The Ohio State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The Ohio State University policy on purchasing (https://policies.osu.edu/assets/policies/purchasing-policy.pdf) establishes how the institution governs purchasing decisions. This includes establishing University Purchasing and the Health System Supply Chain as the responsible offices for establishing guidelines for institutional units on purchasing activities. To that end, University Purchasing has established broad guidance to continuously integrate environmental goals into its business processes (https://busfin.osu.edu/buy-sell-travel/purchasing/social-responsibility), including a commitment to the inclusion of environmentally friendly products in preferred supplier contracts and work with departments to increase visibility of those agreements.

Additionally, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center developed sustainable procurement guidelines (https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/about-us/sustainability/sustainable-procurement) which help serve as a guideline for integration of sustainability criteria into both request for proposals (RFPs) scoring matrix and requests through the health system Value Analysis process.

Per the university’s Sustainable Design and Construction Policy adopted in 2021, for each qualifying building construction project, a life-cycle cost analyses will be undertaken by a qualified engineer or architect. This will include an energy systems analysis and the results of these analyses will be a primary consideration in developing the project design. Website: https://fod.osu.edu/sustainable-design

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Ohio State’s internal system for employees to purchase office products (STORES and Buckeye Buy) enable sorting and visual cues for products with a sustainability attribute (percentage of post-consumer recycled content, third-party certification such as Forest Stewardship Council, soy ink, etc.). Please see the attributes highlighted in red boxes in the attached graphic showing STORES product purchasing interface.

https://busfin.osu.edu/buy-schedule-travel/purchasing/purchase-products/stores

Additionally, the medical center has worked through its group purchasing organization, Vizient, to purchase nearly 100% of its spend with at least one environmental attribute, such as a product containing forest stewardship certified wood or a plastic that’s recyclable.

In fiscal year 2021, the medical center’s Space and Facility Planning and Supply Chain departments partnered together to integrate sustainability criteria into the procurement process for all current and upcoming construction projects with a focus on furnishings. Not only have 80% of all materials installed met the sustainability criteria, but the medical center will also realize immediate cost savings and additional savings over the life cycle of these more-sustainable building materials. As part of this work, the medical center has started a pilot take back program with its carpet vendor to divert old carpet tiles from renovation projects to be recycled into new carpet.

Policy is to procure equipment according to the University Purchasing Policy at best value with 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.

Ohio State has established a goal to procure 40% of its purchased food that is served on campus from local and sustainable providers. In order to be included in the sustainable category, the food item is required to have a designated third party certification pertaining to sustainable production practices, animal welfare, and worker safety/treatment. These third-party certifications will be occasionally reviewed and updated to ensure the university is capturing marketplace changes and innovations.

https://si.osu.edu/sites/default/files/FoodSustainabilityFinalReport_11-29-18forwebsite.pdf

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 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.

https://www.fairlabor.org/member/the-ohio-state-university/

The university has a goal consistent with the State of Ohio to purchase from diverse suppliers (e.g. Minority Business Enterprises, Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity program, veteran-owned enterprises, etc.). Further, 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 that 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://policies.osu.edu/assets/policies/purchasing-policy.pdf

The University Fleet Policy, and its embedded University Fleet Standards, outlines the university’s vehicle acquisition standards and stated preference for the purchase of alternative-fueled vehicles to maintain a modern, reliable, efficient and sustainable fleet that will preserve environmental and economic resources.

In addition, Ohio State maintains a CNG fueling station on its main Columbus campus to fuel its campus bus fleet and other heavy duty vehicles that have been transitioned from traditional diesel fuel vehicles. The university has partnered with the City of Columbus and other local municipalities to also enable their transitioned heavy duty vehicles to refuel at the station, reducing their need to travel to further locations for CNG refueling.

https://policies.osu.edu/assets/policies/University-Fleet-Policy.pdf
https://ttm.osu.edu/university-fleet-standards
https://ttm.osu.edu/cng-station-now-open