Thompson Rivers University
OP-17: Guidelines for Business Partners

There are three elements (with corresponding web links) in this section: 1) Whenever $30,000 or more will be spent on a contract for goods or services by any TRU entity (office, department, etc.) a Request For Proposal (RFP) process through the TRU Procurement Services office must be followed in order to ensure a fair and equitable process unfolds for all prospective bidders. Along with all other contract sections in the RFP that receive consideration in the review process before a final decision is made on who is awarded the contract, is a section (4.14) on Environmental Sustainability. This section ensures that those bidders with strong track records in this area, and/or who plan to address environmental sustainbility issues in the contract, are recognized for doing so. here is the link to the full RFP document: http://www.tru.ca/sustain/initiatives/Purchasing.html 2) All businesses operating in BC must adhere to provincial labour laws. These laws require businesses to adhere to minimum standards regarding employee wages, benefits, working conditions and rights. Here is the link to the BC Employment Standards Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96113_01 3) As a BC public institution, TRU is bound to work with business partners using very high standards. These are set out in the TRU Purchasing Policy. Here is its opening paragraph: "The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that the University obtains the best value for its expenditures while ensuring that all procurements and procurement processes are characterized by the highest level of institutional and personal integrity; that the procurement process is open, transparent and fair; and that all qualified vendors are given the opportunity to compete for the University’s business". Here is the TRU Purchasing Policy: http://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/brd02-25637.pdf

In order to speak to this question, here is what Julie Gemin, TRU Procurement Manager, has to say on the subject: "The process in place for measuring Contractors/Vendors on the way they deal with sustainability or their staff treatment is the % score we request in most competitive public bid postings (shown below; see "RFP 4.14"). Their vendor submissions are then marked appropriately, depending on their submission and how they demonstrate sustainable practices". RFP - 4.14 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (This is a statement from a section of the TRU Request For Proposal (RFP) template (see link to full document in reporting field above), that all bidders for TRU contracts above $30,000 must fill in and submit). "Thompson Rivers University recognizes that it has a significant role to play in education, research, policy development and information exchange related to the health of the local and global environments in which citizens live and work. TRU seeks to be the University of Choice for students concerned about environmental sustainability and to be recognized for its leadership and stewardship in responding to environmental challenges. TRU seeks to partner with contractors who support in constructive ways the environment. Please identify areas your company are making a difference and how that can impact TRU positively."