| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.37 |
| Liaison | Olivia Herron |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
Miami University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 3.00 |
Adam
Sizemore Director of Sustainability Physical Facilities Department |
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:
Purchasing Policy, as of 10/11/2021:
Related to sustainability sections below:
"Departments should follow the purchasing process to procure non-construction related goods and services using the appropriate method. Understanding and adherence to the above process help the University leverage leading procurement best practices to reduce the total costs of procured goods and services. The Office of Strategic Procurement is available to guide Departments through this process and answer any questions. Departments are also expected to understand and follow the following guidelines:
**Section 2 - "All procurement staff and any other individual participating in purchasing activities must adhere to the principles and standards of the Ohio Ethics Law and the Miami University policy covering Conflicts of Interest/Commitment."
**Section 11 - "Inter-University Council Procurement Group (IUC-PG): Miami University is committed to working with the IUC-PG to procure goods and services at the lowest potential total cost through the leveraging of statewide spend for these goods and services. Unless formally rejected by a resolution of the Miami University Board of Trustees, Miami University shall participate in all group procurement agreements and require the use of such agreements for all University purchases whenever practical."
**Section 12 - "Miami University supports the State of Ohio Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) Business Development Programs. The University has established goals for EDGE Certified Business Participation for University contracts that include goods, services, construction and professional design services. Similar goals are established for MBE. For further information on MBE/EDGE Programs, please refer to the Ohio Department of Administrative Services Equal Opportunity page".
**Section 13 - "Sustainability: The University is committed to procuring environmentally preferable products and services where criteria have been established by governmental or other widely recognized authorities (e.g. Energy Star, EPA Eco Purchasing Guidelines). In order to minimize negative environmental impacts, the University may integrate other environmental factors into its buying decisions where these factors have not been established by an external authority. Products that reduce toxicity; conserve natural resources, materials, and energy; and maximize recyclability and recycled content may be considered for purchase. Products considered for purchase are required to perform for their intended use and to be available at a reasonable price and at a reasonable period of time."
**Section 14 - "Accessibility: All web technology or software that Miami procures for use by students shall conform to the standards outlined in the Accessible Technology Policy. Web technology and software used by faculty, staff, and the general public should also be reviewed by the AccessMU Center to determine if further accessibility testing is required. If your department is considering a technology purchase or contract renewal, please submit the Accessible Technology Request Form."
https://miamioh.edu/fbs/strategic-procurement/purchasing/transacting/policy/index.html
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:
Capital construction projects for the state of Ohio public universities are guided by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which calls for life-cycle cost analyses as part of architecture and engineering (A/E) agreements.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Standard Operating Procedure #760 is called Campus Transportation and PFD Vehicle Usage. The purpose is to formalize a department policy outlining campus transportation options for work-related purposes, as well as usage of Physical Facilities' vehicles. The policy was updated in August of 2021 and states in part that "In 2020, President Crawford signed the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitment (PCLC), which committed Miami to achieve carbon neutrality and climate action. Thus, we must significantly reduce and eliminate our use of fossil fuel usage for transportation purposes on the Oxford campus. Walking should be the first choice for travel on Miami’s campus for business purposes. In lieu of walking, the Solar Powered Golf Cart (or electric vehicles, when they become available) should be used. Miami University also offers free bus service for all employees through BCRTA."
Beginning in 2015, Miami implemented a new fuel management system to better track fuel usage and to increase security. To reduce unauthorized fuel usage and purchases, a basic PIN system was replaced with two-factor authentication: swiping your university ID and tapping a key fob or fuel ring. Concurrent with these changes, individually assigned automobiles were pooled and the number of pooled vehicles significantly reduced. Fuel inefficient full-sized maintenance vans were replaced with small, more fuel-efficient vans. Department policies were implemented to reduce driving and encourage walking.
From 2019-2022, fuel usage declined from 41,776 gallons to 36,755 gallons. This represents a decrease of 5,021 gallons, or 12%. During the year of the pandemic when campus activity was lowest, we achieved our lowest annual fuel consumption of 35359 gallons. Prior to any improvements, we consumed 60,097 in fuel for 2015-2016.
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:
Contact Mark Taylor mataylor@MiamiOH.edu
Contact Mark Taylor mataylor@MiamiOH.edu
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.