Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.79
Liaison Yumiko Jakobcic
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Grand Valley State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Yumiko Jakobcic
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability Practices
"---" 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 commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

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

Supplier Diversity Outreach
Striving to maintain a diverse resource of qualified vendors in our procurement process is fundamental. Therefore, we value the partnerships already established and welcome the opportunity to develop new successful business relationships. To assist in achieving the goals of our Supplier Diversity Program, GVSU is affiliated with the following organizations:

APACC (Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce)
CEED (Center for Empowerment & Economic Development)
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
MMSDC (Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council)
WMPPA (West Michigan Public Purchasing Alliance)
SBTDC (Small Business and Technology Development Center)
WBEC-Great Lakes (Women's Business Enterprise Council)
E&I (Educational and Institutional) Cooperative Services

University projects address environmental standards whenever possible. For example, guidelines for furniture include regionally sourced/manufactured materials, documentation that wood materials come from sustainably managed forests, and sustainable practices used within overall manufacturing/office practices as part of its evaluation criteria. It also includes other sustainability-related requests, such as using blanket-wrapped delivery instead of cardboard/packaging.

University projects are also required to be bid in under the Prevailing Wage Law, Act 166 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1965.


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:

GVSU's energy and water manager includes all costs when evaluating the best options.


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

All new construction and renovations must meet LEED silver criteria at a minimum. Please see the bottom of page 2 and top of page 3: https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/83D77566-0FCE-1482-0E85CB93ACE30B91/capital_outlay_request_2016.pdf


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)?:
Yes

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

The IT Technology Supply Office in the Information Technology department handles procurement of all computer equipment with University funds. Our staff works to ensure that equipment purchased is compliant with the latest policies, guidelines, and security features to meet the technology goals of the University.

University guidelines are that all computer equipment is EPEAT certified. EPEAT is the leading global ecolabel for the IT sector. The EPEAT program provides independent verification of manufacturers’ claims and the EPEAT online Registry lists sustainable products from a broader range of manufacturers than any comparable ecolabel. GVSU utilizes EPEAT as part of its sustainable procurement decisions.

In addition, we strive for printers with FSC or SFI certification, aqueous coating instead of petroleum-based varnish, and vegetable-based inks.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

Franchisee Guidelines: All sub-contracted foodservice providers of Campus Dining must, at a minimum, comply with Campus Dining’s guidelines with respect to composting food waste and providing compostable or otherwise recyclable service ware. Also, in an effort to reduce the need for materials management operations in Campus Dining cost centers, additional consideration for procurement and contracts shall be given to vendors who offer materials reduction programs (i.e. take-back options or reusable pallets) that enable Campus Dining to make progress toward meeting its zero waste goals.


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:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:

The RFPs discuss LEED certification and administration:
With sustainability in the building industry being at a high priority for the University, it is important to the University to LEED certify this building. The design firm will be required to LEED certify under LEED 4.0 for New Construction with an option of using LEED 4.1 for New Construction if it is adopted in time for this project.


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)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:

Paperless processes are preferred, but when that is not possible, the following attributes are prioritized when specifying paper for printed communications:
Domestically manufactured
Paper that is manufactured with paper fibers from certified sustainable forests (Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
Emissions-free renewable energy used in the manufacturing of the paper or carbon neutral paper
Elemental chlorine-free (ECF)
Alternative fiber paper
Carbon neutral paper
Paper from mills that have received third party certifications such as Green-e, Green Seal


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?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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