Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.49
Liaison Cody Friend
Submission Date Feb. 13, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Nebraska at Omaha
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Sarah Burke
Sustainability Coordinator
Student Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
---

The policies, guidelines or directives:

The Procurement Office is committed to buying more environmentally preferable goods and services as long as they meet our performance needs, and they are available within a reasonable period of time at a reasonable cost.

By including environmental considerations in our procurement decisions, along with our traditional concerns with price, performance and availability, we will remain fiscally responsible while promoting products and services that have a reduced effect on human health and the environment.

UNO’s “Green Purchasing” strategy is to develop policies consistent with the following:
- Minimize the consumption of natural resources by reviewing current and proposed future usage and evaluating the pros and cons of alternatives.
- Seek alternatives to products and processes that are detrimental to the environment by using more “environmentally friendly” products and processes.
- Minimize waste, including any packaging, waste produced by the product (or service) in questions, and waste generated by the eventual disposal of the product.
- Maximize the reuse and recycling of materials.
- Stimulate demand for “environmentally friendly” products by letting manufacturers and suppliers know the environmental performance we are looking for in products.


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:

The UNO LCCA for Facilities is a more of a practice than a policy and is normally only completed for larger equipment components. LCCA is used on occasions to determine the most cost effective equipment to select for purchase to be installed the Central Utilities Plant (CUP).

One of the most recent times, LCCA was used in the evaluation and selection of two new 1250 ton chillers for the CUP. The evaluation was based on the part load performance operational conditions and run times at 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% loading conditions. Manufacturer’s quotes and data were to include purchase price, performance data containing chiller KW/ton at each part load condition, and expected routine maintenance services/intervals. This information was then used to complete a spreadsheet for the 20-year life cycle cost analysis (LCCA).


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

Environmental Health & Safety purchases on Green-Seal certified cleaning products as their standard practice. While the cleaning product program is not certified, Custodial Services has adopted a low impact cleaning program for both chemicals and equipment. For example: non-stripping chemicals & wax, non-acid chemicals, non-aerosol products, and certified green all-in-one products for multiple task disinfectants.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

UNO's Building Design Policy requires all new construction and major renovations projects to be built to the LEED certified level. The LEED building scorecard has a section for "Materials and Resources", so while it is not mandatory for UNO to pursue this credit, it is an option to meet the certified level.


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

All bulk purchases are coordinated through the Information Services (IS) department, which enforces the guidelines they developed. All central computing on campus is under the direction of IS, who ensures that the University adheres to these guidelines.

http://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/_docs/UNO_IT_GreenGuidelines_v2.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
---

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:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
---

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)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
---

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?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
---

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.