small contractors. The agencies must further reserve 25% of the set-aside value (6.25% of the total) for exclusive bidding by certified minority business enterprises (MBE). The act requires contractors awarded “municipal public works contracts” to comply with these requirements if the (1) contract includes state financial assistance and (2) total contract value exceeds $50,000. The setaside
amount is based on the value of the state’s financial assistance for the contract (i.e., at least 25% of the amount of state assistance must be set aside for small contractors, and at least 6.25% must be reserved for MBEs, respectively).


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

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

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information on paper purchasing provided by Terry O'Brien, Director of Fiscal Affairs for Acquisitions & Card Services.


Information on paper purchasing provided by Terry O'Brien, Director of Fiscal Affairs for Acquisitions & Card Services.

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.