Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.92
Liaison Katie Beitz
Submission Date May 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oklahoma State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 3.00 Ilda Hershey
Sustainability Coordinator
OSU Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
No

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

The policies, guidelines or directives:
OSU welcomes registrations and bids from small businesses. Although there are no preferences in OK law, the OSU Purchasing Dept. exercises all reasonable means to be inclusive of small and minority businesses. OSU has established a Small Business Program administered by Department as an effort to support disadvantaged businesses.

Part 2: Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

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:
Oklahoma State University employs Life Cycle Costs Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems across some, but not all, divisions of the Stillwater campus. OSU’s Long Range Facilities Planning division, which plans large construction projects, applies LCCA on all new construction. For example, the construction RFP for the new $83.8M Central Plant included total cost of ownership (TCO) as part of the award process. Whether initiatives are employed or not is examined on a building-by-building basis. For instance, the LCCA for the use of geothermal heat-pump energy in the new Veterinary Medicine building will result in geothermal being installed, while the LCCA for the new residential hall called “The Commons” revealed that geothermal would not be practical for that building’s location. In another example, the Utilities and Energy Management division utilizes Energy Savings Performance Contracts, which employ TCO for all purchases and services supporting the campus energy savings program, steam traps and insulation blankets, chilled water plant upgrades, and ventilation. For OSU’s Operations & Maintenance division, when appliances, equipment and systems are replaced, Energy Star units are used as a matter of practice. OSU is an EPA Energy Star Partner. Furthermore, all building retrofits reflect the installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings such as low-flow flush valves, sink and shower aerators given the lower TCO of these products. These practices also apply to the Residential Life Facilities Management division. Although purchasing on campus is decentralized, OSU also utilizes statewide purchase contracts approved by the State of Oklahoma, for which TCO was a factor in the state award process.

Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically Intensive Products and Services

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:
OSU has published sustainability criteria that apply when evaluating chemically intensive products and services concerning landscaping and grounds maintenance in its Campus Landscape Master Plan (linked below), as well as adherence to Tree Campus USA criteria and an Integrated Pest Management Plan. OSU's contracted custodial service, GCA Services, exclusively purchases cleaning and sanitizing products that are Green Seal, LEED, or UL ECOLOGO certified. These published policies or guidelines are found in the: 1) OSU Campus Landscape Master Plan, 2) OSU Integrated Pest Management Plan, 3) GCA Services webpage: http://www.gcaservices.com/services/green-cleaning-gca-custom-green

Construction and Renovation 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
No

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

Information Technology (IT) 

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)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
The Board of Regents policy states that when established purchasing contracts exist, purchases must be made from these contracts. Dell Inc. is one of only two preferred suppliers under OSU contract. As such Dell is a preferred supplier for the purchase of computers and/or other electronics. Dell's business desktops and notebooks have been EPEAT Gold capable for over 5 years.

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
University Dining Services utilizes a Student Advisory Group to make recommendations. This student group has made locally-sourced food purchases a priority (per Advisory Group meeting minutes). UDS has responded by locally sourcing nearly 45% of all food purchases.

Garments and Linens 

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:
The OSU Alumni Center has a contract with United Linens in Bartlesville, which is Clean Green TRSA certified. OSU University Dining Services is contracted with Superior Linens, which is also Clean Green TRSA certified. United Linens (Clean Green TRSA Certified) https://www.trsa.org/certification/clean-green

Professional Services 

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:
---

Transportation and Fuels 

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:
---

Wood and Paper 

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:
OSU has a stated preference for third-party certified content, such as Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. This preference is stated on a flyer (uploaded under "Optional Fields" below), which is posted to OSU's purchasing software OK Corral (on the landing page) and was emailed to 400 paper purchasers across campus as well as 80 Sustainability Stakeholders who influence purchasing agents. Within the OK Corral interface, regular copy paper is no longer available for purchase and staff are directed to purchase the FSC paper. Published criteria is stated in the OK Corral Staples Punchout interface: Replacement item is manufactured with an environmentally friendly FSC Certification (replaces regular copy paper).

Other Commodity Categories 

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:
---

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Landscape Master Plan: https://fm.okstate.edu/sites/default/files/u41/Campus_Landscape_Master_Plan_2012.pdf

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.