| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.78 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | Jan. 3, 2024 |
University of Houston
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 3.00 |
Elizabeth
Clark Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Planning |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies
Yes
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
The University of Houston System supports and encourages historically underutilized businesses (HUBs). The programs, policies, and procedures described in this administrative memorandum apply to all purchases and procurement for goods and services for the System and its component universities.
For the purposes of this policy, a “historically underutilized business” is a for-profit corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or joint venture, with a principal place of business in this state, in which at least 51 percent is owned, controlled, operated, and actively managed by one or more persons who have been economically disadvantaged because of their membership in a certain group, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American women, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and/or Service-Disabled Veterans (see Texas Government Code, Section 2161.001).
Additionally, Chartwells, the chosen service provider for the University Master Food Service Agreement is held to the following regarding sustainable business practices: "University of Houston Dining Service’s approach to social responsibility and sustainability is tied into our overall Balanced U wellness programming. Through a variety of innovative programs and policies, we work closely with the communities we serve to reduce the impact our operations have on the world around us. Our focus on recycling, resource conservation, and waste reduction not only helps us operate more efficiently, but it also lets us ensure that the resources we use today will be available for future generations. Our Balanced U Sustainability approach addresses four basic tenets of sustainable and socially responsible business practices."
For the purposes of this policy, a “historically underutilized business” is a for-profit corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or joint venture, with a principal place of business in this state, in which at least 51 percent is owned, controlled, operated, and actively managed by one or more persons who have been economically disadvantaged because of their membership in a certain group, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American women, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and/or Service-Disabled Veterans (see Texas Government Code, Section 2161.001).
Additionally, Chartwells, the chosen service provider for the University Master Food Service Agreement is held to the following regarding sustainable business practices: "University of Houston Dining Service’s approach to social responsibility and sustainability is tied into our overall Balanced U wellness programming. Through a variety of innovative programs and policies, we work closely with the communities we serve to reduce the impact our operations have on the world around us. Our focus on recycling, resource conservation, and waste reduction not only helps us operate more efficiently, but it also lets us ensure that the resources we use today will be available for future generations. Our Balanced U Sustainability approach addresses four basic tenets of sustainable and socially responsible business practices."
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
No
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
---
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
---
Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria
To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above.
Chemically intensive products and services
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
The UH MAPP Policy (Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures) number 04.01.01, Purchase of Goods, Materials, and Supplies through the Purchasing Department, regulates the purchase of certain hazardous materials at University of Houston. This policy mandates that the EHS Hazardous-Regulated Materials Form (Replaces Addendum B Form) be used to obtain preapproval for hazardous materials purchases, including high risk hazardous chemicals. Under the leadership, advice and counsel of the UH Chemical Safety Committee (CSC), EHS has determined a list of UH controlled chemicals. https://www.uh.edu/ehs/labs/chemical-safety/procurement/#:~:text=EHS%20shall%20be%20contacted%20for,or%20CSC%20review%20and%20approval.
Our Green Cleaning policy ensures that cleaning practices and products used on campus prioritize environmental sustainability and indoor air quality. An SOP is in place for Facilities Services to continuously report green cleaning purchases. Additionally, custodians are trained on green cleaning practices. More information is discussed in OP-13: Cleaning and Janitorial Purchasing.
UH also has an Integrated Pest Management plan that prioritizes the use of non-hazardous pesticides and herbicides, or non-toxic practices, when landscaping the campus.
Our Green Cleaning policy ensures that cleaning practices and products used on campus prioritize environmental sustainability and indoor air quality. An SOP is in place for Facilities Services to continuously report green cleaning purchases. Additionally, custodians are trained on green cleaning practices. More information is discussed in OP-13: Cleaning and Janitorial Purchasing.
UH also has an Integrated Pest Management plan that prioritizes the use of non-hazardous pesticides and herbicides, or non-toxic practices, when landscaping the campus.
Consumable office products
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
---
Furniture and furnishings
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Section 7 of University of Houston’s Design Guidelines requires all new capital projects and major renovation projects to be certified to LEED Silver or better standards. UH’s master specifications in turn direct contractors to furnish and install sustainable components such as flooring, ceiling tiles, walls and paint in line with LEED requirements. Please see the representative sample of UH master specifications attached under "additional documentation to support the submission" for the sustainable criteria related to key furnishings.
https://www.uh.edu/facilities-planning-construction/vendor-resources/owners-design-criteria/design-guidelines/
https://www.uh.edu/facilities-planning-construction/vendor-resources/owners-design-criteria/design-guidelines/
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
University of Houston electronics are purchased at a minimum EPEAT silver level.
http://www.uh.edu/finance/Departments/HUB/store/dell/
http://www.uh.edu/finance/Departments/HUB/store/dell/
Food service providers
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
---
Garments and linens
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
---
Professional service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
The University of Houston has various guidelines and policies that prioritize sustainable and historically disadvantaged businesses for our professional services.
Firstly, The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurement. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.https://www.uh.edu/office-of-finance/hub/
Additionally, Facilities Planning and construction master specifications state that pre-construction meetings, as well as project management coordination, include a standing agenda review of sustainable design requirements.
Specifically, the specifications for meetings and decisions include a review of:
"Significant qualities may include attributes such as performance, weight, size,
durability, visual effect, sustainable design characteristics, warranties, and specific features and requirements indicated."
Additionally, campus design guidelines require Environmentally Responsible (“Sustainable”) Design that state:
"In addition to other requirements, provide design and construction that minimizes adverse effects on the exterior environment, enhances the quality of the indoor environment, and minimizes consumption of energy, water, construction materials, and other resources."
See section 7, "Sustainable Design": https://www.uh.edu/facilities-planning-construction/vendor-resources/owners-design-criteria/design-guidelines/
Firstly, The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurement. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.https://www.uh.edu/office-of-finance/hub/
Additionally, Facilities Planning and construction master specifications state that pre-construction meetings, as well as project management coordination, include a standing agenda review of sustainable design requirements.
Specifically, the specifications for meetings and decisions include a review of:
"Significant qualities may include attributes such as performance, weight, size,
durability, visual effect, sustainable design characteristics, warranties, and specific features and requirements indicated."
Additionally, campus design guidelines require Environmentally Responsible (“Sustainable”) Design that state:
"In addition to other requirements, provide design and construction that minimizes adverse effects on the exterior environment, enhances the quality of the indoor environment, and minimizes consumption of energy, water, construction materials, and other resources."
See section 7, "Sustainable Design": https://www.uh.edu/facilities-planning-construction/vendor-resources/owners-design-criteria/design-guidelines/
Transportation and fuels
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---
Optional Fields
---
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.