| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.52 |
| Liaison | Maria Kirrane |
| Submission Date | July 28, 2022 |
University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Fiona
Thompson Ms Procurement Office |
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:
UCC's Procurement Strategy (20017-2022) lists Sustainability as one of 6 key underpinning principles. One of the Strategic Objectives of this strategy is to provide leadership on sustainability and corportate social responsibility by applyign sustainable and whole life cycle costing criteria where possible and being SME friendly.
Procurement across major commodity categories in UCC (as with all Irish HEIs) is governed by the national Office of Government Procurement. This office issued guidelines for public procurement in 2017, which include environmental and social considerations - https://ogp.gov.ie/public-procurement-guidelines-for-goods-and-services/
Under Environmental considerations the priority areas are: construction; energy; transport; food and catering services; cleaning products and services; paper; clothing and textiles; information and communications technology. Core and comprehensive criteria are identified for use throughout the procurement process. The provisions within these guidelines cover:
- technical specifications can be formulated with reference to production processes, e.g. organic agriculture or chlorine-free bleaching of paper
- award criteria may include social or environmental characteristics of the goods, services or works being purchased, e.g. electricity from renewable sources or fair-traded products
- third-party eco-labels can be requested to demonstrate compliance with technical specifications, and in relation to award criteria or contract performance conditions, provided these meet certain standards of openness and transparency
- life-cycle costing can be applied to measure and compare costs including environmental externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions. Where a common EU method for LCC has been developed (such as for the procurement of road transport vehicles) this must be used
- minimum standards - contracting authorities can refuse to award a contract to the operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender where it does not comply with certain minimum social and environmental obligations set out in Annex X of Directive 2014/14/ EU
- abnormally low tenders must be rejected where this is due to breach of certain international social or environmental conventions (e.g. on protection of the ozone layer, persistent organic pollutants and treatment of hazardous chemicals or waste) and suppliers can be excluded for breaches
- evidence of the environmental management measures which a supplier will be able to apply in the execution of any contract may be requested at Selection Stage of a competition
- contract performance clauses - key performance indicators, incentives, penalties or remedies can be inserted in contracts linked to environmental issues. To do this they must be indicated in the Contract Notice or procurement documents and must be linked to the subject-matter of the contract.
The guidelines also advice on encouraging SME participation in public tendering processes.
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:
Electricity contracts and all equipment are assessed based on the total cost of ownership including running costs, preventive maintenance and capital costs and disposal.
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:
Green Public Procurement Guideline (national state level guidelines for procurement in the public sector) requires that cleaning products and services meet standards of EU REACH Regulation (Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No.1907/2006), and the EC Regulations on Detergents and European Union (Packaging) Regulations, 2007.
The core criteria outline the substances considered to be of very high concern and the proposed verification process required to ensure compliance. They further outline the necessary steps that a public body should take to ensure and verify staff training and contract management.
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx
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:
The Office of Governement Procurement procures all consumables and green criteria are used in this process. The specific criteria used by the OGP in procuring these services for the public sector (inc. UCC) are outlined in this document:
https://www.epa.ie/publications/circular-economy/resources/Irish-GPP-Criteria-Paper-and-Printing.pdf
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:
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:
Office of Government Green Criteria are used in process. ICT Framework for PCs and Laptops included green criteria. The specific criteria being used by the OGP in procuring ICT equipment for the public sector including UCC are detailed in this document:
https://www.epa.ie/publications/circular-economy/resources/Irish-GPP-Criteria-ICT.pdf
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:
5% of award criteria dedicated to sustainability considerations. Information on supply chain process, locally produced where possible, optimised delivery systems, reduced packaging, less carbon intensive food choices, environmentally friendly cleaning methods, reduction of waste such as portion control, alternatives to disposable cups and a waste oil programme, energy control - minimise energy consumption associated with contract, use of electric vehicles and environmental accreditation.
In addition, Healthy eating - supplier contracted to support health promotion initiatives for students and staff such as operation transformation and step challenges.
Obliged to provide nutritionally balanced options on menus across campus.
All tender documents are publicly available when the tender is out on the e-tenders website.
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:
Applicants will be required to confirm that they will adhere to an ethical code of conduct based on the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour’s Organisations conventions and recommendations on basic labour rights as well as adopting ethical standards in the conduct of their affairs which respect the intrinsic value of individual human beings.
Information requested as part of tender process: a sustainability proposal was sought, details on ethical and sustainable sourcing solutions, packaging solutions and delivery options.
All tender documents are publicly available when the tender is out on the e-tenders website.
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:
As contracts come up for renewal sustainability is embedded as a requirement within the tender document for example in graphic design service providers 10% for sustainability at Prequalification stage - evidence required of sustainability within organisation - evidence of a well developed polocy or other initiatives required.
All tender documents are publicly available when the tender is out on the etenders website.
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:
UCC's recent Park & Ride tender included 15% for environmental considerations. This included:
This will be assessed on information provided under the following headings:
• The provision of training for drivers re. eco-driving (for fuel consumption saving driving);
• Fuel consumption/Emissions of fleet
• Waste disposal policy;
• Use of alternative fuels for vehicles;
• Proposals of how you would support UCC’s Sustainability goals.
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.