University of New Hampshire
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The following Sustainability Statement is included in every request for proposals, qualifications or other bids that the University issues: USNH and the CPA strive to conduct business in a sustainable and energy efficient manner. This is an effort to balance economic priorities with environmental health and human health. USNH will, when economically feasible, do business with companies that can further our sustainable objectives. We are interested in receiving environmental mission statements or information about any programs or policies that have to do with sustainable issues. These programs or policies can be, but are not limited to, reducing, reusing and recycling resources, disposal of organic and other solid waste, conservation efforts in regards to transportation, energy and water, disposal of hazardous waste, and/or giving back to the community. USNH also prefers to purchase items with Energy Star™ ratings. If applicable, please include as part of your bid, pertinent information in reference to any sustainable and/or energy efficient practices and products offered by your Firm." In addition, we have a Vendor Code of Conduct that specifies a requirement to adhere to environmentally, socially and economically sound practices. That code is as follows: "The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) is dedicated to maintaining excellence and integrity in all aspects of its educational and business activities. The trust of the community we serve -- our students and their families, our trustees and staff, our business associates, and the general public -- is vital to the image and economic success of our institution. In keeping these core values, we depend upon the responsible, law- abiding, and morally correct behavior of all vendors we conduct business with. The USNH has Vendor Code of Conduct describes the fundamental ethical and behavioral principles that govern all vendors who do business with any of our institutions. We expect all vendors to honor this commitment and abide by the provisions of this Vendor Code of Conduct as a condition of doing business with USNH. In doing business with USNH, our vendors and their representatives are expected to: Engage in legally-compliant and ethically-sound behavior during the course of business; Promote fair and respectful interaction with University personnel and third parties; Display a commitment to the environment and to society; Be committed to workplace and product safety; Reject all forms of discrimination & harassment; Display professionalism, fairness, and reliability in all business relations. It is the responsibility of each vendor to ensure that its representatives understand and comply with the USNH Vendor Code of Conduct. Further, participation in conduct or practices that violate the terms and spirit of this Vendor Code of Conduct may result in termination of a vendor’s business relationship with USNH."

UNH uses LCCA (as well as LCA of environmental impacts) when engaging in capital procurement of all fleet vehicles. See https://www.unh.edu/facilities/ecocat-vehicle-selection-calculator. UNH uses life cycle cost analysis on our energy efficiency projects as well as when a new construction project includes energy modeling, which is the case for most large capital construction projects.

In regard to janitorial, cleaning and sanitizing products, UNH specifies a preference for GreenSeal and other environmentally-friendly materials. For example, in our latest bid for warewashing, janitorial and laundry-related chemicals, the following language was included: "The University of New Hampshire through UNH Dining Services seeks a qualified supplier(s) to provide warewashing, janitorial and Laundry related cleaners and chemicals for its three (3) dining halls and (7) retail stores, cafes and restaurants. UNH and UNH Dining are committed to Sustainability and seek suppliers that can further their Sustainability goals." The bid specified a preference for Greenseal products and further included the following "Evaluation Criteria 3.5. 1 Evaluation criteria will be based on, but not necessarily limited to the following factors: 1.Overall suitability of the proposal for current and future needs of USNH 2.Competitiveness and stability of pricing 3. Response to Section 2. Scope of Work/Technical Specifications 4. Service Delivery Time 5. Financial stability and ability of Firm to fulfill the contract 6. Sustainability of company’s products and practices and the ability of company to support UNH’s broad Sustainability goals." In an RFP for a Custodial contractor, in addition to the general sustainability statement, the following was included in the Scope of Work: "Supplies & Equipment 2.2.3.2 Contractor to use environmentally friendly “green cleaning” products whenever possible/effective." And in another RFB for Janitorial supplies, we included the following (in addition to the overall Sustainability Statement"): Evaluation Criteria 3.5. 1 Evaluation criteria will be based on, but not necessarily limited to the following factors : 3.5.1.1 Overall suitability of the bid for current and future needs of USNH 3.5.1.2 Competitiveness and stability of pricing 3.5.1.3 Environmental impact"

UNH's Construction Guidelines specify the use of environmentally-preferable materials in all construction and renovation projects. This includes building materials, furnishings, lighting and HVAC systems, appliances, etc. See https://www.unh.edu/facilities/unh-planning-design-and-construction-guidelines In addition, all bids for specific projects enumerate relevant sustainability criteria, and include the UNH Sustainability Statement indicated above.

All IT bids include the UNH Sustainability Statement. In addition, they enumerate specific criteria depending on the product type. For example, in the July 2017 bid for computer purchases for the UNH computer store, the following language is included: "Energy Efficient Program All desktops, laptops, and computer monitors provided under this contract are required to have achieved Bronze registration or higher in the EPEAT system in the United States of America. USNH prefers products that have achieved EPEAT Silver or better. If applicable, bidders should describe their energy efficient program(s). Bidders must identify any products that are not EPEAT-registered. In addition, describe how equipment is identified as energy efficient on the units and on the web site. Reporting The University will request quarterly reports (in Excel format) from the Firm on an ongoing basis. These include but are not limited to the following: Purchases Detail on all University orders including returns and credits. Include the following columns: § University or Personal purchase § Campus making the purchase § Customer name (ordering department name) § Customer address § University purchase order number § Date order was placed § Order Number § Invoice Number § Invoice Date § Date the order has been paid § Line description § Whether the product ordered is a University standard configuration § EPEAT Registration Status § Net sales (gross sales minus returns)" To see the entire RFP, visit http://www.unh.edu/purchasing/bid-docs.html

In kitchens, we require energy and water-efficient equipment purchasing. In our new Zero-Waste football stadium, opened in Fall 2016, and at other concessions locations across campus we require all serving-ware to be compostable or recyclable. Below is the dining-specific Sustainability Statement that we include in all of our Food Service related RFP's: "Sustainability Statement USNH strives to conduct business in a sustainable and energy efficient manner. This is an effort to balance economic priorities with environmental health and human health. USNH will, when economically feasible, do business with companies that can further our sustainable objectives. We are interested in receiving environmental mission statements or information about any programs or policies that have to do with sustainable issues. These programs or policies can be, but are not limited to, buying locally grown or produced products, organic and all-natural products, reducing, reusing and recycling resources, disposal of organic and other solid waste, conservation efforts in regards to transportation, energy and water, reduced packaging, “green” cleaning, disposal of hazardous waste, and/or giving back to the community. USNH also prefers to purchase items with Energy Star™ ratings. If applicable, please include as part of your proposal, pertinent information in reference to any sustainable and/or energy efficient practices and products offered by your Firm."

Our architecture and engineering firms are required to be well-versed in LEED certification and prepared to comply with green building practices. They are required to abide by, and include in their project management plans and practices, the tenets of the UNH Construction Guidelines which integrate sustainability and require all building projects to be LEED Silver equivalent or better. Also, our investment managers are required to be well-versed in ESG investing, per the policy adopted by the UNH Foundation Asset allocation committee, which states that "...the Committee will incorporate analysis of the environmental, social and governance characteristics of the prospective investment managers as a component of manager selection and monitoring process."

All capital procurement of fleet vehicles requires models that are the most energy- and emissions-efficient vehicle available for the vehicle type being procured. See https://www.unh.edu/facilities/ecocat-vehicle-selection-calculator

Again, these are subject to the criteria specified in the UNH Sustainability Statement. Below is the criteria for recycled paper requirements from the most recent RFP issued by USNH for paper procurement: Recycled Paper Requirements USNH uses 100%; 50% and 30% Postconsumer Recycled, Process Chlorine Free, white bond office paper for System-wide use in copiers, inkjet & laser printers, and fax machines. There are also occasions where non-recycled (virgin) copy paper is required. Total approximate annual 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper usage at all locations is 8282 cases. However, each location’s individual usage and participation may vary. The figures provided are estimates based upon USNH’s Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) usage and are provided as an estimate only. USNH cannot guarantee the exclusivity or quantity of future paper purchases. 2.1.1 100%; 50% and 30% Postconsumer (white) 2.1.1.1 Process chlorine free 2.1.1.2 Basis weight: 20# 2.1.1.3 Brightness: 85 or better 2.1.1.4 Size: 8 1/2 x 11 2.1.1.5 Sheets per case/carton: 5000 2.1.1.6 Specification sheets for each paper must be included with bid 2.1.1.7 Colored paper only must contain a minimum of 30% postconsumer recycled content.