Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 60.76
Liaison Brad Spanbauer
Submission Date March 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 3.00 Brad Spanbauer
Campus Sustainability Officer
Campus Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

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:
---

The policies, guidelines or directives:
Standard PO Terms for State of Wisconsin: RECYCLED MATERIALS: The State of Wisconsin is required to purchase products incorporating recycled materials whenever technically and economically feasible. Bidders are encouraged to bid products with recycled content which meet specifications. We are bound to state procurement guidelines, which emphasize the use of some "green" and "recycled" goods as defined in the State Procurement Manual:
https://doa.wi.gov/ProcurementManual/Documents/PRO-209.pdf

See PRO-606 of DOA Procurement Administrative Policy, as well as Wisconsin Diversity Program http://doa.wi.gov/Divisions/Enterprise-Operations/Supplier-Diversity-Program.

Vendor Code of Conduct: See Pro-403 of DOA Procurement Policy

All institutions adhere to the DOA Procurement Manual (manual) and UW System Procurement Policies. This manual outlines state procurement policy on recycling, and supplier diversity. The supplier diversity program is intended to, “engage, encourage, and remove undue impediments, to promote participation of diverse suppliers in state purchasing.” This program includes guidelines for doing business with minority, women, and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Campus will, where possible, purchase sustainably preferable products consistent with the campus commitment to sustainability.

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

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:
In making a sustainable purchasing decision, the entire life
cycle costs (financial, environmental, and social) of the product are taken
into consideration. The life cycle takes into account extraction, production, manufacturing, distribution, operation, maintenance and disposal. Many “green” products are competitively priced with their conventional counterparts, are of comparable quality, and have one or more of the following attributes:

• High Content from Post-Consumer Recycled Materials
• Low Embodied Energy (consumed to extract, manufacture, distribute and dispose)
• Recyclable
• Non-toxic
• Energy Efficient
• Durable and/or Repairable
• Produced in an Environmentally- and Socially-Sustainable Manner

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh includes language in the applicable Request for Bids for evaluating bids using Life Cycle Cost as list below.
Life Cycle Cost formulas (will) (may) [AGENT: CHOOSE ONE] be used in evaluation for bid awards which may include, but are not limited to: the applicable costs of energy efficiency, acquisition and conversions, interest charged, transportation, warranties, maintenance fees, licenses, disposal or any other costs not directly related to the bid.

Energy Star:
The State encourages the use of equipment which meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star™ requirements. The Energy Star Program is a voluntary contract between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the EPA. It is not mandatory that every device offered under this bid meet Energy Star requirements but the bulk of the product line should be energy efficient. Bidder should identify those items which meet the Energy Star requirements on the Bidder Response Sheet.

http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod19.pdf - Section C refers to State code on life cycle cost analysis.

Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically intensive products and services

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:
State Procurement Manual-Use of Products Containing Phosphorus (http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod14.pdf) and VendorNet-Cleaning Chemicals (https://vendornet.wi.gov/Contract.aspx?Id=f40f7b48-212a-e611-8964-40a8f0ad9999)
Environmentally Responsible (“Green”) Product:
Contractors are encouraged to identify products that are made of recycled products, that use environmentally friendly production methods, or that can be recycled at the end of their service life. The UW will make every effort to purchase “Green” products wherever feasible or possible based on individual project needs and funding available.

Consumable office products

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:
Campus is committed to buying paper from 100% recycled sources when possible and for 30% minimum recycled content when necessary.

From State procurement manual:
6.18 Environmentally Responsible (“Green”) Product:
Contractors are encouraged to identify products that are made of recycled products, that use environmentally friendly production methods, or that can be recycled at the end of their service life. The UW will make every effort to purchase “Green” products wherever feasible or possible based on individual project needs and funding available.

Specifications for the following priority categories were reviewed and revised by January 1, 1991.
a. Paper and paper products;
b. Plastic and plastic products;
c. Glass and glass products;
d. Motor oil and lubricants;
e. Construction materials, including insulating materials;
f. Furnishings, including rugs, carpet, and furniture; and
g. Highway equipment, including signs, signposts, reflectors, guardrails, lane dividers, and barricades.

Our campus is required to purchase office supplies from Staples due to a mandatory DOA contract. Products are marked on the website if they are made with recycled products.

http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod19.pdf

Furniture and furnishings

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:
6.18 Environmentally Responsible (“Green”) Product:
Contractors are encouraged to identify products that are made of recycled products, that use environmentally friendly production methods, or that can be recycled at the end of their service life. The UW will make every effort to purchase “Green” products wherever feasible or possible based on individual project needs and funding available.

Energy Star:
The State encourages the use of equipment which meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star™ requirements. The Energy Star Program is a voluntary contract between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the EPA. It is not mandatory that every device offered under this bid meet Energy Star requirements but the bulk of the product line should be energy efficient. Bidder should identify those items which meet the Energy Star requirements on the Bidder Response Sheet.

Specifications for the following priority categories were reviewed and revised by January 1, 1991.
a. Paper and paper products;
b. Plastic and plastic products;
c. Glass and glass products;
d. Motor oil and lubricants;
e. Construction materials, including insulating materials;
f. Furnishings, including rugs, carpet, and furniture; and
g. Highway equipment, including signs, signposts, reflectors, guardrails, lane dividers, and barricades.

http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod19.pdf

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

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:
We consider the environmental impact of our technology purchases and choose computers and printers which meet at least Bronze-level registration, with a preference for Silver- or Gold-level registration under the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).

From State procurement manual:
2.12 Energy Star:
The State encourages the use of equipment which meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star™ requirements. The Energy Star Program is a voluntary contract between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the EPA. It is not mandatory that every device offered under this bid meet Energy Star requirements but the bulk of the product line should be energy efficient. Bidder should identify those items which meet the Energy Star requirements on the Bidder Response Sheet.

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
No

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

Garments and linens 

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:
---

Professional service providers

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:
Department of Administration-Supplier Diversity Policy & Reporting: https://doa.wi.gov/ProcurementManual/Pages/PRO-606.aspx

State Procurement Manual-Minority Business Enterprise (MBE): http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod1.pdf
Statutes provide that agencies “shall attempt to ensure that 5% of the total amount expended ... in each fiscal year is paid to minority businesses.” In addition, state law allows
agencies to apply a price preference of up to 5% on behalf of certified MBEs. The MBE goal and preference apply only to minority businesses certified by the Department of Administration Supplier Diversity Program.

State Procurement Manual-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVB): http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod35.pdf
Statutes provide that agencies “shall attempt to ensure that 1% of the total amount expended ... in each fiscal year is paid to disabled veteran-owned businesses.” In addition,
state law allows agencies to apply a price preference of up to 5% on behalf of certified DVBs. The DVB goal and preference apply only to disabled veteran-owned businesses certified by the Department of Administration Supplier Diversity Program.

State Procurement Manual-Small Business:

http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/procman/prod9.pdf
"Small business" means a business which has had less than $1.5 million in gross annual sales in the most recent calendar or fiscal year. In general, minority businesses are considered to be small businesses. The State Bureau of Procurement encourages the participation of small businesses in the statewide purchasing program by inviting small businesses to actively solicit public purchasing business and by reducing undue impediments to such participation.

Transportation and fuels

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:
---

Optional Fields 

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:
Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cObuATlhdcZJYxoek65kRfBIpt836O-3wWmLp5atBb8/edit#gid=0

General Shared Information for OP-11: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m21HFsXYGA593feh2_fb9wn5OpE81YLoh6V4HmXFFx0/edit#heading=h.h0j72sqg57f2

Part 1. We are bound to state procurement guidelines, which emphasize the use of some "green" and "recycled" goods as defined in the State Procurement Manual:
https://doa.wi.gov/ProcurementManual/Documents/PRO-209.pdf
All institutions adhere to the DOA Procurement Manual (manual) and UW System Procurement Policies. This manual outlines state procurement policy on recycling, and supplier diversity. The supplier diversity program is intended to, “engage, encourage, and remove undue impediments, to promote participation of diverse suppliers in state purchasing.” This program includes guidelines for doing business with minority, women, and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Part 2.
All institutions employ LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others. More information can be found in the Sustainability in Procurement Policy. https://doa.wi.gov/ProcurementManual/Documents/PRO-209.pdf

Part 3.

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.