| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.80 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Merced
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
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:
In addition to the Business Contracting Policy, the University of California System Sustainable Practices policy provides guidelines and criteria that support sustainable purchasing.
Please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices
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:
Life Cycle Cost Analysis is conducted at multiple times during the design phase on all building/construction developments for the campus.
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:
There are chemical control measures for grounds keepers highlighted in the campus Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedure document. Additionally, the campus also follows a UCM Green Cleaning Policy.
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:
Yes, the campus has design standards for all new construction projects that require new buildings to be at minimum LEED Gold certified and follows stringent UC system requirements for energy efficiency located in the UC System Whole-Building Energy Performance Targets. Please visit http://sustainability.ucmerced.edu/leed-buildings
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:
Yes the University Strategic Sourcing contracts for computer products require manufacturers/suppliers to provide sustainable products and services that are in accordance with and/or exceed the university policy requirements.
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: All desktop computers, laptops, and computer monitors purchased by the University are required to have achieved a minimum Bronze-level registration or higher under the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), where applicable.
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:
Yes, the UC System Sustainable Practices Policy provides Foodservice sustainability critiera http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices
In the context of the Policy, sustainable food is defined as food and beverage
purchases that meet one or more of the criteria listed below, which are reviewed
annually by the UC Sustainable Foodservices Working Group (under the UC
Sustainability Steering Committee).
i. Locally Grown
ii. Locally Raised, Handled, and Distributed
iii. Fair Trade Certified
iv. Domestic Fair Trade Certified
v. Shade-Grown or Bird Friendly Coffee
vi. Rainforest Alliance Certified
vii. Food Alliance Certified
viii. USDA Organic
ix. AGA Grassfed
x. Grass-finished/100% Grassfed
xi. Certified Humane Raised & Handled
xii. American Humane Certified
xiii. Animal Welfare Approved
xiv. Global Animal Partnership (steps III, IV, V)
xv. Cage-free
xvi. Protected Harvest Certified
xvii. Marine Stewardship Council
xviii. Seafood Watch Guide “Best Choices” or “Good Alternatives”
xix. Farm/business is a cooperative or has profit sharing with all employees
xx. Farm/business social responsibility policy includes (1) union or prevailing
wages, (2) transportation and/or housing support, and (3) health care
benefits
xxi. Other practices or certified processes as determined by the location and
brought to the Sustainable Foodservices Working Group for review and
possible addition in future Policy updates.
3. With the goal of achieving 20% sustainable food purchases, all Food Service
Operations track and report the percentage of total annual food
budget spent on sustainable food at the campus. This language is also incorporated in the sustainable practices policy.
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 of California code of conduct stipulates that any article of clothing bearing the UC name be made in a factory that treats its workers as people, not as slaves, and the recent passing of the Designated Suppliers Act stipulates that 25% of licensed apparel must be paid a living wage – a wage that is higher than the minimum wage in all countries.
UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3000130/CodeTrademarkLicensees
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:
Yes, sustainability is a key component in services and contracting decisions and has been incorporated into specifications and evaluation criteria. http://sustainability.ucmerced.edu/procurement/
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: "The University will integrate sustainability requirements into its practices for competitive bidding in materiel and services procurement, allowing for suppliers that meet these requirements to earn additional evaluation points."
Provided in the Materiel Management Policy. Please visit http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
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:
Located in the UC Sustainability Practices Policy: 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.).
1. Each location will reduce GHG emissions from its fleet and report annually on its
progress. Locations shall implement strategies to reduce fleet emissions and
improve fuel efficiency of all university-owned or operated fleet vehicles and
equipment where practical options exist through acquisition and fleet operation
protocols.
A. By 2025, zero emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles shall account for at least
50 percent of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions.
2. The University recognizes that single-occupant vehicle (SOV) commuting is a
primary contributor to commute GHG emissions and localized transportation
impacts.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to reduce its percentage of employees
and students commuting by SOV by 10% relative to its 2015 SOV commute
rates;
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have no more 40% of its employees
and no more than 30% of all employees and students commuting to the
location by SOV.
3. Consistent with the State of California goal of increasing alternative fuel –
specifically electric – vehicle usage, the University shall promote purchases and
support investment in alternative fuel infrastructure at each location.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to have at least 4.5% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have at least 30% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
4. Each location will 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 each campus’ Climate Action Plans and/or sustainable transportation policies
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:
Yes, provided in the Materiel Management Policy http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
Also located in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy: The University will phase out the use of virgin paper and adopt a minimum standard of 30% Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) recycled content paper to be used in all office equipment (e.g., multi-function devices, copiers, printers, and fax machines).
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 campus has sustainability criteria to be applied as it relates to product packaging to be applied in procurement contracts with food vendors. This criteria is a crucial strategy the campus has taken to reduce waste generation in support of the campus zero waste goal by 2020.
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.