Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.72
Liaison Greg Maginn
Submission Date Jan. 18, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

The Ohio State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Justin Perry
Purchasing Manager
Purchasing Administration
"---" 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:

Purchasing continuously integrates environmental, social and economic goals into its business processes. Stores is committed to inclusion of environmentally friendly products and supplier diversity in preferred supplier contracts and continuously works with departments to increase visibility of these agreements.

Purchasing is committed to working collaboratively with college / VP areas to integrate sustainable practices into campus operations by minimizing resource consumption and waste generation; reducing the carbon footprint of university-related travel; establishing innovative procurement practices such as “Buying Green”; and recognizing, supporting and measuring initiatives that promote sustainability.

By leveraging the university’s buying power, Purchasing is able to acquire many products with environmentally friendly alternatives. Browse preferred supplier agreements in eStores and look for the “green” label.

Stores is committed to inclusion of environmentally friendly products and supplier diversity in preferred supplier contracts and continuously works with departments to increase visibility of these agreements.

https://busfin.osu.edu/buy-schedule-travel/purchasing/social-responsibility

https://busfin.osu.edu/sites/default/files/221_purchasing.pdf


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:

Per the university’s Green Build and Energy Policy adopted in 2008, each qualifying building construction project, a life-cycle cost analyses will be undertaken by a qualified engineer or architect and in accordance with the standards established in ORC 3345.69 (http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3345.69). This will include an energy systems analysis and the results of these analyses will be a primary consideration in developing the project design


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)?:
No

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

N/A


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 university Green Build and Energy Policy (policy 3.10) requires each qualified building construction project with a budget of $4 million or more to be certified to United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified “Silver” or higher; and to divert at least 50% of construction and demolition waste from the landfill. Below are the required university mandated LEED points for each project:
1. Optimize energy performance,
2. Enhanced commissioning,
3. Enhanced refrigerant management,
4. Construction waste management/Low-emitting materials – paints and coatings,
5. Low-emitting materials - flooring systems,
6. Indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and
7. Thermal comfort: design

https://ap.osu.edu/sites/default/files/310_green-build-energy.pdf

https://fod.osu.edu/sites/default/files/div_01.pdf


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:

Policy is to procure equipment according to the University Policy at best value with the preference for products that are EPEAT registered. This is accomplished via contracts with manufacturers that have numerous EPEAT offerings and is communicated by the purchasing agent during procurement process.

http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/InformationTechnology/StateofOhioITStandards.aspx


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:

N/A


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:

The Ohio State University is committed to conducting its business affairs in a socially-responsible and ethical manner, consistent with its educational, research and service missions. As part of our on-going efforts to ensure that all Ohio State licensed products are made in socially compliant factories and that all workers are treated fairly, we are members of both the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). Our minimum, and non-negotiable requirement, is that all Ohio State licensees seek and receive membership in the FLA.

As part of that commitment, the University expects each Licensee of Ohio State to recognize its responsibilities to employees for the conditions under which its licensed products or services are made. Employees producing and/or assembling products or services manufactured, sold or distributed by a Licensee must be provided with fair wages and decent working conditions, and must be treated with dignity and respect.

http://www.fairlabor.org/affiliate/ohio-state-university


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 university has a goal consistent with the state of Ohio’s mandate to purchase 15% of its goods and services from state of Ohio certified minority vendors. Sections 4115.31 through 4115.35 of the Ohio Revised Code direct that any instrumentality of the state utilize a qualified non-profit state agency for the purchase of products and/or services which are available from a work center employing persons with disabilities. Requisitions for construction, architectural, engineering or similar projects are processed after review and approval by Facilities Operations and Development. ORC § 4115, relating to the payment of prevailing wage rates on public improvements, requires that prevailing wages be paid on projects whose estimated or actual values equal or exceed the current prevailing wage threshold levels. ORC §§ 4115.0-99 require that prevailing wage information be furnished to the Facilities Operations and Development, Design and Construction, prevailing wage coordinator.

https://busfin.osu.edu/document/purchasing-policy-221-pdf


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)?:
Yes

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

The university Vehicle Acquisition & Use Policy (policy 272), outlines the vehicle acquisition standard and stated preference for the purchase of fuel-efficient and/or alternative-fueled vehicles and assets.

Stores utilizes Central Receiving for delivery of your orders. Central Receiving's fleet includes numerous vehicles powered by Soy Bio-diesel Fuel (B20). Soy Bio-diesel is a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional petroleum diesel. It is made from renewable resources: soybean oil and animal fats. The use of this fuel has benefits that extend beyond the boundaries of the university. Scientists believe that carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that contribute to the global warming effect. The B20 blend reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15 percent. It also lessens carbon monoxide, particulate and sulfur dioxide emissions, which have all been targeted as public health risks by the Environmental Protection Agency.

https://ap.osu.edu/sites/default/files/272_vehicle-acquisition-use.pdf


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:

The University's Recycled Paper Policy (policy 2.01) was instituted on July 1, 2008. The policy requires all copy paper used on campus to have at least 30 percent recycled content and contains requirements pertaining to elemental chlorine free (ECF) paper and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) chain of custody certifications. Ohio State is committed to purchasing sustainable solutions that provide benefit for the economic, environmental, and educational future of our University and the community. In support of the university’s sustainability mission and to reduce the environmental impact of goods purchased and services contracted, the university will afford a preference to the purchase of products, where applicable and economically feasible, to products which meet one or more of the following general criteria:
- Contain at least 10% postconsumer and/or 20% postindustrial material
- Contain at least 50% rapidly renewable materials
- Contain at least 70% material salvaged from within or without the university

Stores is constantly increasing access to environmentally friendly alternatives of commonly used supplies. The university has required since July 1, 2008, that all copy paper used on campus have at least 30 percent recycled content, as reflected in the Recycled Paper Policy. It is estimated this initiative will save more than 8,000 trees and almost 3 million gallons of wastewater while diverting 382,000 pounds of solid waste from landfills.

https://busfin.osu.edu/sites/default/files/201_recycledpaper_0.pdf


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:

N/A


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