| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.83 |
| Liaison | Parker Long |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Commonwealth University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 3.00 |
Joseph
Costa Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
As a state-institution, VCU must follow all state purchasing policies, including Small Business and Supplier Diversity agency's policy below:
The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) is a state agency dedicated to enhancing the participation of small, women- and minority-owned businesses in Virginia’s procurement process. The agency administers the Small, Women- and Minority-owned Businesses program under Virginia’s SWaM Procurement Initiative.
https://procurement.vcu.edu/our-services/supplier-diversity--swam/
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 (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Requirements for General Purchases
Energy Star-rated appliances and equipment must be purchased (or leased) when an Energy Star designation is available.
All new copiers, faxes, printers, and other such office equipment purchased or leased must be compatible with recycled paper.
Recycled paper must be purchased.
Purchases of individual serving-sized plastic containers of water are permitted as follows:
distribution to/consumption by employees (requires use of local funds, except in the case of emergencies or for safety and/or health reasons, in which case state or local funds may be used)
as part of business meals or catered events (state or local funds)
for information sessions, training sessions, or other events involving prospective students, students, or non-employees (state or local funds)
intensive/substantive training sessions involving only employees (state or local funds)
information sessions or other events involving employees only (local funds)
When selecting sites within the Commonwealth for conferences and meetings (excluding State facilities) which will be attended by fewer than 50 people, departments should strive to use "Virginia Green" certified facilities.
When selecting sites within the Commonwealth for conferences and meetings (excluding State facilities) which will be attended by 50 or more people (excluding State facilities), only "Virginia Green" certified facilities shall be used unless permission to select a different site has been approved by University Purchasing.
VCU Purchasing policy states:
- Energy Star-rated appliances and equipment must be purchased (or leased) when an Energy Star designation is available.
- All new copiers, faxes, printers, and other such office equipment purchased or leased must be compatible with recycled paper.
- Recycled paper must be purchased. (30% minimum)
https://procurement.vcu.edu/our-services/university-purchasing/sustainability/
All of our buildings are mandated to be cleaned with Green Cleaning products, processes and equipment (per contract language) at 90%. We allow 10% cushion for those projects that may require use of a chemical that is not classified as Green Seal or Environmental Choice (for example, we have to remove numerous layers of wax from a new property acquisition, or a specific flooring manufacturer mandates a specific chemical to clean/maintain it, or we have an especially dirty grout in a restroom that requires more intensive cleaning.). We monitor the usage and we have to give special contract approval to deviate from the Green Cleaning chemicals. We are maintaining our requirements for Green Cleaning at 90% (contract language).
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
All construction and renovation at VCU is done to LEED Silver standards.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
When available, VCU procurement, and individual departments are required to buy EPEAT Silver.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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 services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
A minimum of 30% recycled content paper must be purchased.
https://procurement.vcu.edu/our-services/university-purchasing/sustainability/
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.