Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 27.31
Liaison Adam Strzemienski
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2019

STARS v2.2

University of North Georgia
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 3.00
"---" 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 multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
No

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
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Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
No

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

Our Food Service uses green cleaning products and 3 out of our 5 campuses uses chemical free cleaning on most of their surfaces.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:

Most technology is energy star certified however we do not have an established policy requiring this.


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:

From Food Service Contract:

5. Sustainability Statement:

5.1  The University of North Georgia (UNG) is committed to providing dining services which:

Source and procure sustainably with an emphasis on local foods

Reduce, reuse and recycle wastes

Conserve energy

Maintain transparent and traceable supply chains

Support safe and fair working conditions for all individuals that are a part of the food system.

Ensure healthy, humane animal treatment

Promote practices that reduce use of pesticides and harmful chemicals, conserve soil and water, and enhance wildlife conservation.

Guarantee food product integrity

Inform patrons on the sourcing, nutrition, seasonality, environmental sustainability and other qualities of foods served

Utilize green cleaning products to the extent feasible

Ensure continual improvement of practices

5.2  Top Recommendations:

Goal to reach 15% local and sustainable foods by 2025, with continued incremental growth thereafter. “Local” to be defined within a 250-mile radius. May require additional third party certifications and a Tiered approach, which outlines the preferred foods within each category.

Gluten free and vegetarian offerings at every meal (designated by sign and/or location). Including designated area of grills (other shared cooking spaces) to insure no cross contamination of foods.

Emphasis on plant based foods – to reduce global impacts and improve nutrition. Would include a limited processing and preservatives goal.

Emphasis on seasonality - Emphasize foods that are in the peak of their seasons to educate on how the seasonality of foods affects nutrition and environmental impacts (especially transportation costs). As local foods are purchased this should increase favorable pricing due to seasonal abundances. Local food hubs may be able to help with frozen foods to extend availability.

Emphasis on world cuisines – to reflect the increasingly international character of our student body and other food cultures.

Develop SOPs – Standard Operating Procedures – that highlight local and sustainable foods and prepare them in a way that insures their quality. Part of these SOPs can include an educational component, including signage that indicates certain sustainability goals. These SOPs are designed to enhance the culinary team’s passion for local, fresh and healthy foods while engaging patrons in a better understanding of food qualities and sources.

Recycling cardboard boxes, packaging and metal cans.

UNG currently utilizes a reusable to-go container, which is purchased one time by customers and would prefer to continue.


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:
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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:

1.3.3. Tier 3 - Statutory Sources Designated as Mandatory
Certain products and services which have been certified as mandatory in accordance with the following subsections represent Tier 3 of the Order of Precedence. Specifically, state entities are required by statute to purchase certain products and services from Georgia Correctional Industries Administration (GCI) and Georgia Enterprises for Products and Services (GEPS)where the products/services being purchased have been certified in writing as further described in Section 1.3.3.1. - Georgia Correctional Industries Administration and Section 1.3.3.2. - Georgia Enterprises for Products and Services. In the event both GCI and GEPS offer certified products/services capable of meeting the state entity’s needs, the state entity has its choice of either source.
1.3.3.2. Georgia Enterprises for Products and Services
The State Use Law set forth at (O.C.G.A.) 50-5-135 et seq. is intended to create opportunities for disabled persons employed by community-based rehabilitation programs and training centers that are certified by the State Use Council. In order to effectuate the purposes of the State Use Law, SPD and the State Use Council have agreed that, unless specifically identified as a "preferred source" by SPD and the State Use Council, the goods and services identified on the State Use Procurement List are mandatory sources and that state entities are required to purchase such items at the prices stated pursuant to (O.C.G.A.) Section 50-5-136(b)(2). Only goods and services identified as mandatory are considered to be in Tier 3 of the Order of Precedence. A copy of the current State Use Procurement List showing both mandatory and preferred sources provided by GEPS , which may be amended from time to time, can be found on SPD’s website.
3.5.1.6. Georgia Resident Business, Small Business, or Georgia Resident Small Business
Where deemed appropriate by the Issuing Officer, based on relevant considerations including market research and funding source, solicitations should include statements encouraging Georgia Resident Business, Small Business, or Georgia Resident Small Business participation, specify the use of an additional scored question, and completion of SPD-SP013 Georgia Resident and Small Business Verification Form, as applicable, to receive not more than 5% of the total available points.
I.3.5.1. Minority Businesses
In an effort to assist minority-owned businesses, Georgia law permits an income tax adjustment on the state tax return of any company that subcontracts with a certified minority-owned firm to furnish goods, property or services to the state of Georgia (O.C.G.A. ) Section 48-7-38. Suppliers should consult with their tax advisors to find out how to take advantage of these tax credits.
3.5.5.1.6. Price Matching Requirements
The RFQ should specify whether a price matching option will be available for Georgia Resident, Small Businesses, or Georgia Resident Small Businesses and any conditions under which it will be available. The ability to price match will only be granted to responsive and responsible bidders that are within 5% up to $10,000 of the lowest responsive and responsible bid. The indication by the supplier that the supplier will price match does not constitute further negotiation of pricing.


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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.