Massachusetts Institute of Technology
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

MIT has equal opportunity and affirmative action programs designed to give small businesses and small-business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (minority, women, or disabled businesses) full access and opportunity to participate in MIT’s procurement activities. MIT seeks to develop broader guidelines spanning commodity categories that promotes material-related impacts via purchasing.

MIT employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating system-wide capital investments that have an energy impact. In order to do so, MIT uses an internally developed life cycle cost analysis tool to support decision-making, particularly in areas of energy and GHG emissions.

The MIT Department of Facilities has published sustainability criteria relating to the purchasing and use of chemically intensive cleaning chemicals, equipment, and pest control services. These criteria include promoting the purchasing of Ecologo and GreenSeal cleaning products and the implementation of a low-impact integrated pest management plan. The pest management plan outlines practices to use the least toxic chemical pesticides available, minimize the amount of chemicals used, and treat areas that target exposure to unintended species. MIT Green Cleaning Program guide is found here: https://sustainability.mit.edu/resource/mit-green-cleaning-program-2014

Sustainable Design Standards: MIT has developed and uses the MIT Sustainable Design Standards (http://web.mit.edu/facilities/environmental/index.html ). These standards are based on LEED V4 and require a minimum of Gold Certification for all new construction and major renovation projects. At a minimum, projects are required to pursue Materials and Resources credits for Building Product Disclosure and Optimization for each of the following: - EPDS (Option 1, Explore Option 2), - Sourcing or Raw Materials (Explore options 1 and 2), and - Material Ingredients (Option 1, Explore Option 2). Furnishings: In addition, the MIT Working Green Program offers some guidance to help administrative staff make more sustainable purchasing decisions of furniture. http://web.mit.edu/workinggreen/buy/atmit.html

MIT's Working Green Program guides support and administrative staff with criteria and processes for driving more sustainable behaviors. The program has nearly 100 ambassadors across the campus who contribute to the greening of MIT's departments, labs and centers (DLCs). MIT Working Green provides a web based criteria and considerations for purchasing IT products and supplies including EPEAT. http://web.mit.edu/workinggreen/buy/atmit.html

MIT has established a list of preferred campus caterers. Selection as a preferred caterer depends on a caterer meeting sustainable practices criteria including use of reusable flatware, serving dishes, plates, tablecloths and composting services. MIT's procurement of campus-based concessions includes sustainability criteria as part of the request for proposal process. https://adminconnect.mit.edu/news/mit’s-new-preferred-caterers-offer-discounts-all-orders

Yes, MIT has recently issued a consultant qualification process for professional services that seeks information about each firm's sustainability and environmental programs related to internal sustainability goals, supply chain considerations, and sustainability governance. https://campusplanning.mit.edu/RFQs

No, MIT does not have published sustainability criteria relating to transportation and fuels outside of equal opportunity and affirmative action programs.

For wood, MIT has developed and uses the MIT Sustainable Design Standards. These standards are based on LEED V4 and require a minimum of Gold Certification for all new construction and major renovation projects. At a minimum, projects are required to pursue Materials and Resources credits for Building Product Disclosure and Optimization for each of the following: - EPDS (Option 1, Explore Option 2), - Sourcing or Raw Materials (Explore options 1 and 2), and - Material Ingredients (Option 1, Explore Option 2). http://web.mit.edu/facilities/environmental/index.html For paper, MIT's internal copy and print vendor, CopyTech, applies sustainability criteria to its purchasing of paper products by purchasing FSC Certified 30% recycled paper for all of the copiers and printers it operates throughout the MIT campus. https://copytech.mit.edu/about-us

Office Supplies: The MIT Working Green Program publishes sustainability purchasing criteria on office supplies. The criteria listed below are available online at http://web.mit.edu/workinggreen/buy/atmit.html. "Think outside the box when ordering green office supplies! MIT does have an extensive selection through Office Depot, but if you don’t see what you’re interested in, try the EcoEasy product selection from Staples, W.B. Mason’s Green Products Selection, or the Office Max line of green products. MIT's eCAT system offers volume discount purchasing through Office Depot! Shop the Office Depot Green Book online (link is on the left navigation bar of MIT's Office Depot site) or go to SAPweb. Recommended products include: - Office Depot® Brand Envirocopy™ Recycled Copy Paper, item # 940650 - Pendaflex® Earthwise® 100% Recycled Hanging File Folders, Office Depot SKU: 938555 - 3M Post-it® Recycled Paper Notes, 3" x 3", Assorted Pastel Colors, Office Depot SKU: 404079 - Use the "Find Printer Supplies" tab on the left navigation bar. Find and select the remanufactured toner cartridge that fits your printer. - Seventh Generation non-toxic household/office cleaning products. Working Green encouraged Office Depot to green the cleaning supplies selection. You can order directly from Office Depot's ECAT site."

Data sources are primarily limited to documents and statements published on MIT websites. Initiatives underway but not yet published have been noted where applicable.