Pennsylvania State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The following language appears in Penn State's Supplier Purchasing Terms & Conditions (http://purchasing.psu.edu/purchasing-terms-conditions):
19. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - Fulfilling the mission of The Pennsylvania State University for those we serve requires the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and respect, and we encourage our suppliers to aspire to those same standards, particularly when on campus or engaging with members of the University community. The University has adopted the Global Sullivan Principles of Social Responsibility. We also encourage our suppliers to adopt and follow these principles.

Also, in its Information for Suppliers (https://purchasing.psu.edu/suppliers), Penn State states that "Minority, small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and environmentally responsible businesses are encouraged to participate."

Additionally, in its information for Suppliers about the quote/ proposal process (http://purchasing.psu.edu/quoteproposal-submission), Penn State describes "Environmental Alternatives: The University is committed to environmental stewardship, conserving natural resources and preserving the environment. We encourage suppliers to identify products, services, or processes that promote environmental stewardship. In addition to the requested bid, suppliers are encouraged to offer an additional bid for products, services, or processes that are more environmentally friendly. Such products or services should be bid as an alternate to the requested bid. Any exceptions or deviations from the original specifications must be clearly identified. The environmental benefits must be clearly identified with supporting data. Benefits may include: Reduced life cycle costs, reduced energy consumption, recycled content, recyclability, extended product life, and decreased maintenance."

Moreover, Penn State's Purchasing Team has been critical in supporting Penn State's Waste Stream Task Force. This work targets the waste hierarchy starting with reduction, reuse, and recycling. Final recommendations include developing a Sustainable Purchasing Policy and reflect best practices from the industry and benchmarks from other large higher-ed institutions.
A summary of the procurement recommendations can be found at https://wastestream.psu.edu/procurement/ and a draft of the policy is at https://wastestream.psu.edu/files/2020/02/AppendixII-Proposed_Sustainable_Purchasing_Policy.pdf.

Penn State's Design and Construction Standards Sustainable Design Requirements (https://sites.psu.edu/designandconstructionstandards/01-80-00/) state that “Decision-making throughout the project shall be on the basis of achieving the lowest total cost of ownership for the life cycle of the project”.
Design Professionals are required to design systems for optimal operating efficiency, reliability, and flexibility with the lowest life cycle cost. For HVAC systems, the Design Professional shall carefully evaluate and properly select the most effective equipment type and to best suit the needs of the application with emphasis on minimizing operating and life cycle cost, rather than minimizing size and first cost. An Economic / LCCA is required to be performed and documentation submitted to confirm selection of base systems and potential options for alternate bids. In addition, at a minimum, facilities at Penn State are required to achieve at least 30% energy savings over the latest version of the ASHREA 90.1 standard. Documentation of compliance is required and verified. See https://sites.psu.edu/designandconstructionstandards/23-00-00/ 1. General/C/iii and 3. High-Performance Energy-Efficiency/B. Equipment Selection

Moreover, Penn State's Office of Physical Plant has developed a Sustainability for the Built Environment working group dedicated to evaluating construction designs from a sustainability lens and life-cycle costs. This group has evaluated current best practices from sustainable construction standards (LEED, Living Building Challenge, and Passive House) and looks to implement and create standards based on those best practices.

Penn State's "Blue Cleaning Guidelines" (https://storage.googleapis.com/stars-static/secure/70/7/652/5915/Penn%20State%20Blue%20Cleaning%20Manual.pdf) manual specifies criteria for janitorial products, equipment, and supplies with the intent of "reduc(ing) the exposure of our personnel and building occupants to potentially hazardous products, equipment or procedures which could adversely affect human health and the environment, indoors and outdoors." Existing standards such as LEED-EB and Green Seal were consulted in developing the guidelines. Specific selection criteria (e.g., "prefer those that are readily biodegradable as compared to those that are slower to degrade") are given for a wide variety of products, along with the names of specific products that meet those criteria.

Penn State's General Stores, through which most consumable office products are purchased, has a stated commitment to environmental stewardship, conserving natural resources, and preserving the environment. Their website (https://generalstores.psu.edu/sustainable-products) gives instructions for searching for "sustainable products" and lists examples of products that fall into that category. Examples include recycled content paper, compostable serviceware, and energy-efficient lamps. A toner cartridge recycling program is also offered.

Penn State Policy AD34 (https://policies.psu.edu/policies/ad34), University Recycling Program, is currently under review. It has two goals that relate to procurement: (1) To encourage the development and adoption of specifications which eliminate barriers to and encourage the purchase of products that contain post-consumer recycled materials, and (2) To develop and implement a policy that will promote waste reduction at the University to include recycling, reuse, composting, and green purchasing. Penn State's Proposed Sustainable Purchasing Policy (https://wastestream.psu.edu/files/2020/02/AppendixII-Proposed_Sustainable_Purchasing_Policy.pdf) includes criteria and recommendations for purchasing consumable office products.

"Penn State's LEED Policy (https://storage.googleapis.com/stars-static/secure/70/8/760/7094/Penn_State_PSU_LEED_v4_Policy_2019_Update_v_1.0_2.pdf) provides guidance as to the relative emphasis given to specific LEED credits in construction and renovation projects. All new constructions or substantial renovations that exceed $10,000,000 are required to achieve one of the four levels of LEED certification. Whereas, any new construction or renovation within $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 are highly encouraged to achieve LEED certification.

Under Materials and Resources, MR Credit: Furniture and Medical Furnishings, the criteria require the use at least 30% (1 point) or 40% (2 points), by cost, of all freestanding furniture and medical furnishings (e.g., mattresses, foams, panel fabrics, cubicle curtains, window coverings, other textiles) that meet the criteria in one of the following three options: Minimal Chemical Content, Testing and Modeling of Chemical Content, and/or Multi-attribute Assessment of Products"

Penn State's Energy Conservation Policy AD64 (https://policies.psu.edu/policies/ad64) is also under review. It currently specifies that: "Computers purchased with University funds are required to be ENERGY STAR and EPEAT labeled unless suitable justifications are approved by the appropriate budget executive." and "Office equipment purchased with University funds is required to be ENERGY STAR labeled unless approved by the responsible budget executive."

Penn State's supplier diversity website (http://supplierdiversity.psu.edu/program-qualifications) states that "Penn State recognizes supplier and contractor diversity as an important component of its overall efforts and will continue to foster relationships with minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and HUBZone-certified businesses to ensure they have full opportunity to compete for the University's business." The details of the Contractor and Supplier diversity programs can be found here:

Penn State Policy BS 18 for the PROCUREMENT OR ACQUISITION OF LIGHT-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLES (https://policies.psu.edu/policies/bs18) references the Energy Policy Act requirements for state fleets. Penn State currently complies with the guidelines by maintaining or exceeding a fleet with 75% alternative fuel light duty vehicles.

Penn State Policy Policy BS 21 for the PROCUREMENT AND USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AT UNIVERSITY PARK (https://policies.psu.edu/policies/bs21) establishes procedures for proposal, review, and approval of new EV charging stations on campus.