| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.56 |
| Liaison | Casey Romero |
| Submission Date | Aug. 25, 2021 |
Oklahoma State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 3.00 |
Kristeena
Blaser Sustainability Coordinator Energy Services |
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
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:
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).
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
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:
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:
Data Sources:
Scott Schlotthauer, Chief Procurement Office, OSU and A&M System
Data Sources:
Scott Schlotthauer, Chief Procurement Office, OSU and A&M System
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.