Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.78
Liaison Lisa Mitten
Submission Date March 8, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

State University of New York at New Paltz
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Lisa Mitten
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Campus Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

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

The policies, guidelines or directives:

- The SUNY-wide Green Purchasing Policy.
On April 28, 2008, New York Gov. Paterson signed an Executive Order establishing a New York State "Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program," to promote policies within state agencies and authorities that reduce the consumption of materials and energy and reduce potential impacts on public health and the environment. As a result, SUNY is required, where applicable, to purchase environmentally-friendly commodities, services and technology and develop sustainability and stewardship programs. See: http://system.suny.edu/procurement/green-purchasing/

- The SUNY-wide Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program of the State University of New York strives to assure that MWBE firms around New York State are given equal opportunities to have business with all SUNY campuses in various fields including construction, construction consultants, commodities and consultant/services. See: https://www.suny.edu/meansbusiness/mwbe/


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:

LCCA Policies:

Executive Order 88 Guidelines stipulate that life cycle cost analysis is one of the primary assessment tools used to evaluate whether a particular energy conservation measure or an energy-related capital project should be implemented. When deciding between multiple project alternatives, the alternative with the overall lowest life cycle cost should be the one selected. The following language is included in the Executive Order 88 Guidelines:

EO88 Guidelines Page 12:
Although typically not required for ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits, “cost-effective” measures will be determined using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”). A portfolio may include, but shall not be limited to, no-cost and low-cost operational improvements, retro-commissioning, capital energy efficiency retrofits, on-site renewable and high-efficiency combined heat and power, and other measures identified by the CMIT.

1. How are "required capital projects" defined? (EO88 Guidelines Page 14)

Any energy efficiency measure, or combination of energy efficiency measures, which result from an energy audit, and are deemed “cost-effective” shall be considered a required capital project. State Entities shall complete, or make substantial progress toward completion, any cost-effective measures identified during an energy audit or similar study within two years of the study’s completion. Cost-effectiveness shall be determined by a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”). Specific parameters for the LCCA account for:
• Initial Costs—Purchase, Acquisition, Construction Costs
• Fuel Costs
• Documented Operation, Maintenance, and Repair Costs
• Replacement Costs
• Residual Values—Resale or Salvage Values or Disposal Costs
• Finance Charges—Loan Interest Payments

Appendix D - Determining Project Cost-Effectiveness (EO88 Guidelines Page 32)
Executive Order 88 explicitly requires that buildings with low benchmark scores must undergo an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit. State Entities must then implement a cost-effective portfolio of measures and complete or make substantial progress toward completion of such measures within two years of the audit.1 For the purposes of EO 88, a project shall be considered cost-effective if the calculated Savings-to-Investment Ratio (“SIR”) is greater than or equal to 1.20. Additionally, when evaluating multiple, mutually exclusive alternatives, the alternative with the lowest life-cycle cost (“LCC”) is considered the most cost-effective and should be selected for installation.

Life Cycle -Cost Analysis Overview (EO88 Guidelines Page 32)
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”) evaluates the costs and savings that occur from owning, operating, maintaining, replacing, and disposing of an efficiency measure over its lifetime. This method typically discounts costs and savings to reflect the time value of money. Because it accounts for all costs and savings over the full life-cycle of the measure, LCCA provides the most accurate assessment of a project’s long-term cost-effectiveness. Applying LCCA ensures that State Entities maximize savings opportunities and will ultimately help achieve the goals of EO 88.

LCCA Practices:

The Office of Campus Sustainability, Facilities Management, and other partners regularly incorporate life cycle cost analysis into day to day practice. Energy conservation measures in the forthcoming Energy Master Plan will include life cycle cost analysis. More and more, facilities staff are asking consultants to provide information about life cycle cost analysis of particular building features. LCC analysis was conducted to evaluate different alternates such as controls, OA reset and other energy saving features for the chiller replacement project for McKenna Theater. LCC analysis will be used when evaluating energy consuming products and technologies for the Engineering Innovation Hub, a new major construction project.


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:

New York State passed a green cleaning law in 2006 requiring public agencies including the SUNY System to use environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products. For information, visit: https://greencleaning.ny.gov/Policies.asp


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:

On August 26, 2009, Article 4-C of New York State's Public Buildings Law was passed mandating that the construction and substantial renovation of state buildings comply with “green” building standards. The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) is obligated to promulgate rules and regulations establishing the construction requirements and procedures necessary to implement Article 4-C. While the Act took effect immediately, the agency green building construction requirements took effect on August 26, 2010. http://www.ogs.ny.gov/EO/GBCA/Default.asp

The State University Construction Fund (SUCF) manages the majority of non-residential major construction and renovation projects on campus. SUCF Directive I1B issued in December 2013 includes the following LEED requirements:
a) Design and construct the project to comply with the criteria for a Silver rating per the USGBC LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system. At the request of the SUCF a higher rating of Gold or Platinum may be required.
b) Register the project with USGBC, and allow the SUCF and the Campus access.
c) Certification of the project by USGBC may be required and will be decided by the SUCF based on the request of the Campus.
http://www.sucf.suny.edu/pdf/dir/1B-7.pdf

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) manages all major renovation and new construction residence hall projects. DASNY promotes and supports sustainable design approaches and construction practices. Initial programming meetings for every project shall define specific sustainable goals which will be included in all discussions, including those determining budget and scheduling. In addition, as of January 1, 2008, all projects that are new construction, addition, or significant renovation shall include a goal of LEED Silver and shall be fully submitted to the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for a rating review. http://www.dasny.org/About/DASNYProfessionalExpertise/Sustainability/GreenPolicyforConstruction.aspx


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

SUNY as a whole has a purchasing policy that includes energy efficiency, emphasizing EnergyStar certified equipment. (see http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=428 )


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:
---

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:

SUNY New Paltz follows the SUNY System's anti-sweatshop policy and a corresponding anti-sweatshop procedure. This policy and procedure are enforced on an ongoing basis, especially with apparel and sports equipment purchases originating from Athletics and Recreation.

The SUNY Anti-Sweatshop Policy (policy #7559) found at and the anti-sweatshop procedure (procedure #7560), governs purchases of apparel, textiles, and sports equipment. In accordance with the procedure, anytime the College or its contractors purchase apparel or sports equipment, vendor is required to complete a Certification of Compliance with Fair Labor Conditions form, certifying that the manufacturing of the items is "done in compliance with all applicable labor and occupational safety laws including but not limited to child labor laws, wage and hour laws and workplace safety laws." http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=670 http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=672


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:
---

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:
---

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:

Wood Guidelines:

SUNY Standard contract clauses prohibit the purchase of tropical hardwoods. Typically, wood sourced in SUNY New Paltz construction projects is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. For more information, visit http://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=428

Paper Product Guidelines from Executive Order 4:

Commencing no later than July 1, 2008, all copy paper, janitorial paper and other paper supplies purchased by each State agency or authority shall be composed of 100% post-consumer recycled content to the maximum extent practicable, and all copy and janitorial paper shall be process chlorine-free to the extent practicable, unless such products do not meet required form, function or utility, or the cost of the product is not competitive.

Commencing no later than July 1, 2008, all State agency and authority publications shall be printed on 100% post-consumer recycled content paper. Where paper with 100% post-consumer recycled content is not available, or does not meet required form, function and utility, paper procurements shall use post-consumer recycled content to the extent practicable. Non-recycled content shall be derived from a sustainably-managed renewable resource to the extent practicable, unless the cost of the product is not competitive.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

Fair Labor Laws:

New York State Labor Law 220 requires that:
* "No laborer, worker or mechanic in the employ of a contractor or subcontractor engaged in the performance of any public work project shall be permitted to work more than eight hours in any day or more than five days in any week, except in cases of extraordinary emergency."
* Traditional construction trades and building services workers receive no less than the prevailing wage and benefits for a particular trade. Prevailing wage rates and schedule are adjusted annually and are based on the location where the work is performed.
* Contractors and subcontractors must keep original payroll records and submit payroll records to SUNY New Paltz as evidence of fair pay.
* All contractors must demonstrate evidence that contractors working onsite at SUNY New Paltz are covered by workers compensation and disability benefits.
For more information, visit: http://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/publicwork/PWGeneralProvisions.shtm http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Employers/ProveItToMoveIt.pdf


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:
---

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.