Virginia Tech
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

• University Policy 5505 overviews (1) Efficiency and Conservation (2) Buildings and Construction (3) Waste Reduction (4) Energy and Sustainability Committee http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf • University Annual SWaM Utilization Plan (Small, Woman Owned and Minority Owned Businesses) (uploaded)

Virginia Tech does employ LCCA for certain types of systems of products including lighting, air conditioning, pumps and motors. See the following policies to support the use of LCCA: o Campus Energy, Waste and Waste Reduction Policy 5505, Revision 3, August 2016, as a reference. http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf o Five Year Energy Action Plan: https://www.facilities.vt.edu/energy-utilities/energy-reduction-efforts/five-year-energy-action-plan.html o On-Going Energy Projects: https://www.facilities.vt.edu/energy-utilities/energy-reduction-efforts/demand-side-management.html

Housekeeping Services is primarily outsourced on campus. (Contract, Page 12-17) As part of the services contract for building maintenance, the following guidelines are as follows, “The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, materials and equipment including consumables for the performance of the work as described herein. All products and equipment will be "green" certified through a certifying agency such as (but not limited to): Green Seal Inc., Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Choice, and Carpet and Rug Institute.”

• Energy Efficiency (page 7, Standards): “The University is committed to the principles of energy conservation. All designs shall strive to maximize energy efficiency , and comply with the energy conservation”. • Sustainability (page 8, Standards): “In order to incorporate sustainable design solutions in new construction and renovation projects, Virginia Tech has joined the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and fully supports the principles of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Building Rating System. The pursuit of high performance green buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sensitive will help to lower operating and energy costs, improve employee productivity, promote improved learning, and enhance the health, and well-being of the students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech. All projects shall address sustainability as it relates to site issues, water, energy efficiency, materials and resources and indoor air quality.” • Construction Waste (page 35, Standards): “Responsible, thoughtful design can greatly reduce the amount of construction waste through use of standard sizes for construction materials, minimization of applied finishes and careful consideration of manufacturing methods. The diversion of waste materials shall be accomplished through salvage, reuse and recycling as defined in the project specifications with diversion goals set in keeping with LEED standards. Cardboard, paper: VTR can provide scheduled, on-site collection of clean corrugated cardboard packing boxes, and bins for collection by Contractor of sorted office paper, glossy magazines, catalogs, and newspapers.” • Site Prep (page 37, Standards): “Remove all tree stumps, trees, limbs, and rubbish from construction area. Controlled burning shall not be permitted. Stockpile topsoil in an approved area for later use during final grading and restoration. All felled timber from which saw logs, pulpwood, posts, poles, ties, mine props, or cordwood can be produced shall be considered salable timber, and shall be trimmed of limbs and tops, sawed into salable lengths and delivered to the university. The contractor shall remove topsoil from the existing site prior to construction activities to reduce the potential for soil compaction and contamination.”

• Virginia Tech Dining strives to bring food for on campus consumption that is produced as close to Virginia Tech as possible. Local is defined as products that are grown and produced within 250 miles of Blacksburg, Virginia, as well as items that are third party certified including organic and fair trade items. This definition is adapted from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE) standard. • Virginia Tech Dining also oversees a program called “Reusable To-Go” container usage. Information on this sustainable program can be found at: https://www.dining.vt.edu/about/Reusable_To_Go_Program.html • Waste Reduction (page 4, Policy): “Encourage the procurement of alternatives to, with the intent to phase out, plastic individual-serving-sized containers for use during normal operations. Plastic individual-serving-sized containers may be used in emergencies, or for safety or health reasons.”

Design Philosophy (pages 7-8 Standard), “The University is committed to the principles of energy conservation. All designs shall strive to maximize energy efficiency , and comply with the energy conservation.”

Transportation and fleet services (page 3-4, Policy): “Recycle oil, anti-freeze, and tires. Purchase fuel-efficient and low-emission state-owned vehicles. Strive to achieve a passenger fleet vehicle average fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon or as appropriate to be consistent with Federal fuel efficiency guidelines. Increase the number of flex fuel passenger vehicles available for use through Fleet Services. Encourage the use of biofuel in state-owned vehicles. Convert all other existing university vehicles to use biodiesel fuel whenever practical. For leasing vehicle requirements, encourage the use of compact, fuel-efficient, and low-emission vehicles. Continue to promote the use of the carpooling incentive program and alternative modes of transportation including, but not limited to, utilizing Blacksburg Transit, bicycles, walking, and alternatively fueled vehicles. Encourage the use of carpooling to meetings both on and off campus. Promote the use of video conferencing and conference calls in lieu of in-person meetings. Encourage telecommuting if and when practical”.

Paper (page 4, Policy): “Purchase only recycled paper except where equipment limitations or the nature of the document preclude the use of recycled paper. Reduce the consumption of paper and other office supplies, and encourage the use of electronic transactions and publications. New copier, faxes, printers, and other such office equipment purchased or leased that use paper shall be recycled-paper compatible”.

To date Virginia Tech has 27 construction projects registered in the USGBC LEED Program. Our first LEED project received LEED Gold Certification in 2008. To date 15 projects are completed and LEED certified representing nearly 1,200,000 GSF. Of the remaining 12 construction projects, two are completed awaiting certification, six are under construction, and four are in design Furnishings and Finishes (page 57, Standard): “Products used in interior spaces shall be top quality coatings with characteristics of scrub-ability, hiding power and wash-ability. Do not use flat paint for walls. Avoid the use of deeply saturated colors for walls; accent walls shall be from mid-tone ranges unless otherwise approved in the Interior Design Presentation. For walls, ceilings, doors, metal door frames, railings, wood features that require painting water borne paint shall be used. The use of lighter colors enhances reflectivity and reduces the need for electrical lighting. The selection of zero or low VOC products will help to eliminate problems associated with off-gassing. Provide adequate ventilation during the application and curing of paint. Complete all painting prior to the installation of furniture or other soft surfaces which may absorb off-gassing VOCs. High quality, durable paint products will last longer, extending the future repainting schedule. Specifications shall call for shop drawing submittals to include Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for compliance review for each paint product to be used. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); Products used shall not emit VOCs as defined Virginia Tech January, 2006 50 Design and Construction Standards by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measured by weight in grams/liter and listed herein. Do not use products that contain formaldehyde, halogenated solvents, aromatic solvents or heavy metals”.

Additional website resources: http://www.policies.vt.edu/5505.pdf https://www.facilities.vt.edu/content/dam/facilities_vt_edu/planning-construction/design-guidelines-august-2006.pdf https://secure.hosting.vt.edu/www.apps.vpfin.vt.edu/contracts/documents/VTS-388-2017.pdf. https://www.dining.vt.edu/about/Reusable_To_Go_Program.html