| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.15 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Jan. 8, 2021 |
George Mason University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Amber
Saxton Sustainability Program Manager Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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:
Mason incorporates Environmental Standards into its Design Information Manual (2013; https://facilities.gmu.edu/resources/design-standards-manual/). That document provides guidance on Mason's environmental goals, priorities, and minimum requirements for teams building or renovating on Mason's campuses. Within Chapters 1 and 3 of that document, multiple references to LCCA occur; it is evident that the university requires Design Teams to propose practices, technologies, and designs that are based on life cycle cost analysis and support efforts to mitigate Mason’s current and future impact on the natural environment.
A subset of policy language that requires LCCA includes:
Design Information Manual - Chapter 1, Section 1.3 Organization of the Design Manual
The majority of greenhouse gas emissions on Mason’s campuses are produced by its buildings. As the university’s buildings are constructed for a minimum fifty year lifespan, it is important that they are constructed for endurance and designed to be as efficient as possible. Mason expects its Design Teams to integrate passive and active resource reduction strategies into the building design for optimal operations. In addition, the Design Team shall provide life cycle costs analysis in accordance with Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) standards when communicating various design and build options.
Chapter 1, Section 1.5 Sustainability Standards:
*It is Mason's expectation that its Design Teams will propose practices, technologies, and designs that are based on life cycle analysis and support efforts to mitigate Mason’s current and future impact on the natural environment...
Chapter 1, Section 1.6 Principles of Maintenance and Operations
*Projects at Mason must be cost effective, not only in terms of their first cost, but also the ongoing energy, maintenance, operations, and staffing costs (to name a few). Therefore, the university views full life cycle cost analysis as the best way to ensure the value and longevity of its investments.
Chapter 1, Section 1.7 Principles of Design for Our Campuses
*Projects at Mason must be cost effective, not only in terms of their first cost, but also the ongoing energy, maintenance, operations, and staffing costs (to name a few). Therefore, the university views full life cycle cost analysis as the best way to ensure the value and longevity of its investments.
*In the design of any project, it is critical that all systems and devices are made accessible for the full life cycle of that piece of equipment, inclusive of major overhauls, replacement of major components, and segmented full equipment recap.
Chapter 3, Design Standards, 3.3.1 HVAC Systems
3.3.1.3.3 Quantitative Analysis
• The life cycle costs for each HVAC system option shall be determined and used as the basis of
quantitative comparison. Life cycle costs shall include the following system costs:
o First Cost
o Annual Energy Cost
o Annual Maintenance Cost
o Life Cycle Replacement Costs
• All life cycle costs shall be performed in accordance with NIST handbook 135 - “Life Cycle Costing
Manual for Energy Management Program.” (https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/hb/2020/NIST.HB.135-2020.pdf)
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Mason employs a green purchasing guideline which specifies cleaning solvents shall be biodegradable, phosphate free and citrus based where their use will not compromise quality of service, such as Green Seal or Safer Choice certified products.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
As part of George Mason University's Green Purchasing Guidelines, 30% post-consumer recycled paper is the standard for all applications where quality of service or the health and safety of employees is not compromised.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
As part of our commitment to climate neutrality, George Mason University has made a commitment to build all new buildings and renovations to a minimum of U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or Virginia Energy Conservation and Environmental Standards (VEES).
In Mason's Design Information Manual (2013; https://facilities.gmu.edu/resources/design-standards-manual/), it also outlines criteria for sustainable purchasing in construction and renovation projects:
Chapter 3.4, Environmental Standards, 3.4.4.1.1.4 Site Furnishings and Materials
Goal: Use locally produced materials for paving, street furniture and site walls thereby supporting the local economy, local environmental oversight of production and reducing energy needs for transport. Mason favors materials that are recycled or produced or harvested in a sustainable manner.
Minimum Requirement: Utilize inert and low toxicity in site building materials and piping. Reuse construction and demolition debris such as masonry and paving materials as bedding for roads and paths.
For all purchases, Mason is required to follow Virginia law because Mason is a state agency. To that end, the University is constrained by state § 2.2-4314: Petition for procurement of less toxic goods and products; periodic review of procurement standards. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title2.2/chapter43/section2.2-4314/)
A. As used in this section: "Goods and products" means goods and products that are used or consumed by an agency of the Commonwealth in the performance of its statutory functions. The term shall include, but not be limited to (i) cleaning materials, (ii) paints and coatings, (iii) solvents, (iv) adhesives, (v) inks, and (vi) pesticides and herbicides. [...]
"Less toxic goods and products" means goods and products that (i) are functionally equivalent to and (ii) contain, emit, produce, or generate, less toxic or hazardous substances, or other toxic or hazardous substances that pose less of a hazard to public health and safety, or both, than goods and products procured by the Department of General Services or other agency of the Commonwealth.
[...]
C. The Department of General Services and all agencies of the Commonwealth shall review and revise their procurement procedures and specifications on a continuing basis to encourage the use of less toxic goods and products.
The Department of General Services and all agencies of the Commonwealth shall review and revise their procurement procedures and specifications on a continuing basis to encourage the use of goods and products with recycled content and shall, in developing new procedures and specifications, encourage the use of goods and products with recycled content.
1994, c. 946, § 11-41.02; 2001, c. 844.2.2-4314:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
As stated in Mason's Green Purchasing Guidelines, purchasers will purchase or lease energy efficient products, such as Energy STAR, EPEAT, or Federal Energy Management Program certified products.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
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:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
George Mason University (Mason) is a state institution of higher education within Virginia. As such, Mason follows and implements executive orders enacted by the Governor of Virginia. Executive Order 20 (2014): Advancing Equity for Small, Women, and Minority Owned Businesses that addresses strategies to advance race- and gender- neutral businesses. Where it is practicable for any portion of the awarded contract to be subcontracted to other suppliers, the contractor is encouraged to offer such subcontracting opportunities to small businesses.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
George Mason University's has a vehicle use policy which covers all the golf carts utilized on campus. The Procedure for Motorized Utility Vehicles (MUVs) requires only electric-powered MUVs should be purchased, unless prior authorization is granted due to specific needs. The policy can be found at: http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Policy-1131-MUV-Procedures1.pdf
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:
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.