| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.35 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bast |
| Submission Date | Aug. 9, 2022 |
North Carolina State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Jessica
Bast Sustainability Program Coordinator University Sustainability Office |
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:
NC State purchasing decisions are guided by total cost of ownership and total life cycle cost. Any purchase by NC State will improve the environmental performance of its supply chain with consideration given to toxicity, recycled content, energy and water efficiency, rapidly renewable resources, and local production and manufacturing. Capital investment decisions utilize life cycle costing.
The decision process for construction and remodeling also includes energy life cycle costing analyses.
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:
As stated in the university's Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures in the area of chemical cleaning products, NC State should:
-Use products that meet or exceed standards set forth by the United States
Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Seal and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Environmental Choice.
-Use products that contain no carcinogens, reproductive toxins, heavy
metals or phosphates; have low VOC content; are readily biodegradable
and nontoxic to human and aquatic life.
-The University Housekeeping Chemical Committee reviews all chemicals,
researches available alternatives and prevents unauthorized chemicals
from being introduced into the Green Cleaning Program.
-Use chemical dispensing stations that pre-measure chemicals and mix
with water intended for equipment to protect worker safety and reduce
water use.
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 stated in the university's Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures in the area of procurement of paper products, NC State should:
• Purchase paper and tissue products made from 50% post-consumer recycled content. In the absence of 50% post-consumer, purchase the highest post-consumer recycled content or highest pre-consumer recycled material content. Sustainability SOP/9
• Use photocopy practices that minimize paper use and reduce
• By January 1, 2015, 50% of paper products will comply with this regulation and will increase by 25% each year until 100% of all paper and tissue products comply.
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 stated in the university's Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures in the area of electronics, NC State should seek environmentally and socially responsible purchasing for products and services by selecting those that comply with the following current and credible environmental and social standards. For furniture, this includes Green Guard standards for indoor environments like paints and furniture.
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 the university's Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures in the area of electronics, NC State should:
-Purchase Energy Star, or better, electronic office equipment, including but
not limited to computers, monitors, printers, scanners, photocopy
machines, facsimile machines and other such equipment.
-Purchase Energy Star or better appliances and other energy consuming
equipment when available.
-Budget for Energy Star or better for equipment listed for requests for
proposals, specifications, and contracts for products or services.
-Purchase new computers that meet the Electronic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Silver or Gold Energy Efficiency standards.
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:
Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Program
The State of North Carolina encourages all state agencies to expend up to 4% of their total procurement dollars with HUB suppliers. This program is intended to stimulate the economic development of minority, women-owned, and physically disabled businesses.
The Purchasing Department places orders with HUB suppliers whenever appropriate. University departments are also encouraged to procure through HUB suppliers when utilizing the Small Purchases policy.
The HUB Business Directory is maintained by the Division of Purchase and Contract .These directories list HUB suppliers alphabetically, by commodity number, and by construction industry number.
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:
NC State will procure, maintain and operate a cost-effective vehicle fleet that reduces dependence on petroleum fuels through the use of alternative fuels,
conservation, electrified transportation and new technologies. As stated in the university's Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures in the area of transportation, NC State should also:
• Incorporate alternative fuel and technology evaluations when procuring
new Wolfline vendor contracts and substantial service hour or fleet
changes.
• Maintain a network of productive Wolfline transit routes and services within
the fiscal limits imposed by available dedicated, grant-related and parking
revenue subsidy resources.
• Monitor service demand, enhance reliability and increase Wolfline
patronage to streamline operations and increase ridership without
compromising customer service.
• Fund transportation demand management programs to offer convenient
mobility alternatives to driving single occupancy vehicles to campus, such
as public transit GoPass, bicycling, walking, carpools, etc.
• Integrate transportation sustainability considerations into campus master
planning and the design and implementation of major new capital
construction and mobility infrastructure projects.
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.