Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.42
Liaison Dayna Cook
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Northern Arizona University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Ellen Vaughan
Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:

This is an over arching policy provided by our Purchasing and Contracting Department.
It includes general notes on all products and specifics on
computers, appliances and electronics toner cartridges, and cleaning and janitorial products.


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 as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:

NAU's Design Guidelines mandates that when planning and designing projects, it is required that we "Develop and compare alternatives:
During Design Development, the project team will test alternative systems using Life Cycle Cost Analysis . Proposed alternatives will be presented, recommended alternatives discussed, and selected alternatives documented in an energy model report included in the design development documents."

Under this guideline, new technologies, and materials are evaluated for their LCC and implemented for maintenance across campus .


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:

Our NAU General Sustainability Policy states:
Procure cleaning and janitorial products that are Green Seal™ or UL Environment (EcoLogo)™ certified and/or meet similar criteria for cleaning and janitorial products

Also,
The NAU campus Sustainability Action Plan provides a road map for achieving our sustainability goals. Under the Procurement section we outline specific goals relating to chemically intensive products. Here is the exact text:

"Objective 2: Reduce the impact of chemicals used in operations of campus buildings and grounds.
Action 1: Commit to use 100% Green Seal Certified, or other “Green” 3rd party certified paints, cleaning, and other chemical products. Responsible Party: Operations
Action 2: Continue test-plot research on non-toxic grounds maintenance methods until a successful method is discovered and herbicide and pesticide use on campus is eliminated. Responsible Party: Operations, Housing and Residence Life, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Action 3: Pursue landscape design and plant material selection to minimize or eliminate need for pest and weed control measures (e.g., native plant selection, semi-natural plant assemblages where appropriate in campus open areas, use of hardscape elements to reduce turf).
Responsible Party: Operations, Housing and Residence Life, Planning, Design and Construction"


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:

Policy: All new construction on the NAU campus is to LEED Gold standards.

The Northern Arizona University Design Guidelines document, along with the NAU Technical Standards, cover all NAU construction and renovation projects. They are intended to assist architects, engineers, other design professionals, contractors and university staff in understanding the preferences of University in the development, maintenance and repair of its facilities. The NAU Design Guidelines document section 8 is dedicated to campus sustainability. The NAU Campus Sustainability Design Guidelines have been created to assist in advancing sustainable design on all Northern Arizona University campuses. The guidelines are intended to be applied to new construction and major renovation projects. Design Professionals, Contractors, and third party Developers of NAU projects shall be required to incorporate the guidelines into their projects. The goal is to meet as many of the guideline objectives as possible. Deviations shall be identified by the project team for review and discussion with the University (NAU PM). Where applicable, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis may be required, to include environmental, economic and social costs and benefits.


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:

Below is text from NAU's General Sustainable Purchasing Policy, PUR 204-00-02:
Contracting and Purchasing Services will include a sustainable purchasing statement in its solicitation documents that reads, “Northern Arizona University is committed to buying products with recycled content or environmentally sustainable alternatives. Identify all environmentally sustainable features of the offered and supply all relevant specifications about the product. Include in the offer, information regarding your firm’s overall sustainable efforts.” In such appropriate cases, evaluation criteria will be included in the solicitation of the firms’ sustainable efforts.
The University preference is to utilize the following operational initiatives to support sustainable procurement:
1. All campus-standard computers purchased meet the ePEAT Gold, Silver or Bronz Standard and at least EnergyStar 4 standard.


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:

This list is the specific language we used in our most recent RFP for a dinning vendor.

11. SUSTAINABILITY

11.1. The University is sensitive to the environmental impact of waste created by its Campus Dining Program and thereby encourages the Offeror to participate in all University and City of Flagstaff, Arizona environmental initiatives to include, but not limited to composting and recycling of cardboard boxes, paper, glass, plastic, steel and grease.
11.2. Procure Arizona and local grown products whenever possible.
11.3. Procure organic or sustainably produced foods. When purchasing beef, poultry, and pork, emphasis to be placed on purchasing animals not given antibiotics, hormones, or other drugs. Procurement of free-range, organic, and/or grass-fed animals is encouraged.
11.4. Provide at minimum one (1) retail dining location featuring certified fair-trade or Rain-forest Alliance Certified coffee.
11.5. Offeror is encouraged to make recommendations for expanding and enhancing current campus sustainability initiatives.
11.6. Coordinate education targeting students, faculty, staff, and visitors promoting awareness and understanding of sustainable food systems to include information regarding new and continued sustainable practices within the Campus Dining Program.
11.7. Comply with any appropriate sections of the Campus Sustainability Action Plan.
11.8. Provide annual reports documenting the percentage of total cost of sales that is local (by food category), and the percentage of total cost of sales that is organic or sustainably produced by food category.
11.9. Reduce the environmental impact, where and when feasible, created by disposable take out/to go food and beverage containers by using biodegradable containers and utensils whenever possible.
11.10. Limit or prohibit the use of traditional plastic and styrofoam materials in the form of cups, plates, bowls, forks, spoons, knives, and other utensils whenever possible.
11.11. Maximize opportunities to reduce overall packaging required for food such as using paper wraps for sandwiches rather than traditional plastic containers.
11.12. Use paper napkins made with high levels of post-consumer recycled content.
11.13. Offer and market beverage discounts to anyone using a reusable mug.
11.14. Reduce beverage cup waste by sourcing with the University's Pouring Rights contractor's recyclable cups.
11.15. Reduce bottled water bottle waste on campus and at catered events whenever possible.
11.16. Participate in any pre- or post-consumer composting program(s) available on campus in order to minimize kitchen waste-stream volume.


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)?:
No

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

State mandated purchasing policy for new vehicles.

F. The director shall appoint a person in the office of the director who is the state motor vehicle fleet alternative fuel and clean burning fuel coordinator. The coordinator shall develop, implement, document, monitor and modify as necessary a statewide alternative fuels plan in consultation with all state agencies and departments that are subject to the alternative fuel and clean burning fuel requirements prescribed in this section or any other law. The approval of the coordinator is required for all acquisitions of vehicles pursuant to this section, except for acquisitions by community college districts.

G. Purchases of all new motor vehicles that primarily operate in counties with a population of more than two hundred fifty thousand persons and that have a gross vehicle weight of eight thousand five hundred pounds or less, including those agency motor vehicle fleets listed in subsection E of this section, shall meet the following minimum requirements for vehicles:

1. For model year 1997, ten per cent of new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on alternative fuels.

2. For model year 1998, fifteen per cent of new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on alternative fuels.

3. For model year 1999, twenty-five per cent of new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on alternative fuels.

4. For model year 2000, fifty per cent of new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on alternative fuels.

5. For model year 2001 and all subsequent model years, seventy-five per cent of new motor vehicles purchased shall be capable of operating on alternative fuels or clean burning fuels.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

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

Although not acceptable for this credit, below is text from NAU's General Sustainable Purchasing Policy, PUR 204-00-02: Contain a high recycled content, especially post-consumer recycled content


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

All appliances and electronics procured are EnergyStar rated.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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