Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 59.69
Liaison Susan Dorward
Submission Date July 31, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Raritan Valley Community College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Susan Dorward
Sustainability and Energy Coordinator
Facilities and Grounds
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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:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
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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:

LCCA is performed prior to requesting approval from Finance to fund the expense. Energy and water savings and associated cost savings, as well as longevity of the product and maintenance costs, are figured into the ROI to justify the purchase.

We use LCCA in more areas, except for calculating NPV (net present value). We don't do that part on new academic offerings.


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:

The College uses Green Seal certified cleaning products when possible. This is stated in our RFPs and contracts for housekeeping supplies.


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:

The College is committed to building LEED Silver or better. This commitment is stated in our MOU with the EPA: "RVCC will build all future buildings to LEED Silver certification." https://www.raritanval.edu/sites/default/files/aa_PDF%20Files/8.x%20General%20Information/8.2.6_Environ-Sustain_mou_rvcc-usaepa.pdf.

Preferred building materials have recycled and non-VOC content.


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 College buys EPEAT Gold, Silver, and Bronze computer equipment but this is not a formalized policy.


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:
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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)?:
Yes

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

The College requires that architects be able to design buildings following LEED standards and assist with LEED certification.


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:
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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:

Under Executive Order #11 by Gov. John Corzine, "Each State agency shall print all publications and documents, including those publications and
documents printed under the supervision of the State agency, on recycled paper, unless the State agency cannot procure a sufficient quantity of competitive recycled paper." The College purchases 30% recycled paper.


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