Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 49.88
Liaison Karen Marin-Hines
Submission Date Feb. 29, 2024

STARS v2.2

Texas Tech University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 3.00 Karen Marin-Hines
Campus Sustainability Officer
Operations
"---" 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:
"Texas Tech has written policies positively supporting local social and economic impacts by requiring consideration of historically underutilized businesses.

1. Policy

a. The state of Texas is committed to providing procurement and contracting opportunities for businesses owned by minorities and women. It is the state's policy to create an environment that will enhance Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation in state procurements and contracts. Consequently, Texas Tech will make a good faith effort to increase the award of goods, services, and construction contracts to HUBs and HUB subcontractors in accordance with the Texas Comptroller's adopted rules.

b. Texas Tech will make a good faith effort to utilize HUBs in contracts and purchases awarded in accordance with the percentages adopted and posted on the websites by Texas Tech or the TTU System each fiscal year.

All Texas Tech and TTU System offices and departments shall identify and ensure that businesses owned by HUBs are given an equal opportunity to bid/propose/quote on commodities, services, and construction projects.

c. Definition

(1) HUB is defined by statute as a corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, or a supplier contract between a HUB and a prime contractor that has not exceeded size standards, with its principal place of business in the state of Texas, that is formed for the purpose of making a profit, in which at least 51 percent of all classes of the shares of stock or other equitable securities are owned by one or more persons who have been historically underutilized (economically disadvantaged) because of their identification as members of certain groups: Black American, Hispanic American, Asian Pacific American, Native American, American women, or service-disabled veterans. These individuals must have a proportionate interest and demonstrate active participation in the control, operation, and management of the business."

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
---

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
---

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:
"University Student Housing has a stated policy supporting Green Cleaning protocols. Green Cleaning
Our Green Cleaning protocol is intended to provide guidelines for cleaning standards and operational procedures to ensure our staff maintains health, safety, and housekeeping standards established for our Residence Halls.

Our goal is to reduce potential hazards for our students and staff. By introducing Green Cleaning we feel we can improve the air quality, remove contaminants, and provide a safe and healthy environment that will promote student success.Training
Training protocol of University Student Housing has been written for custodial staff and supervisors. The training policy makes certain that all staff are educated on the health issues and environment effects associated with our cleaning products and equipment used in the facilities. Our staff is also trained on how to apply procedures that follow the policy. The training program includes Bloodborne pathogen training, First Aid, Active Shooter, Hazcomm, and Sustainability Training. The staff and supervisors are trained on these procedures annually.

Upon hiring, the new employee will be trained on an APPA standard training packet. The staff is also trained on new procedures when any new product is introduced. The Unit Manager of Support Services is responsible for any updates on this training. Supervisors are responsible for training staff according to these standards.

Safe Handling and Storage
Custodians are required to wear personal protective equipment when using chemicals. Custodians are trained in how to use these chemicals and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are kept in each custodial supply closet as well as computer access to these sheets.

The custodians keep their chemicals and equipment in designated closets. Hazardous chemicals are kept in a yellow flammable container to prevent accidents. The chemicals are properly and clearly labeled for safety purposes.

Sustainability
We make every effort to make sure the products and equipment we use are sustainable. Most chemicals used in our department are Green Seal certified or EPA compliant.
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/housing/documents/supportServices/environmentalpolicy.pdf "

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
---

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
---

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
---

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
---

Garments and linens 

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:
---

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
---

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

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:
---

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.