| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.43 |
| Liaison | Greg Maginn |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2023 |
The Ohio State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Justin
Perry Purchasing Manager Purchasing Administration |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
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 consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
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.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
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.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
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.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
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
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
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 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.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
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
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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
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.