Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 68.36
Liaison Marianella Franklin
Submission Date Jan. 10, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Alex Valdez
Dir of Procurement Management
Procurement Management
"---" 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?:
Yes

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

As per Sec. 12 (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Practices) of UT System policy UTS169 (Sustainability Practices), Approved in 2009 and last amended in 2021 :

Institutions will encourage suppliers to demonstrate environmental stewardship. Within the parameters of reasonable business justification and applicable laws and regulations, each institution will (a) utilize its purchasing power to advance the development of sustainable technologies; (b) evaluate the total cost of ownership, including purchase prices, operating costs, maintenance, collection, recycling, and disposal; and (c) encourage environmentally preferable practices when selecting suppliers.

Site: https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/policy-library/policies/uts-169-sustainability-practices


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:

When the expected value of the goods or services exceeds $50,000, a formal solicitation process is required. The following guidelines apply to the Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation method:

Request for Proposal (RFP) is the solicitation method used when factors (best value criteria) other than price and delivery are considered in deciding which proposer should be awarded the contract.

When best value criteria are used to score proposals, the criteria and the weighting are clearly identified in the RFP. The evaluation criteria and weighting must be approved by the director of procurement and payment services before the RFP can be publicly posted. Best value criteria can be utilized and may include but are not limited to:

-installation costs
-life cycle costs
-quality and reliability of the goods and services
-delivery terms
-indicators of probable supplier performance under the contract, such as past supplier performance, the supplier’s financial resources and ability to perform, the supplier’s experience and demonstrated capability and responsibility, and the supplier’s ability to provide reliable maintenance agreements and support cost of any employee training associated with a purchase
effect of a purchase on agency productivity.
-other factors relevant to determining the best value for the university in the context of a particular purchase.

RFP opportunities are sent to known suppliers who provide the good or service. An RFP opportunity is also publically posted on the BidWeb website and on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) website so that any supplier may submit a response. Terms and conditions that govern the contract are contained within the RFP. Proposers can note exceptions to certain terms and conditions. However, the university may disqualify a proposer for not accepting the posted terms.

Site: https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/contracts-and-procurement/153-request-proposal-rfp


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:

All equipment, environmental, and working surfaces shall be periodically
decontaminated with an appropriate, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered anti-microbial product

https://www.utrgv.edu/ehsrm/_files/documents/lab-safety/bloodborne-pathogen-control-plan.pdf


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:

Under the Sustainability Campus Action Plan, sustainable procurement recommendations can be found throughout the document. Some of the markers will be found below

https://www.utrgv.edu/sustainability/_files/documents/reports/campus-sustainability-report/scap-report-23-2.pdf

- Promote usage of 100% recycled packaging content of food containers by Sodexo
- Recommend departments through annual trainings to purchase tree-free paper, paper at 30% or higher recyclable content, and reusable batteries
- Facilitate and encourage departments to purchase goods and services from vendors that are “green” or sustainable (i.e. toilet paper, printing paper, computer monitors, carpet, acoustical ceiling tiles, photo copiers, some
furniture, etc.
(Campus currently recycles office paper, cardboard, printer cartridges and scrap metal.)
- Research and produce a “Green Guide” for travel related to university business (i.e., video conferencing, green hotel, carpool, etc.).
- Identify and list sustainable vendors and make it available to the departments.

Rule 20901: Procurement of Goods and Services; Contract Management Handbook establishes policies required by state law concerning the acquisition of certain goods and services.

Sec. 6 Acquisition of Stationery, Printing, and Fuel. Each institution and System Administration may acquire goods and services covered by Texas Constitution, Article XVI, Section 21 (including but not limited to stationery, printing, and fuel) from institutional departments or purchase the goods and services from external sources. If the goods or services are purchased from external sources, the goods and services shall be purchased as follows:

6.1 using the method that provides the best value to the institution or System Administration including competitive bidding, competitive sealed proposals, a catalog purchase, a group purchase program, or an open market contract; and 6.2 in accordance with (a) the requirements of Texas Education Code Sections 51.9335, 73.115, or 74.008, as applicable, (b) the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, (c) the U. T. System Administration policies, and (d) the policies and procedures of the institution or System Administration.

Source: https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/20901-procurement-of-goods-and-services-contract-management-handbook

Texas Constitution, Article XVI, Section 21

PUBLIC PRINTING AND BINDING; REPAIRS AND FURNISHINGS; CONTRACTS. All stationery, printing, fuel used in the legislature and departments of the government other than the judicial department, printing and binding of the laws, journals, and department reports, and all other printing and binding and the repairing and furnishing of the halls and rooms used during meetings of the legislature and in committees, except proclamations and such products and services as may be done by handicapped individuals employed in non profit rehabilitation facilities providing sheltered employment to the handicapped in Texas, shall be performed under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder, below such maximum price and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law. No member or officer of any department of the government shall in any way have a financial interest in such contracts, and all such contracts or programs involving the state use of the products and services of handicapped individuals shall be subject to such requirements as might be established by the legislature.

Site: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.16.htm#16.21


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:

Under the UTRGV Master Plan & Sustainability Campus Action Plan, sustainable procurement recommendations can be found throughout the documents. Some of the markers will be found below

https://www.utrgv.edu/sustainability/_files/documents/reports/campus-sustainability-report/scap-report-23-2.pdf

- Facilitate and encourage departments to purchase goods and services from vendors that are “green” or sustainable (i.e. toilet paper, printing paper, computer monitors, carpet, acoustical ceiling tiles, photo copiers, some
furniture, etc.
- Purchasing of goods with Eco-labeling that supports fair trade, sustainably sourced material, etc.

https://www.utrgv.edu/facilities-planning-and-operations/_files/utrgv%20campus%20master%20plan1.pdf

U.T. System Reagent's Rule 80401: Prevailing Wage Rates
Sec. 1 Use of Wage Surveys.

Pursuant to state law construction contracts are required to incorporate prevailing wage rates established for each county of each campus based on geographic location. The basis for establishing the wage rates shall be in compliance with state law. The Board of Regents authorizes periodic surveys to be performed to update wage rate data.

Furthermore, the U. T. System commits to a good faith effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) firms consistent with the state's goals for HUB participation and overall economic development. UTRGV makes a good faith effort to meet or exceed annual goals for HUB participation in purchases of and contracts for commodities and services.

Site: https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/80401-prevailing-wage-rates


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:

UTRGV offers a database of laptop and desktop computers that are pre-approved to meet certain specifications regarding the computer’s RAM, processing abilities, etc. via iShop UTRGV. All desktops and laptops purchased through iShop must meet EPEAT Gold or Silver standard.
iShop empowers the university community with the knowledge to make informed procurement decisions with enhanced reporting and tracking capabilities. This paperless marketplace will enhance our purchasing and processing capabilities, reduce costs and improve productivity.


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:

UTRGV's current RFP for a new food vendors reflects the commitment of UTRGV with sustainable dining options with criteria including, but not limited to:

1.2.17. Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability initiatives are reported by University on a periodic basis. Sustainability goals for Food Service are: Teach students how to manage food consumption habits with educational materials. Reduce waste (food, plastic, paper, cardboard, and oil) from current levels through implementation of recycling programs and composting. Implement sustainability into purchasing policies of Dining Services by supporting companies who practice sustainability.

Food Service strategies that have (or intend to) implement include:
a. “Weigh the Waste” program – food waste is discarded and collected in a receptacle, weighed, and tracked weekly on a graph chart. The chart is posted in the resident dining hall. Depicts progress in reducing waste, water, and chemicals.
b. Eliminated use of serving trays from Dining Hall
c. Eliminated use of plastic bags in the Student Union and Dining Hall
d. Offer reusable food containers from Dining Hall for To-Go program.
e. Offer reusable coffee mugs
f. Use food containers made of 100% recycled package content
g. Implement cardboard compactor and increase usage annually
h. Use a 3rd party vendor to reuse/recycle used oil
i. Use manufacturing companies who use environmentally friendly practices and chemicals.
j. Sourcing local. Purchase products from suppliers within 150-mile radius
k. Promote all food service sustainability initiatives
l. Report on Food Service strategies on an annual basis. Establish benchmarks and goals to gauge level of improvement and progress.
m. Articulate clean goals for spending at least 10% of food on fresh and minimally processed foods grown in Texas, with a particular emphasis on the foods from the Rio Grande Valley (statewide leader in the production of fruits, vegetables, grains, and sugar).
n. Make a good faith effort to work with organizations such The Common Market that connects food service operators with food grown by sustainable family farmers.

The U. T. System commits to a good faith effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) firms consistent with the state's goals for HUB participation and overall economic development. UTRGV makes a good faith effort to meet or exceed annual goals for HUB participation in purchases of and contracts for commodities and services.

Site: https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/20701-use-historically-underutilized-businesses


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:

The U. T. System commits to a good faith effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) firms consistent with the state's goals for HUB participation and overall economic development. UTRGV makes a good faith effort to meet or exceed annual goals for HUB participation in purchases of and contracts for commodities and services.

Site: https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/20701-use-historically-underutilized-businesses


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:

The State of Texas has established six specific categories of business along with individual adjusted HUB goals for each category (see chart below). After the State of Texas 2009 Disparity Study, certain groups of underutilized businesses are defined within each of the six categories. The Statewide Procurement Division of the Texas State Comptroller’s Office has adopted rules which set reporting and usage goals for underutilized groups.

The statewide HUB goals for the procurement categories for the State of Texas are:

11.2% for heavy construction other than building contracts;
21.1% for all building construction, including general contractors and operative builders' contracts;
32.9% for all special trade construction contracts;
23.7% for professional services contracts;
26.0% for all other services contracts; and
21.1% for commodities contracts.

https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/

UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures Section: ADM 10-412- PURCHASES FROM HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES (HUBs)

UTRGV commits to a Good Faith Effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) consistent with state goals for HUB participation and overall economic development. UTRGV shall comply with the requirements of The University of Texas System Policy UTS137 - Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.
The President of the institution is responsible for implementation of the HUB program. The president shall develop the institutional strategic and action plans necessary for effective implementation of the HUB program. UTRGV shall make a good faith effort to meet or exceed annual goals for HUB participation in purchases of and contracts for commodities and services.

Site: https://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/adm-10-412.pdf


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:

From the UTRGV SCAP:

- The promotion of purchasing energy-efficient or alternative hybrid vehicles, electric powered Cushman/Mule and pedal powered vehicles wherever feasible for on-campus travel.

Rule 20901: Procurement of Goods and Services; Contract Management Handbook establishes policies required by state law concerning the acquisition of certain goods and services.

Sec. 6 Acquisition of Stationery, Printing, and Fuel.
Each institution and System Administration may acquire goods and services covered by Texas Constitution, Article XVI, Section 21 (including but not limited to stationery, printing, and fuel) from institutional departments or purchase the goods and services from external sources. If the goods or services are purchased from external sources, the goods and services shall be purchased as follows:

6.1 using the method that provides the best value to the institution or System Administration including competitive bidding, competitive sealed proposals, a catalog purchase, a group purchase program, or an open market contract; and

6.2 in accordance with (a) the requirements of Texas Education Code Sections 51.9335, 73.115, or 74.008, as applicable, (b) the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, (c) the U. T. System Administration policies, and (d) the policies and procedures of the institution or System Administration.

Source: https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules/20901-procurement-goods-and-services-contract-management-handbook

Texas Constitution, Article XVI, Section 21

PUBLIC PRINTING AND BINDING; REPAIRS AND FURNISHINGS; CONTRACTS. All stationery, printing, fuel used in the legislature and departments of the government other than the judicial department, printing and binding of the laws, journals, and department reports, and all other printing and binding and the repairing and furnishing of the halls and rooms used during meetings of the legislature and in committees, except proclamations and such products and services as may be done by handicapped individuals employed in non profit rehabilitation facilities providing sheltered employment to the handicapped in Texas, shall be performed under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder, below such maximum price and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law. No member or officer of any department of the government shall in any way have a financial interest in such contracts, and all such contracts or programs involving the state use of the products and services of handicapped individuals shall be subject to such requirements as might be established by the legislature.

Site: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.16.htm#16.21


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:

Definitions

Historically Underutilized Business – a business enterprise, with its principal place of business in Texas, which is formed for the purpose of making a profit, and meets one of the following categories:

A corporation in which at least 51% of all classes of shares of stock or other equitable securities are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantaged group.

A sole proprietorship that is 100% owned by a person from an economically disadvantaged group.

A partnership in which at least 51% of the assets and interests in the partnership are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantaged group.

A joint venture in which each entity in the joint venture is a historically underutilized business.

A supplier contract between a historically underutilized business and a prime contractor under which the historically underutilized business is directly involved in the manufacture or distribution of the supplies or materials or otherwise warehouses and ships the supplies.

A business other than described in the bullets above, which is a legally recognized business organization under the laws of the State of Texas, provided that at least 51% of the assets and interest and 51% of any classes of stock and equitable securities are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantage group.

Economically Disadvantaged Group – include the following:

Black Americans – includes persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
Hispanic Americans – includes persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South Americans, or other Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin.

Asian Pacific Americans – includes persons whose origins are in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, and the Northern Marianas, and Subcontinent Asian Americans which includes persons whose origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.

Native Americans – includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians.

American Women – includes all women of any ethnicity except American women specified in the bullets immediately above.

Commodities – materials, supplies, or equipment.

Professional Services – services procured under provisions of the Texas Government Code Sections 2254.001 – 2254.005.

Other Services – all services, other than construction and professional services, including consulting services procured under provisions of Texas Government Code Sections 2254.021 – 2254.040.

Construction – construction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of buildings, roads, highways, or grounds.


Definitions

Historically Underutilized Business – a business enterprise, with its principal place of business in Texas, which is formed for the purpose of making a profit, and meets one of the following categories:

A corporation in which at least 51% of all classes of shares of stock or other equitable securities are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantaged group.

A sole proprietorship that is 100% owned by a person from an economically disadvantaged group.

A partnership in which at least 51% of the assets and interests in the partnership are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantaged group.

A joint venture in which each entity in the joint venture is a historically underutilized business.

A supplier contract between a historically underutilized business and a prime contractor under which the historically underutilized business is directly involved in the manufacture or distribution of the supplies or materials or otherwise warehouses and ships the supplies.

A business other than described in the bullets above, which is a legally recognized business organization under the laws of the State of Texas, provided that at least 51% of the assets and interest and 51% of any classes of stock and equitable securities are owned by one or more persons from an economically disadvantage group.

Economically Disadvantaged Group – include the following:

Black Americans – includes persons having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
Hispanic Americans – includes persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South Americans, or other Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin.

Asian Pacific Americans – includes persons whose origins are in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific, and the Northern Marianas, and Subcontinent Asian Americans which includes persons whose origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.

Native Americans – includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians.

American Women – includes all women of any ethnicity except American women specified in the bullets immediately above.

Commodities – materials, supplies, or equipment.

Professional Services – services procured under provisions of the Texas Government Code Sections 2254.001 – 2254.005.

Other Services – all services, other than construction and professional services, including consulting services procured under provisions of Texas Government Code Sections 2254.021 – 2254.040.

Construction – construction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of buildings, roads, highways, or grounds.

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.