| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.15 |
| Liaison | Mary Ellen Mallia |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2023 |
University at Albany
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 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 multiple 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. This order is currently being updated and replaced by EO 22. Guidelines for this executive order are still in formation. As a result of these orders, SUNY campuses are required, where applicable, to purchase environmentally-friendly commodities, services and technology and develop sustainability and stewardship programs.
The Green NY website has resources on contracts, specifications and other resources related to sustainable purchases. https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/executive-order-4
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:
Construction guidelines from the state 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?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Executive Order 4 (and subsequently EO 22) encourages the use of green cleaning supplies. Green seal approved cleaners and low VOC paints are the university standard.
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:
Executive Order 4 (and subsequently EO 22) 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 furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Executive Order 4 (and subsequently EO 22) indicates a preference for products that are made from recycled materials and/or are regionally sourced. NYS OGS provides guidelines for construction material.
Examples include: lower carbon concrete and acoustical ceiling tiles
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/approved-greenny-specifications
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:
NYS's GreenNY procurement specifications set guidelines for computers and displays. These specifications include environmental performance, packaging, disclosure and recycling guidelines. The full specification text can be found here: https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/computers-and-displays
The University uses industry leaders and reputable manufacturers such as Dell, HP and Apple. The NYS Aggregate buy only includes products of EPEAT Gold or higher rating.
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny-purchasing-requirements-and-tools
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/computers-and-displays
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:
Sustainability criteria were included in our current RFP for a dining service provider including:
Provide your proposed Year One Sustainability initiatives, including identification of those you believe are an enhancement to the current program and why.
What additional sustainability initiatives would be beneficial to University at Albany in reducing the Program’s carbon footprint and how would you lead these efforts?
What strategies/tools would you use to measure and share the outcomes of your Sustainability initiatives with the University at Albany community?
Per the University’s Sustainability Goals University Goal 5 - Dining Requirements
Reduce Food waste and divert 100% from landfill by 2030.
Reduce/eliminate single use plastic waste and divert 100% from landfill by 2025.
Increase/maintain percent of local food by cost to minimum 30%.
Increase the percentage of food that is sustainably produced, and plant based by cost to minimum 20%.
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 university follows the SUNY wide anti-sweatshop policies.
SUNY Anti-Sweatshop Policy Doc. 7559
https://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=670
SUNY Anti-Sweatshop Procedure Doc. 7560
https://www.suny.edu/sunypp/documents.cfm?doc_id=672
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:
UAlbany places an emphasis on using MWBE (Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises) in accordance with state policy and targeted goals.
https://www.suny.edu/meansbusiness/supplier-diversity/mwbe/
The State University Construction Fund (SUCF) oversees all new construction and major rehabs for our academic buildings. They have developed guidance regarding procuring architectural and engineering contracts, which includes factors such as energy conservation, indoor environmental quality, accessibility, and other sustainability factors.
CF and contractors hired to provided professional services (e.g., architectural, engineering) are required to comply with Directive 1B-2 Net Zero Carbon New Buildings and Deep Energy Retrofits of Existing Buildings and Directivtive 1B-7 Sustainability, LEED and Executive Orders,
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:
Under New York State Executive Order 4 (and subsequent EO 22), Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program (https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/executive-order-4-approved-specifications) there are 11 approved specifications in the transportation category such as for pavement sealer, road salts, pavement marking paint, passenger cars, lubricating oils and more.
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. All heavy duty vehicles used on campus are in compliance with this act.
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.