Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 77.34
Liaison Sally DeLeon
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Maryland, College Park
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Sally DeLeon
Acting Manager
Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
The University of Maryland, College Park will procure all supplies, services, maintenance, construction and architect-engineer services in a manner consistent with the promotion of sound environmental stewardship and, in particular, promoting the reduction of carbon emissions as envisioned by the University’s Climate Action Plan. Consideration of the environmental impact of products and services must be an integral part of the procurement process and should be weighed along with price and other factors when making procurement decisions.

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
UMD has developed Design Standards that address the completion of energy modeling assumptions and, measurement and verification for new and major renovation projects at the UMCP campus. "Building design optimization, energy modeling and measurement/verification of facility performance after the completion of a project are critical to achieving the University's goals of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions." Energy modeling is required for all new construction and/or major renovation projects greater than 7,500 GSF. (A major renovation project is defined as a renovation in which the building shell is to be reused for the new construction and the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and plumbing systems shall be replaced.)

The Requirements stipulate that an Energy Analyst "perform energy and lifecycle cost analysis, to ensure the building design considers both capital and operating and maintenance costs when making decisions..." and "perform energy and life cycle cost analysis based on the University's actual and current rates for net present values, utility costs, renewable energy certificate (REC) costs, carbon offset costs, maintenance costs and replacement life expectancies."

Analysts are expected to use the NIST "BLCC latest version" to complete life-cycle cost comparisons and to compare various building orientations, building envelope features, and HVACR options as a part of the Energy Analysis/Simulation Model requirements. For Schematic Design requirements, analysts are required to perform "energy and lifecycle analyses of building envelope systems, a base HVAC and lighting system plus a minimum of 3 alternate HVAC and lighting systems that have been formally reviewed and approved by the University's FM Energy Performance representative" and identify "a list of measures that can be employed for greatest impact on lifecycle energy and carbon neutrality costs."

For more information refer to the Energy and Energy Analysis section of the university's Design Criteria/Facilities Standards at https://facilities.umd.edu/sites/default/files/DCFS/2020/01_86_26_Energy_and_Energy_Analysis_Final.pdf

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement state the specifications and statements of work prepared by Departments and units of the University for procurement under delegated authority or for forwarding to the Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for procurement shall:
(1) promote the procurement and use of the following, where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations: recycled biosolids for use as mulch or compost; biodegradable-biobased, non-hazardous, and/or "Green Seal (or equal)" certified cleaning products; Low (or no) VOC painting products, adhesives and solvents.
(2) discourage to the maximum extent feasible and within the limitation of existing laws and regulations, the procurement and use of: asbestos-containing materials; mercury-containing materials; chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); hazardous substances requiring special handling and disposal; polystyrene products and packaging; bleached, virgin paper with 0% post-consumer recycled content.

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement state the specifications and statements of work prepared by Departments and units of the University for procurement under delegated authority or for forwarding to the Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for procurement shall:
(1) promote the procurement and use of the following, where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations: Post-consumer recycled-content paper products from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources (see uploaded document for details); Recycled biosolids for use as mulch or compost; Green furniture products containing materials from renewable sources or recycled-content.

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement state the specifications and statements of work prepared by Departments and units of the University for procurement under delegated authority or for forwarding to the Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for procurement shall:
(1) promote the procurement and use of the following, where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations: energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs, Energy-Star (or equal) rated appliances and equipment and this is mandatory when such products are available; EPEAT certified green electronic equipment; re-crushed/recycled concrete and asphalt materials; products made from recycled tire rubber; low noise emitting equipment and appliances; carpeting and flooring products which are manufactured from recycled-content materials and are recyclable; green furniture products containing materials from renewable sources or recycled-content; building products containing recycled material content; Low (or no) VOC painting products, adhesives and solvents; LEED Silver (or equal) or higher design standards for eligible new facilities and major renovations along with incorporation of sustainable design features to the maximum extent possible, on facilities projects not eligible for LEED; local sources for goods and services. (2) discourage to the maximum extent feasible and within the limitation of existing laws and regulations, the procurement and use of: asbestos-containing materials; mercury-containing materials; chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); hazardous substances requiring special handling and disposal; polystyrene products and packaging; bleached, virgin paper with 0% post-consumer recycled content.

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement state the specifications and statements of work prepared by Departments and units of the University for procurement under delegated authority or for forwarding to the Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for procurement shall promote the procurement and use of the following, where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations: Energy-Star (or equal) rated appliances and equipment and EPEAT certified green electronic equipment. Procurement of Energy Star (or equal) rated equipment and appliances is mandatory when such products are available.

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement promotes the procurement of biodegradable and/or compostable food service packaging and service items where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations. All of the convenience stores and most of the concessions on campus are operated in house by UMD's Dining Services to whom these Policies and Procedures apply. In addition, Dining Services has a published Sustainable Food Commitment which specifies annual increases in sustainable food purchases (see http://dining.umd.edu/sustainability/sustainable-food-commitment/).

Garments and linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
---

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Section IX of The University System of Maryland (USM) Procurement Policies and Procedures addresses socio-economic policies and includes the following language which applies to professional services, including architectural and engineering services:
Pursuant to Chapter 515 of the Laws of 1999, the University System of Maryland shall to the maximum extent practicable comply with the provisions of Title 14, Subtitles 1 (Preferences to Benefit Disadvantaged Individuals) and 3 (Minority Business Participation) of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The USM Procurement Policies and Procedures are available online at https://www.usmd.edu/regents/bylaws/SectionVIII/VIII300.pdf

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
The Policies and Procedures for Environmentally Preferable Procurement state the specifications and statements of work prepared by Departments and units of the University for procurement under delegated authority or for forwarding to the Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for procurement shall:
(1) promote the procurement and use of the following, where available and within limitations of existing laws and regulations: Low emission, fuel efficient vehicles; Alternative fuels for use in vehicles including ethanol, biodiesel, CNG, electric and other fuel types as may become available and associated infrastructure.

Optional Fields 

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:
Learn more about the State of Maryland Green Purchasing guidelines: https://dgs.maryland.gov/Pages/GreenPurchasing/index.aspx

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.