Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.08
Liaison Aaron Klemm
Submission Date March 6, 2020

STARS v2.2

San Jose State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Sara Bonakdar
Associate Director, Contracts and Purchasing Services
Contracts and Purchasing
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
The applicable section in the CSU Sustainability Policy:

Sustainable Procurement
1. Campuses will promote use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, re-purpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices. (14-New)
2. To move to zero waste, campus practices should: (1) encourage use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; (2) participate in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increase recycled content purchases in all Buy-Recycled program product categories. (14-New)
3. Campuses shall continue to report on all recycled content product categories, consistent with PCC § 12153-12217 and shall implement

We adhere to the following policies and guidelines:
-CSU Buy Recycled Handbook: http://www.calstate.edu/csp/special-programs/
-CSU Sustainability Policy:
http://www.calstate.edu/cpdc/sustainability/policies-reports/
-CSU Buy Recycled Products Campaign:
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7865355/latest/#autoid-8qwgz
-Executive Order 987: Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the California State University http://www.calstate.edu/eo/eo-987.html

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 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:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components. This is a CSU Policy through the State University Administrative Manual. https://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-987.html Section 17 in the above link speaks directly to LCCA. "When replacing energy consuming and/or utilities infrastructure equipment, the most cost-effective models will be selected. Life cycle costing procedures, instead of first capital cost only, will be utilized as the basis for all future equipment selection. All possible efforts will be made to secure additional funding if required to effect lowest life-cycle procurement.

Energy Reduction: Per the CSU systemwide policy “Energy Conservation and Utilities Management and Energy Consumption Reduction Goal for 2004/2005 Compared to 1999/2000”

"When replacing energy consuming and/or utilities infrastructure equipment, the most cost-effective models will be selected. Life cycle costing procedures, instead of first capital cost only, will be utilized as the basis for all future equipment selection. All possible efforts will be made to secure additional funding if required to effect lowest life-cycle procurement”.

This is a CSU Policy through the State University Administrative Manual.
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7056253/latest/

Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or 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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
From the SJSU Environmental Purchasing Policy (http://www.sjsu.edu/finance/docs/epp_guide.pdf):


Custodial Products: Soap and cleaning products
No parabens and phthalates
Low to no VOC
Certified:
• Green Seal
• Ecologo

Paint: Water-based paint, graffiti abatement, interior and exterior, and maintenance.
50% Postconsumer
Low to no VOC (Clean Air Paints)
Green Seal certified

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
The Chancellor’s Office recently launched a “Sustainable Auto-Sub” program with Staples Business Advantage, one of the CSU’s major vendors. This program will
automatically substitute commonly purchased products with more sustainable alternatives that have been identified, eliminating the need for each purchaser to individually evaluate products against sustainability criteria. This program is expected to substantially improve the CSU’s performance in sustainable procurement.

https://blogs.sjsu.edu/financeconnect/2017/10/30/staples-advantage-auto-substitution-program/

Sustainable Procurement
1. Campuses will promote use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, repurpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices.

2. To move to zero waste, campus practices should: (1) encourage use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; (2) participate in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increase recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled program product categories.

3. Campuses shall continue to report on all recycled content product categories, consistent with PCC § 12153-12217 and shall implement improved tracking and reporting procedures for their recycled content purchases.

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6987526/latest/#autoid-jmpvj

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7865355/latest/#autoid-5xya5

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Review available items at SJSU Furniture/Equipment Reuse Program:
Contains one or more features:
• Refurbished
• Remanufactured
• New with recycled content
• Recycled
Certified:
• Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC)
• Green Seal

The CSU Sustainability Policy has a section on Sustainable Building Practices.

Capital planning for state and nonstate facilities and infrastructure shall consider features of a sustainable and durable design to achieve a low life cycle cost. Principles and best practices established by leading industry standards or professional organizations shall be implemented to the greatest extent possible. The CSU is supportive of campuses pursuing third-party accreditation for campus facilities, however the current Department of Finance (DOF) policy does not permit the use of state capital funds for such administrative costs. Therefore, campuses considering outside accreditation shall identify alternative means of funding for associated costs. (04-Adopt)
Sustainable design for capital projects is a process of balancing long-term institutional needs for academic and related programs with environmental concerns. In the context of designing to provide for university and academic needs, the following attributes will be considered "sustainable:" (04-Adopt)
-Siting and design considerations that optimize local geographic features to improve sustainability of the project, such as proximity to public transportation and maximizing use of vistas, microclimate, and prevailing winds;
-Durable systems and finishes with long life cycles that minimize maintenance and replacement;
-Optimization of layouts and designing spaces that can be reconfigured with the expectation that the facility will be renovated and re-used (versus demolished);
-Systems designed for optimization of energy, water, and other natural resources;
-Optimization of indoor environmental quality for occupants;
-Utilization of environmentally preferable products and processes, such as recycled-content materials and recyclable materials;
-Procedures that monitor, trend, and report operational performance as compared to the optimal design and operating parameters.
In order to implement the sustainable building goal in a cost effective manner, the process will: identify economic and environmental performance measures; determine cost savings; use extended life cycle costing; and adopt an integrated systems approach. Such an approach treats the entire building as one system and recognizes that individual building features, such as lighting, windows, heating and cooling systems, or control systems are not stand-alone systems.(04-Adopt)
The CSU encourages the use of materials and systems with reduced environmental impacts. The design team (architect/engineer) shall recommend building materials and methods with life cycles (manufacture, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement) of reduced environmental impacts. Considerations shall include energy efficiency, energy required in the manufacturing process, life cycle duration, and maintenance and replacement costs. (04-Adopt)
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6589455/latest/
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6987526/latest/#autoid-xe74y

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
The EPP states that IT equipment should be listed on EPEAT and/or Energy Star

The CSU will pursue sustainable practices in all areas of the university, including: business operations such as procurement; information technology; student services; food services; facilities operations; design and construction.

For the CSU Sustainability Policy, please visit: https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6987526/latest/#autoid-874kr

The CSU campuses may avail themselves of any opportunity to purchase used or remanufactured ITR equipment where a substantial savings and strategic sourcing in cost compared with other alternatives for acquisition of similar equipment justify the purchase.

For the CSU contracts and procurement policy, please visit: https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7865355/latest/#autoid-j88x9


Contractor shall certify in writing the minimum, if not exact, percentage of postconsumer material, as defined in Public Contract Code Section 12200, in products, materials, goods, or supplies offered or sold to CSU regardless whether the product meets the requirements of Section 12209. With respect to printer or duplication cartridges that comply with the requirements of Section 12156(e), the certification required by this subdivision shall specify that the cartridges so comply (PCC 12205).

For the CSU General Provisions for Information Technology Acquisitions, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/doing-business-with-the-csu/contract-services-and-procurement/Pages/vendor-resources.aspx#gp

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
The applicable section from the CSU Sustainability Policy was included in the 2018 SJSU food service providers and pouring rights solicitation and used as criteria to evaluate providers. The policy was included in the contract for the selected providers.

Sustainable Food Service
1. All campus food service organizations should track their sustainable food purchases. Such tracking and reporting will be grounded in the Real Food Challenge guidelines, or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Campuses shall strive to increase their sustainable food purchases to 20 percent of total food budget by 2020. (14-New)

2. Campuses and food service organizations shall collaborate to provide information and/or training on sustainable food service operations to staff and patrons. (14-New)

Garments and linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
All CSU contracts for the procurement or laundering of apparel, garments or corresponding accessories or the procurement of equipment, materials, or supplies, other than procurement related to a public works contract, shall require the contractor to certify that it has maintained a "sweat-free" workplace in compliance with Public Contracts Code Section 6108 and that they adhere to the Sweatfree Code of Conduct as set forth by the California Department of Industrial Relations.

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7865355/latest/#autoid-2yrak

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
SJSU supports Small Business Legislation that provides for small business preference where responsibility and quality are equal. The goal of the program is to reach out to the small business community and give responsive and responsible suppliers a fair and equal opportunity to compete for campus business. To achieve this goal, all registered small businesses are granted a 5% bid preference when certification is submitted with bids.

The State of California acknowledges the service and sacrifice of its disabled veterans, in part, through the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Participation Program. With the DVBE program, state agencies have a goal to award at least 3% of their annual contract dollars to certified DVBEs.

The applicable CSU Sustainability Policy section:
Sustainable Procurement
1. Campuses will promote use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, re-purpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices. (14-New)

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
The applicable section from the CSU Sustainability Policy:

The CSU requires that all Staples Business Advantage orders meet a $50 minimum, which minimizes shipping, transportation, and associated fuels and emissions from smaller orders.

CSU Sustainability Policy states: The CSU will encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation and/or alternative fuels to reduce GHG emissions related to university associated transportation, including commuter and business travel. (14-New)

It is the policy of the CSU to meet the transportation needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors at its campuses with safe, equitable, and cost-effective options. CSU will use the lowest life cycle cost evaluation and greatest number of students, faculty, staff and visitors per vehicle mile traveled (VMT) served to determine its investment of scarce funding into transportation infrastructure that increases mobility and access for all.
The CSU shall use transportation options that have the lowest total cost of ownership, lowest carbon emissions and best fit for regional transportation needs to mitigate congestion and pollution while maintaining access to campus.
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/7728108/latest/

Optional Fields 

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:
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/doing-business-with-the-csu/capital-planning-design-construction/Documents/JointMeeting-CPBG-ED.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.