University of California, Los Angeles
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Bonny
Bentzin Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer UCLA Sustainability |
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:
Please see provided link.
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:
As part of the the Facilities Manual (which contains University of California policies, procedures, and guidelines for its facilities), conservation standards and guidelines for sustainability include using LCCA to assess the feasibility of capital investments to achieve energy and water conservation.
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:
The University of California has the goals of increasing the purchase of products and materials that disclose known hazards, are free of hazardous additives and/or meet all eleven of the Kaiser Permanente Chemicals of Concern Criteria: https://supplier.kp.org/impactspending/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/KPEPPStandards.pdf.
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:
Office/copy paper must have a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) or agricultural residue content. The paper would also meet requirements if it is Green Seal® (GS-07) certified. Offices should further strive to purchase 100% PCRC/agricultural residue content, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Recycled labeled, with additional preference for paper that is Processed Chlorine Free (PCF).
Paper products other than office/copy paper, e.g. calendars and notepads, must also have a minimum of 30% PCRC, with a preferred level of 100% recycled content with a minimum of 50% PCRC, 90% PCRC wire components, water or plant-based adhesives, and additional preference for PCF, FSC, and/or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) labeled products.
Non-paper office supplies (binders, writing utensils, etc.) must meet the minimum EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) for recycled content levels. All plastic-based writing utensils and accessories (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, pencils) must also have a minimum of 30% recycled content. Preferably, offices should follow the Preferred EPP Specifications listed by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and purchase products that are free of antimicrobial coatings.
Toner must meet at least one of the recognized standards for remanufactured toner as specified by the State of California’s Specifications for Remanufactured Toner and Ink Cartridges, or else be high yield. The preferred level for this category is product that is both remanufactured and high yield.
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:
Indoor furniture (seating, tables, etc.) must meet specifications for 5 chemical classes: flame retardants; formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds; per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances used as stain/water/oil resistant treatments; antimicrobials; and polyvinyl chloride. It is preferred that indoor furniture products also have one of the following certifications: BIFMA Level® certified (preference for 2 or 3), Cradle to Cradle Certified™ (preference for Silver or Gold level), FSC Certified wood, Textiles certified by one of the recognized textile certifications, Complete HPD or Complete Declare Label.
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:
IT hardware includes all electronic product categories covered and defined by the current EPEAT® ecolabel. They are required to be EPEAT® Bronze, with preference for EPEAT® Gold or the highest available EPEAT® label for a given product category.
In addition, all recyclers of electronic equipment must be e-Steward certified by the Basel Action Network (BAN). Where the University has established take-back programs with a manufacturer, the University will require the manufacturer to become a BAN-certified e-Steward Enterprise.
Printers and copiers must have duplex printing capabilities and hold their warranty while using 100% recycled content paper. Suppliers shall be required to deliver items to the University with energy efficiency and duplex printing functions enabled. Departments work with their IT departments to ensure that features remain enabled for the duration of the product’s use.
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:
The UC Policy on Sustainable Practices applies to contract-operated foodservices, as well as self-operated entities, at UC campus locations.
Each campus and health location procurement department will integrate sustainability into competitive solicitations. Procurement departments will allocate a minimum of 15% of the points utilized in solicitation evaluations to sustainability criteria.
All foodservice operations should track and report annually the percentage of total annual food budget spent on sustainable food and plant-based products. Locations will consider eliminating single-use plastic beverage bottles when contracting with suppliers, or upon contract renewal and/or extension if current contract terms prohibit (e.g., vending machines, departmental purchases, etc.).
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 UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees (UC Code ; https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3000130/TrademarkLicensing) provides guidance to companies granted permission to use the university’s name and other trademarks. Trademark licensees are required to agree to the UC Code as a condition of the licensing agreement between the licensee and university. A breach of the UC Code may jeopardize the status of the license agreement.
Specifically, the UC Code ensures minimally acceptable standards for:
- Workplace environment: Establish and commit to clear standards
- Staff training: Identify and train appropriate/qualified staff
- Committed suppliers: Share commitment to workplace standards with suppliers and workers in the supply chain
- Grievance mechanisms and confidential channel for workers: Ensure access to grievance procedures and confidential reporting channels
- Internal monitoring: Conduct workplace standards compliance monitoring
Management of compliance information: Collect, manage, and analyze workplace standards compliance information
- External verification: Allow for independent and credible third party verification and fulfillment of UC, FLA and/or other programmatic requirements
More information may be accessed at https://www.ucop.edu/sustainability/programs-initiatives/social-sustainability/index.html.
UCLA screens licensees to ensure that they are taking part in the training that the Fair Labor Association provides, and we strongly recommend that they are assessed by the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment. Lastly, we publish all of the factory disclosure data from licensees online.
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 of California (UC) recognizes that it has a responsibility to provide procurement opportunities to a diverse supplier pool. The UC Sustainable Practices Policy establishes the goal of awarding 25% Economically and Socially Responsible (EaSR) spend annually to small and diverse owned businesses. UC measures EaSR Spend on services supplied by businesses holding at least one classification or certification, e.g. small business, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Business, etc.
UC's EaSR Spend criteria include both Recognized Certifications and Standards (reputable government or nationally recognized certifications and standards UC recognizes as identifying suppliers that may have a positive impact on society and/or the economy) and Preferred Certifications (may have a positive impact on society and/or the economy, within California specifically). Suppliers with these certifications and standards are flagged in Hosted and Punch-out Catalogs. In addition, California law allows UC to award purchase agreements valued up to $250,000 to a certified small business without being competitively bid, so long as the UC obtains price quotations from two or more certified small businesses. In support of these goals, the University has established the Small Business First policy: https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/small-business-first/index.html.
Environmentally sustainable spend starts with reduce and reuse. In the assessment of Green Spend, the “dollar not spent” (items not purchased due to education and reduction activities and/or items reused) can be included in Green Spend calculations. Furthermore, Sustainable Spend is a concept that UC is evaluating. UC Sustainable Spend meets the criteria and requirements for Green Spend, as well as for EaSR Spend. Thus, Sustainable Spend is defined as the expenditures on products in a particular product category that are supplied by a business holding one of the UC-recognized EaSR certifications, in addition to the product meeting the Preferred Level Green Spend criteria.
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 purchase of vehicles is consistent with the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy and other guidelines and policies (see more below).
"D. Sustainable Transportation
The University will implement transportation programs and GHG emission reduction strategies that reduce the environmental impacts from commuting, fleet and business air travel related to achieving the Climate Protection section of this Policy (see Section III.C.)."
UCLA Transportation requires the selection of battery electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) for all new University vehicle purchases, if they are available in the classification needed by a campus user. As of July 1, 2023, each UC location must ensure that zero-emission vehicles, plug-in hybrid, or dedicated clean transportation fueled vehicles will account for at least 50% of all vehicle acquisitions (including both leased and purchased vehicles). All sedans and minivan acquisitions will be zero-emission or plug-in hybrid vehicles, except for public safety vehicles with special performance requirements.
In applications where zero-emission vehicles are not available, regardless of vehicle size class, the use of clean transportation fuels and other low-emission fuels will be prioritized. Campuses should support fuel conservation and air quality control efforts through acquisition or lease of low-emission vehicles and/or vehicles which utilize alternative/clean fuels whenever feasible, depending on the intended usage, availability of fuel, and cost effectiveness.
Each UC location must also develop a business-case analysis - for any proposed parking structures serving University affiliates or visitors to campus - to document how a capital investment in parking aligns with their Climate Action Plans and/or sustainable transportation policies.
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 University of California (UC) Sustainable Procurement Guidelines (“Guidelines”) lay out the minimum sustainability requirements for products and services purchased by the University of California and identify those product attributes that are strongly preferred, if not mandatory.
The Guidelines are a companion to the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Procedure Sections of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.
The UC Sustainable Practices Policy outlines the University’s goals for sustainable procurement as well as requirements for UC sustainable procurement practices, referring to the activities of UC buyers as they relate to sustainable procurement. The Guidelines document details what the University considers to be sustainable at the product, product category, service or industry level.
The UC Sustainable Practices Policy prioritizes waste reduction in the following order: reduce, reuse, and then recycle. Accordingly, sustainable procurement should reduce unnecessary purchasing first, then prioritize purchase of surplus or multiple use products before purchasing recyclable or compostable products.
UCLA only purchases BEVs and PHEVs now, except in limited classifications (small cargo van, full-bed pickup trucks, police pursuit vehicles, and fire apparatus) where they don’t exist. We don’t look for vehicles fueled with CNG, E85, etc. as an alternative to electric.
The University of California (UC) Sustainable Procurement Guidelines (“Guidelines”) lay out the minimum sustainability requirements for products and services purchased by the University of California and identify those product attributes that are strongly preferred, if not mandatory.
The Guidelines are a companion to the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Procedure Sections of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.
The UC Sustainable Practices Policy outlines the University’s goals for sustainable procurement as well as requirements for UC sustainable procurement practices, referring to the activities of UC buyers as they relate to sustainable procurement. The Guidelines document details what the University considers to be sustainable at the product, product category, service or industry level.
The UC Sustainable Practices Policy prioritizes waste reduction in the following order: reduce, reuse, and then recycle. Accordingly, sustainable procurement should reduce unnecessary purchasing first, then prioritize purchase of surplus or multiple use products before purchasing recyclable or compostable products.
UCLA only purchases BEVs and PHEVs now, except in limited classifications (small cargo van, full-bed pickup trucks, police pursuit vehicles, and fire apparatus) where they don’t exist. We don’t look for vehicles fueled with CNG, E85, etc. as an alternative to electric.
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.