| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.21 |
| Liaison | Julie Hopper |
| Submission Date | July 29, 2021 |
University of Southern California
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 3.00 |
Elias
Platte-Bermeo Sustainability Program Assistant Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Directive in the form of a new Office of Business Diversity and Economic Opportunity.
Website: https://communities.usc.edu/office-of-business-diversity-and-economic-opportunity-bdeo/
Website: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/
Supplier Diversity Services
The Department of Supplier Diversity Services works in tandem with Procurement Services to provide maximum procurement opportunities for Diverse Suppliers. The Department of Supplier Diversity Services is also a resource to academic and research units that have federally or state funded sponsored projects and need to develop goals to use Diverse Suppliers for research and service proposals (read below).
USC’s Goal to Procure with Diverse Suppliers
The university aspires to have 15% of all procurements made through Diverse Suppliers, regardless of source of funds. For the purposes of contributing to the university’s 15% overall goal, ‘Diverse Suppliers’ are defined as those that self-classify themselves on the Procurement Services’ Supplier Application Form as being one of the classifications that contributes to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal.
A list of the self-certified classifications that contribute to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal can be found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/
USC’s Goal to Procure with Small, Local Suppliers
Use of small suppliers who are located within the 26 ZIP codes surrounding the University Park, Health Sciences, Alhambra and Marina del Rey campuses also contribute to the university’s Diverse Supplier goal of 15%. This small and local business classification is regardless of owner ethnicity or gender.
A list of the ZIP codes that contribute to USC’s 15% Diverse Supplier usage goal can be found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/
Federally Sponsored Project Account Goals
In order for the university’s federally-sponsored contracts to receive credit for using a Diverse Supplier, the supplier must qualify as one of the ownership classifications found here: https://businessservices.usc.edu/for-suppliers/supplier-diversity/.
The more stringently classified businesses also contribute to the university’s 15% goal (but not vice versa).
State Sponsored Project Account Goals
The only Diverse Supplier classification that contributes to state-funded, sponsored project goals is the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (CDVBE) classification. In order for the university’s state-funded sponsored accounts to receive credit for using a CDVBE, the business must provide a certificate from the state of California to Supplier Diversity Services.
Misrepresentation
Any person who misrepresents a firm’s status in order to obtain a contract at the university may be punished by imposition of fine, imprisonment, or both, subject to administrative remedies, including suspension and debarment, and be ineligible for future contracts.
Research Proposals and Contracts
Supplier Diversity Services assists academic and research units in developing Diverse Supplier goals for federal, state, and local funded research and service contracts at or above $500,000. Specifically, Supplier Diversity Services is responsible for developing Diverse Supplier government subcontract plans in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FARs) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFARs). Once a contract has been awarded, Supplier Diversity Services is responsible for monitoring and reporting contract compliance of Diverse Supplier goals, preparing “Good Faith Effort” proposals, and submitting quarterly and semi-annual reports on the status of Diverse Supplier goal compliance to appropriate government agencies.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
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 service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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:
Additional information:
Buying Green: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/buying-green/
Green Certifications: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/green-certifications/
Sustainable Procurement Initiatives: https://green.usc.edu/programs/procurement/
Additional information:
Buying Green: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/buying-green/
Green Certifications: https://procurement.usc.edu/purchases/green-certifications/
Sustainable Procurement Initiatives: https://green.usc.edu/programs/procurement/
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.