| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.22 |
| Liaison | Mary Ellen Mallia |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University at Albany
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 3.00 |
Mary Ellen
Mallia Director of Environmental Sustainability Finance and Business |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
The SUNY system adheres to Executive Order 4, which requires reporting on waste and sustainable purchases. The Green NY website has resources on contracts, specifications and other resources related to sustainable purchases. https://www.ogs.state.ny.us/greenny/Default.asp
The SUNY Standard contract clauses prohibit the purchase of tropical hardwoods. Typically, wood sourced in construction contracts is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Diesel emissions: The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2006 requires contractors to certify and warrant that all heavy duty vehicles, as defined in New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) section 19-0323, used by the contractors, their agents or subcontractors, comply with the specifications and provisions of section 19-0323 and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Contractors unless specifically waived by Department of Environmental Conservation are required to use the Best Available Retrofit Technology and Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel. Qualification for a waiver under this law will be the sole responsibility of the contractor.
THE NYS Office of General Services provides specifications for green purchasing to all state agencies. Some of these are product specific but other guidelines can be applied to a variety of commodities, such as the one on packaging. See: https://www.ogs.state.ny.us/greenny/specs/green-specs-MPL.asp
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:
Executive Order 88 Guidelines stipulate that life cycle cost analysis is one of the primary assessment tools used to evaluate whether a particular energy conservation measure or an energy-related capital project should be implemented. When deciding between multiple project alternatives, the alternative with the overall lowest life cycle cost should be the one selected. The following language is included in the Executive Order 88 Guidelines:
EO88 Guidelines Page 12:
Although typically not required for ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits, “cost-effective” measures will be determined using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”). A portfolio may include, but shall not be limited to, no-cost and low-cost operational improvements, retro-commissioning, capital energy efficiency retrofits, on-site renewable and high-efficiency combined heat and power, and other measures identified by the CMIT.
1. How are "required capital projects" defined? (EO88 Guidelines Page 14)
Any energy efficiency measure, or combination of energy efficiency measures, which result from an energy audit, and are deemed “cost-effective” shall be considered a required capital project. State Entities shall complete, or make substantial progress toward completion, any cost-effective measures identified during an energy audit or similar study within two years of the study’s completion. Cost-effectiveness shall be determined by a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”). Specific parameters for the LCCA account for:
• Initial Costs—Purchase, Acquisition, Construction Costs
• Fuel Costs
• Documented Operation, Maintenance, and Repair Costs
• Replacement Costs
• Residual Values—Resale or Salvage Values or Disposal Costs
• Finance Charges—Loan Interest Payments
Appendix D - Determining Project Cost-Effectiveness (EO88 Guidelines Page 32)
Executive Order 88 explicitly requires that buildings with low benchmark scores must undergo an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit. State Entities must then implement a cost-effective portfolio of measures and complete or make substantial progress toward completion of such measures within two years of the audit.1 For the purposes of EO 88, a project shall be considered cost-effective if the calculated Savings-to-Investment Ratio (“SIR”) is greater than or equal to 1.20. Additionally, when evaluating multiple, mutually exclusive alternatives, the alternative with the lowest life-cycle cost (“LCC”) is considered the most cost-effective and should be selected for installation.
Life Cycle -Cost Analysis Overview (EO88 Guidelines Page 32)
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (“LCCA”) evaluates the costs and savings that occur from owning, operating, maintaining, replacing, and disposing of an efficiency measure over its lifetime. This method typically discounts costs and savings to reflect the time value of money. Because it accounts for all costs and savings over the full life-cycle of the measure, LCCA provides the most accurate assessment of a project’s long-term cost-effectiveness. Applying LCCA ensures that State Entities maximize savings opportunities and will ultimately help achieve the goals of EO 88.
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Executive Order 4 encourages the use of green cleaning supplies. The use of green seal approved cleaner and low VOC paints is the university standard
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
Executive Order 4 indicates a preference for products that are made from recycled materials and/or are regionally sourced. NYS OGS provides guidelines for construction material. See: https://www.ogs.state.ny.us/greenny/green-product-specs.asp
Examples include: acoustical ceiling standard https://www.ogs.state.ny.us/greenny/specs/green-specs-AcousticalCeiling.asp
Carpet and Tile specifications: https://www.ogs.state.ny.us/greenny/specs/green-specs-CarpetandCarpettile.asp
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
Executive Order 4 requires the purchase of 100% recycled paper and janitorial paper products as well as FSC certified wood.
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?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The website URL where information about the programs 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.