| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.39 |
| Liaison | Michelle Patterson |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
Washington University in St. Louis
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Greg
Parrott Senior Contract Management Liaison Resource Management |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies
Yes
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
See attached.
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Yes
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
The University's Strategic Plan for Sustainable Operations specifies that "Project design should include evaluations of options using life-cycle cost analysis, including capital costs and 30 years of operations and maintenance. The analysis will use the assumptions published in our Financial Modeling Guidelines." All financial models include complex payback and Net Present Value analyses. The Financial Modeling Guidelines further specify that Net Present Value calculations, will be based on the
useful life of the equipment being analyzed as defined by a recognized industry standard, such as ASHRAE's Applications Handbook.
Project LCCA calculations consist of total costs and savings of ownership, including purchase, installation, maintenance savings/increases, as well as energy, water and sewer savings/increases. LCCA financial models also calculate the NPV with and without the Social Cost of Carbon as a decision making tool, using $39/MTCO2e beginning in 2015 with a 3% annual increase.
useful life of the equipment being analyzed as defined by a recognized industry standard, such as ASHRAE's Applications Handbook.
Project LCCA calculations consist of total costs and savings of ownership, including purchase, installation, maintenance savings/increases, as well as energy, water and sewer savings/increases. LCCA financial models also calculate the NPV with and without the Social Cost of Carbon as a decision making tool, using $39/MTCO2e beginning in 2015 with a 3% annual increase.
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
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Landscape and Grounds maintenance:
- Chemicals: Contractor must supply WashU with all MSDS sheets for all chemicals that they use and provide with all applicator licenses for any applications.
- Use standard industry weed control and fertilizers on only targeted applications. Contract with a turf consultant.
- Don't apply pesticides without a targeted pest present. Do not do blanket applications.
"Contractor agrees to creatively work with the University on present and future sustainability initiatives that are important to the University. Contractor further agrees to participate in and support the University' recycling program."
"Operators are to be skilled in the work they are performing and well trained with the equipment they operate. At all times equipment shall be done in a safe manner. All chemical applications shall be done by a trained, qualifies license applicator. A list of chemical data sheets will be provided.
Numerous strategies are used to minimize the use of salts for de-icing (see landscape section).
Cleaning and Janitorial:
- The primary service provider for the main campus (WFF) has a green cleaning policy. The policy applies campus-wide for the main campus, and is used for submittals for LEED certification as well.
- The School of Medicine also has a green cleaning program. COVID has significantly skewed their spend on green cleaning supplies, as they have needed to use much more disinfectant than in pre-COVID years.
Specific language from sustainable procurement guidelines document, cleaning supplies section:
● Cleaning solvents purchased and or used by WashU personnel and by janitorial contractors shall be biodegradable and phosphate free, unless such requirements will compromise quality of service. Citrus-based or electrolyzed water cleaning is preferable versus other chemical cleaners.
● Industrial and institutional cleaning products purchased and/or used by WashU personnel and by janitorial contractors shall carry recognized third-party sustainability certifications such as: Green Seal, Blue Angel, Cradle to Cradle, ECOLOGO, EU Ecolable, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), Nordic Swan, US EPA Safer Choice.
● Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial paper products and expenditures on certified green cleaning and janitorial paper products for the fiscal year must be reported annually.
Cleaning supplies include liquid cleaning products include general purpose bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners; degreasing agents; biologically-active cleaning products (enzymatic and microbial products); floor-care products (e.g. floor finish and floor finish strippers); hand soaps and hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and metal polish and other specialty cleaning products. In addition, janitorial paper products such as toilet tissue, tissue paper, paper towels, hand towels, and napkins and menstruation supplies.
Toxic Materials and Chemicals (Sustainable Procurement Guidelines)
Of available and comparable options, preference shall be given to products that perform best when evaluated against the International Living Future Institute’s Red List.
• Products and equipment purchased shall not contain lead or mercury unless there is no available alternative. For products that contain lead or mercury, preference shall be given to those products with lower concentrations of these metals and to suppliers with established lead and mercury recovery programs
• Pest control shall be managed through prevention, physical and mechanical, and through the purchase of environmentally friendly products. As a last resort, use of the least toxic pest control substance is required. See Integrated Pest Management Program for more detailed guidance.
Link to policy: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/janitorial/
https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/environmentally-preferred-purchasing/
- Chemicals: Contractor must supply WashU with all MSDS sheets for all chemicals that they use and provide with all applicator licenses for any applications.
- Use standard industry weed control and fertilizers on only targeted applications. Contract with a turf consultant.
- Don't apply pesticides without a targeted pest present. Do not do blanket applications.
"Contractor agrees to creatively work with the University on present and future sustainability initiatives that are important to the University. Contractor further agrees to participate in and support the University' recycling program."
"Operators are to be skilled in the work they are performing and well trained with the equipment they operate. At all times equipment shall be done in a safe manner. All chemical applications shall be done by a trained, qualifies license applicator. A list of chemical data sheets will be provided.
Numerous strategies are used to minimize the use of salts for de-icing (see landscape section).
Cleaning and Janitorial:
- The primary service provider for the main campus (WFF) has a green cleaning policy. The policy applies campus-wide for the main campus, and is used for submittals for LEED certification as well.
- The School of Medicine also has a green cleaning program. COVID has significantly skewed their spend on green cleaning supplies, as they have needed to use much more disinfectant than in pre-COVID years.
Specific language from sustainable procurement guidelines document, cleaning supplies section:
● Cleaning solvents purchased and or used by WashU personnel and by janitorial contractors shall be biodegradable and phosphate free, unless such requirements will compromise quality of service. Citrus-based or electrolyzed water cleaning is preferable versus other chemical cleaners.
● Industrial and institutional cleaning products purchased and/or used by WashU personnel and by janitorial contractors shall carry recognized third-party sustainability certifications such as: Green Seal, Blue Angel, Cradle to Cradle, ECOLOGO, EU Ecolable, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), Nordic Swan, US EPA Safer Choice.
● Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial paper products and expenditures on certified green cleaning and janitorial paper products for the fiscal year must be reported annually.
Cleaning supplies include liquid cleaning products include general purpose bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners; degreasing agents; biologically-active cleaning products (enzymatic and microbial products); floor-care products (e.g. floor finish and floor finish strippers); hand soaps and hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and metal polish and other specialty cleaning products. In addition, janitorial paper products such as toilet tissue, tissue paper, paper towels, hand towels, and napkins and menstruation supplies.
Toxic Materials and Chemicals (Sustainable Procurement Guidelines)
Of available and comparable options, preference shall be given to products that perform best when evaluated against the International Living Future Institute’s Red List.
• Products and equipment purchased shall not contain lead or mercury unless there is no available alternative. For products that contain lead or mercury, preference shall be given to those products with lower concentrations of these metals and to suppliers with established lead and mercury recovery programs
• Pest control shall be managed through prevention, physical and mechanical, and through the purchase of environmentally friendly products. As a last resort, use of the least toxic pest control substance is required. See Integrated Pest Management Program for more detailed guidance.
Link to policy: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/janitorial/
https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/environmentally-preferred-purchasing/
Consumable office products
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
From Sustainable Procurement Guidelines:
Office Supplies
Preferred office supply vendor (Office Essentials) hosts a suggested green office supplies list of most commonly ordered supplies that meet sustainability criteria, which is a good place to start. They also have search filters and icons which identify office supplies with recycled content or that have green certifications or are made by diverse suppliers/manufacturers. Offices can also avoid the purchase of new supplies all together by first checking the Office Supply Exchange, where university surplus supplies is posted, or by sharing a common pool of supplies among the department.
General sustainability hierarchy guidelines and considerations include: (1) Already used/repurposed (see Office Supplies Exchange) (2) Durable & high quality (3) Reusable/refillable (4) Post-consumer recycled content or biodegradable (5) pre-consumer or non-specified recycled content (6) recyclable (7) non-toxic
More info:
The purchasing department works with high-volume paper/office supplies vendors to encourage the use of recycled content paper products and office supplies. Preferred "green list", filters, and icons help identify and isolate paper and other office supplies that contain recycled content or have green certifications. Similar filters are available for products from diverse suppliers.
- FedEx, a preferred vendor, offers 30% recycled content paper as the default offering. 30% and 100% post-consumer content paper have been included in the "deep discount" category for WashU accounts, making these options more cost-competitive.
- The Green Office program gives points on the checklist for sourcing recycled content paper for in-house printing/copying and out-of-office printing/copying
Office Supplies
Preferred office supply vendor (Office Essentials) hosts a suggested green office supplies list of most commonly ordered supplies that meet sustainability criteria, which is a good place to start. They also have search filters and icons which identify office supplies with recycled content or that have green certifications or are made by diverse suppliers/manufacturers. Offices can also avoid the purchase of new supplies all together by first checking the Office Supply Exchange, where university surplus supplies is posted, or by sharing a common pool of supplies among the department.
General sustainability hierarchy guidelines and considerations include: (1) Already used/repurposed (see Office Supplies Exchange) (2) Durable & high quality (3) Reusable/refillable (4) Post-consumer recycled content or biodegradable (5) pre-consumer or non-specified recycled content (6) recyclable (7) non-toxic
More info:
The purchasing department works with high-volume paper/office supplies vendors to encourage the use of recycled content paper products and office supplies. Preferred "green list", filters, and icons help identify and isolate paper and other office supplies that contain recycled content or have green certifications. Similar filters are available for products from diverse suppliers.
- FedEx, a preferred vendor, offers 30% recycled content paper as the default offering. 30% and 100% post-consumer content paper have been included in the "deep discount" category for WashU accounts, making these options more cost-competitive.
- The Green Office program gives points on the checklist for sourcing recycled content paper for in-house printing/copying and out-of-office printing/copying
Furniture and furnishings
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
All new construction projects must meet a LEED Silver minimum. To achieve points within the LEED program, furnishings and building materials are sought and tracked.
We do not have specific criteria for furniture selection published yet, but we do select furniture based on the LEED material credit requirements as well as Healthier Hospitals Initiative as much as possible. For most of our recent LEED projects, furniture contribute towards the building materials credits. An upcoming updated version of sustainability standards will include these specifications.
Additionally, there is some guidance provided in the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines: "Of available and comparable options, preference shall be given to products that perform best when evaluated against the International Living Future Institute’s Red List."
We do not have specific criteria for furniture selection published yet, but we do select furniture based on the LEED material credit requirements as well as Healthier Hospitals Initiative as much as possible. For most of our recent LEED projects, furniture contribute towards the building materials credits. An upcoming updated version of sustainability standards will include these specifications.
Additionally, there is some guidance provided in the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines: "Of available and comparable options, preference shall be given to products that perform best when evaluated against the International Living Future Institute’s Red List."
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
The info below is included in the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and posted on the Resource Management website:
Electronics
Includes any product for which an EPEAT certification is available.
● The life of electronic products is to be extended by repairing and refurbishing products that break. Purchasing electronics with replaceable and rechargeable options help improve its longevity and should be prioritized when making new purchases. For older products that can’t be repaired, they should continue being used for less intensive roles until no longer able to perform.
● Computers and computer accessories may be donated if they are still functional, but security protocols must be followed to ensure data security (contact Office of Sustainability for more information).
● Electronics are to be recycled when no longer able to be repaired through R2, E-Stewards certified programs or comparable recycling programs.
● Products containing Mercury are prohibited, unless there are no commercially available mercury-free products for a specific application.
○ If there are no mercury free products, the supplier must offer products that contain the least amount of mercury necessary to meet performance requirements.
● Printers must be compatible for double side printing and work with specified PCRC content requirements for printing materials.
● Shipping of electronics must be done in a way that minimizes disposable packaging while maximizing recyclable and reusable products
○ Styrofoam and other hard to recycle components are prohibited.
○ Reusable crates and pallets should be used over boxes when able
○ Cardboard used for packaging must be 25% minimum PCRC
● Vendors should provide details about the recycled content, third-party sustainability certifications such as EPEAT, ENERGY STAR, and TCO, and other environmental attributes of products and services sold
● Products must meet ENERGY STAR certification at minimum
--------
Additional information on cloud data storage:
Washington University has partnered with 3 major cloud providers: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform. Each vendor has a strategy for increasing the percentage of renewable energy used in their data centers that host the cloud services that they provide.
While there is no official sustainability criteria to date, WashU IT actively works to minimize spending and energy consumption on cloud workloads by:
• Provisioning cloud workloads on-demand as needed
• Setting up test/dev workloads to run only during business hours, saving the expense and energy consumption associated with running servers on evenings and weekends
• Utilizing scale-able computing offerings that grow larger during peak usage, then automatically scale down during low usage times so that they cost the University less money and use less energy
Link to policy: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/environmentally-preferred-purchasing/
Electronics
Includes any product for which an EPEAT certification is available.
● The life of electronic products is to be extended by repairing and refurbishing products that break. Purchasing electronics with replaceable and rechargeable options help improve its longevity and should be prioritized when making new purchases. For older products that can’t be repaired, they should continue being used for less intensive roles until no longer able to perform.
● Computers and computer accessories may be donated if they are still functional, but security protocols must be followed to ensure data security (contact Office of Sustainability for more information).
● Electronics are to be recycled when no longer able to be repaired through R2, E-Stewards certified programs or comparable recycling programs.
● Products containing Mercury are prohibited, unless there are no commercially available mercury-free products for a specific application.
○ If there are no mercury free products, the supplier must offer products that contain the least amount of mercury necessary to meet performance requirements.
● Printers must be compatible for double side printing and work with specified PCRC content requirements for printing materials.
● Shipping of electronics must be done in a way that minimizes disposable packaging while maximizing recyclable and reusable products
○ Styrofoam and other hard to recycle components are prohibited.
○ Reusable crates and pallets should be used over boxes when able
○ Cardboard used for packaging must be 25% minimum PCRC
● Vendors should provide details about the recycled content, third-party sustainability certifications such as EPEAT, ENERGY STAR, and TCO, and other environmental attributes of products and services sold
● Products must meet ENERGY STAR certification at minimum
--------
Additional information on cloud data storage:
Washington University has partnered with 3 major cloud providers: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform. Each vendor has a strategy for increasing the percentage of renewable energy used in their data centers that host the cloud services that they provide.
While there is no official sustainability criteria to date, WashU IT actively works to minimize spending and energy consumption on cloud workloads by:
• Provisioning cloud workloads on-demand as needed
• Setting up test/dev workloads to run only during business hours, saving the expense and energy consumption associated with running servers on evenings and weekends
• Utilizing scale-able computing offerings that grow larger during peak usage, then automatically scale down during low usage times so that they cost the University less money and use less energy
Link to policy: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/environmentally-preferred-purchasing/
Food service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Resource Management enlists the Office of Sustainability to review and provide input on all food service provider contracts. Sustainability specifications are including in the RFP, selection criteria and final contracts. These are treated on a case-by-case basis. The main food service provider for campus (multi-million dollar contract) went out to bid in 2020 and sustainability played a major role in the negotiating process.
Events that involve food are required to use our food service provider in many event spaces across campus. For events that are able to hire external caterers, they can reference guidelines and specific vendors that are prevent to be able to comply with them on our Green Event Resources page: https://sustainability.wustl.edu/get-involved/event-greening-2/
Guidelines also appear online, on Resource Management's website (download document linked here: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/)
Preference shall be given to food and food service suppliers that provide local and or community-based products and healthy and nutritional foods.
Preference shall also be given to products that are sustainably and or ethically produced as determined by one or more recognized third party food and beverage sustainability standards.
Sample certifications include:
• Sustainable Agriculture
o Biodynamic Certified
o Bird friendly Coffee
o Certified Organic under any IFOAM-endorsed standard
o Certified Sustainability Grown (SCS)
o LEAF Marque
o Rainforest Alliance Certified
• Sustainable Seafood
o Marine Stewardship Council blue ecolabel
o Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch (Best Choices, Good Alternatives, and Recommended Eco-Certifications)
• Fair trade/labor
o Ecocert Fair Trade
o Fair for Life
o Fairtrade mark (Fairtrade International)
o Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA)
o FairWild certified
o Guaranteed Fair Trade (WFTO)
o Hand in Hand (Rapunzel)
o Small Producers’ Symbol (SPP)
• Human Animal Care
o Animal Welfare Approved (A Greener World)
o Certified Humane Raised and Handled
o Global Animal Partnership Certified
*Also includes ban on selling bottled water, preference towards reusable, recyclable, and compostable food serviceware, 3-stream waste sorting, etc.
Events that involve food are required to use our food service provider in many event spaces across campus. For events that are able to hire external caterers, they can reference guidelines and specific vendors that are prevent to be able to comply with them on our Green Event Resources page: https://sustainability.wustl.edu/get-involved/event-greening-2/
Guidelines also appear online, on Resource Management's website (download document linked here: https://resourcemanagement.wustl.edu/purchasing-services/environmental/)
Preference shall be given to food and food service suppliers that provide local and or community-based products and healthy and nutritional foods.
Preference shall also be given to products that are sustainably and or ethically produced as determined by one or more recognized third party food and beverage sustainability standards.
Sample certifications include:
• Sustainable Agriculture
o Biodynamic Certified
o Bird friendly Coffee
o Certified Organic under any IFOAM-endorsed standard
o Certified Sustainability Grown (SCS)
o LEAF Marque
o Rainforest Alliance Certified
• Sustainable Seafood
o Marine Stewardship Council blue ecolabel
o Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch (Best Choices, Good Alternatives, and Recommended Eco-Certifications)
• Fair trade/labor
o Ecocert Fair Trade
o Fair for Life
o Fairtrade mark (Fairtrade International)
o Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA)
o FairWild certified
o Guaranteed Fair Trade (WFTO)
o Hand in Hand (Rapunzel)
o Small Producers’ Symbol (SPP)
• Human Animal Care
o Animal Welfare Approved (A Greener World)
o Certified Humane Raised and Handled
o Global Animal Partnership Certified
*Also includes ban on selling bottled water, preference towards reusable, recyclable, and compostable food serviceware, 3-stream waste sorting, etc.
Garments and linens
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Content below includes apparel (including uniforms), but does not specifically include linens. It appears in both the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and on the Trademark Licensing websites:
Promotional Products & Apparel
In order to promote consistent, quality representations of Washington University, all apparel (including uniforms) and novelty merchandise (promotional products) displaying university logos and trademarks must be purchased from a supplier licensed to produce such merchandise. In addition, all trademark use must be approved by the university’s licensing office.
Washington University’s Trademark Licensing Program protects the university’s registered trademarks and goodwill, and supports fair treatment of workers across the globe. When you support the university’s licensed suppliers, you simultaneously support just and humane working conditions around the world. WashU is affiliated with two organizations – the Fair Labor Association and the Workers Rights Consortium – that work for lasting solutions to abusive working conditions.
Most licensed suppliers offer some environmentally preferable products, while some specialize in it. In general, seek out durable, high-quality products that are likely to be fully utilized by the intended audience. Some suggested considerations include:
Fabric and textiles
(1) Organic and/or plant-based (2) recycled content (3) biodegradable (4) recyclable
Other
(1) Useful & durable (2) Reusable/refillable (3) Post-consumer recycled content or biodegradable (4) recyclable
Promotional Products & Apparel
In order to promote consistent, quality representations of Washington University, all apparel (including uniforms) and novelty merchandise (promotional products) displaying university logos and trademarks must be purchased from a supplier licensed to produce such merchandise. In addition, all trademark use must be approved by the university’s licensing office.
Washington University’s Trademark Licensing Program protects the university’s registered trademarks and goodwill, and supports fair treatment of workers across the globe. When you support the university’s licensed suppliers, you simultaneously support just and humane working conditions around the world. WashU is affiliated with two organizations – the Fair Labor Association and the Workers Rights Consortium – that work for lasting solutions to abusive working conditions.
Most licensed suppliers offer some environmentally preferable products, while some specialize in it. In general, seek out durable, high-quality products that are likely to be fully utilized by the intended audience. Some suggested considerations include:
Fabric and textiles
(1) Organic and/or plant-based (2) recycled content (3) biodegradable (4) recyclable
Other
(1) Useful & durable (2) Reusable/refillable (3) Post-consumer recycled content or biodegradable (4) recyclable
Professional service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
The university has a series of resources and programs designed to support supplier diversity initiatives, create a pipeline for diverse businesses, and ensure that historically disadvantaged businesses can submit competitive bids and be fairly considered. More info: https://supplierdiversity.wustl.edu/
Due to LEED certification requirements, contractors within architecture, engineering, consulting and related fields must have the appropriate competency to deliver sustainability results. As such, sustainability is included in RFPs, Scope of Works and contracts.
Architecture & Engineering [Railesha]
Others: IT, consulting
Support for MWO business??
Construction (%labor, $spend with diverse workers)
Due to LEED certification requirements, contractors within architecture, engineering, consulting and related fields must have the appropriate competency to deliver sustainability results. As such, sustainability is included in RFPs, Scope of Works and contracts.
Architecture & Engineering [Railesha]
Others: IT, consulting
Support for MWO business??
Construction (%labor, $spend with diverse workers)
Transportation and fuels
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
CarShare with minimum fuel efficiency
Seek EV shuttles in next cycle of shuttle contract
Increase number of EVs on campus (WUSM, Chancellor)
Resource Management has adopted guidelines for vehicle purchase that favors EVs where possible:
Vehicles
Declining purchase costs for electric vehicles and other low-/no- emission vehicles, combined with lower fuel and maintenance costs, offer potential cost savings in many applications. Prioritize electric vehicles over other options, where cost effective. In cases where there is no electric model to suit the operational needs for the vehicle being purchased, or there is no cost-effective electric alternative, prioritize according to the following hierarchy:
(1) Plug-in hybrid vehicle
(2) Hybrid-electric vehicle
(3) Alternative fuel or other vehicle with demonstrated lower emissions than a comparable conventional vehicle.
The purchase of a no-emissions vehicle will be considered cost-effective if its estimated life-cycle cost is within 5% of the cost of a comparable conventional vehicle. Life-cycle cost is defined as all capital costs, including vehicle purchase/lease cost, acquisition and installation of any associated fueling infrastructure, operating costs over the expected life of the vehicle – including fuel and maintenance costs, and the estimated environmental benefits of avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
This guideline aligns with and is modeled after the Clean Vehicle Purchase Executive Order implemented by the City of St. Louis.
______
WashU has a small vehicle fleet, but two areas where sustainability criteria has influenced purchasing decisions include:
- Enterprise CarShare - CarShare rental vehicles available through the university are required to be high fuel efficient and/or hybrid.
- The shuttle bus service provider contract is currently out for bid. The RFP is prioritizing electric and low-emission vehicles.
Seek EV shuttles in next cycle of shuttle contract
Increase number of EVs on campus (WUSM, Chancellor)
Resource Management has adopted guidelines for vehicle purchase that favors EVs where possible:
Vehicles
Declining purchase costs for electric vehicles and other low-/no- emission vehicles, combined with lower fuel and maintenance costs, offer potential cost savings in many applications. Prioritize electric vehicles over other options, where cost effective. In cases where there is no electric model to suit the operational needs for the vehicle being purchased, or there is no cost-effective electric alternative, prioritize according to the following hierarchy:
(1) Plug-in hybrid vehicle
(2) Hybrid-electric vehicle
(3) Alternative fuel or other vehicle with demonstrated lower emissions than a comparable conventional vehicle.
The purchase of a no-emissions vehicle will be considered cost-effective if its estimated life-cycle cost is within 5% of the cost of a comparable conventional vehicle. Life-cycle cost is defined as all capital costs, including vehicle purchase/lease cost, acquisition and installation of any associated fueling infrastructure, operating costs over the expected life of the vehicle – including fuel and maintenance costs, and the estimated environmental benefits of avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
This guideline aligns with and is modeled after the Clean Vehicle Purchase Executive Order implemented by the City of St. Louis.
______
WashU has a small vehicle fleet, but two areas where sustainability criteria has influenced purchasing decisions include:
- Enterprise CarShare - CarShare rental vehicles available through the university are required to be high fuel efficient and/or hybrid.
- The shuttle bus service provider contract is currently out for bid. The RFP is prioritizing electric and low-emission vehicles.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
- The General Terms and conditions for the university were updated in 2021 with language specific to sustainability and supplier diversity, specifically as it relates to tracking and reporting goals and progress in these areas.
- An Office of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity representatives meet monthly with the full Resource Management team to review all upcoming RFPs and contract renewals to determine if there are opportunities to collaborate more deeply on specific projects.
- An Office of Sustainability representative participates in annual/semi-annual meetings with preferred suppliers and basic service contractors. Sustainability is part of the vendor annual reviews.
- The Office of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity Office provide consolation on RFPs and contracts upon request.
- The Sustainable Procurement Guidelines were published in March 2022; the website will be updated shortly to reflect these revised guidelines in each of the related commodity areas.
- An Office of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity representatives meet monthly with the full Resource Management team to review all upcoming RFPs and contract renewals to determine if there are opportunities to collaborate more deeply on specific projects.
- An Office of Sustainability representative participates in annual/semi-annual meetings with preferred suppliers and basic service contractors. Sustainability is part of the vendor annual reviews.
- The Office of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity Office provide consolation on RFPs and contracts upon request.
- The Sustainable Procurement Guidelines were published in March 2022; the website will be updated shortly to reflect these revised guidelines in each of the related commodity areas.
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.