Overall Rating Platinum - expired
Overall Score 85.48
Liaison Emmanuelle Jodoin
Submission Date Dec. 6, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Université de Sherbrooke
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Judith Beaudoin
Sustainable Development Coordinator
Facilities Reliability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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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:
Université de Sherbrooke employs LCCA for some projects or practices such as cell phone procurements and replacement policies, printer’s procurements requirements, etc. Building standards also include many of LEED’s parameters for new buildings as requirements, although they may not be certified. As well, the evaluation process related to energy-and water-using products is a priority and included in the institution’s building and procurements standards. Université de Sherbrooke’s Building Standards: https://www.usherbrooke.ca/immeubles/construction/standards-de-construction/#c34995

Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/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 (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
To meet the University's environmental standards, contractors must only use products that are environmentally friendly when available on the market. Environmental criteria require, for instance, that cleaning products must not be made from phosphate or other toxic detergent additives, that they not be harmful to aquatic life and that they meet the performance standards of the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). Cleaning products must be approved by recognized organizations such as EcoLogo, Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle or US EPA. (Call for tenders requirement 2.1 – Produits qui respectent les normes strictes environnementales)

Construction and Renovation 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
As a fact, the University building construction and renovation standards outline some requirements to meet LEED standards. Notwithstanding this, here are some examples of criteria that must be met for construction and renovation products: 1. In the course of calls for tenders regarding plumbing materials: The bidder must have at least 3 members of its team who are familiar with the following standards and provide training to its employees (reference standards for LEED V4): Uniform Plumbing Code 2018; International Plumbing Code; Energy Star: EPA Water Sense. 2. In the course of calls for tenders regarding elevators maintenance: The bidder must describe at least 2 actions it has taken to reduce greenhouse gases. 3. In the course of calls for tenders regarding maintenance of ventilation systems: The use of equipment having High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.

Information Technology (IT) 

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
In its calls for tenders, Université de Sherbrooke requires at minimum a Silver EPEAT level and Energy Star certification for its computers. Indeed, bidders must only offer products with EPEAT Silver or Gold certification in the context of calls for tenders. They must provide proof of membership to the Canadian Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) recycling program or to the Electronics Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC) recycling program. Bidders must also submit proof of membership to the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) or to the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) or be SA 800 certified. Finally, they must provide proof of Coalition for Sustainable Initiative (CFSI).

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
Université de Sherbrooke has leases for its food services and vending concessions and sustainable practice requirements are outlined in contracts. In addition, guidelines pertaining to the University's sustainable practices are included and leasers have to abide in their actions to the University's Sustainable Development Policy. The followings are examples of sustainable development criteria required in the University's food service leases: Promotion of fair and/or organic and/or local products; Adoption of commercial practices aimed to develop responsible consumption; Waste reduction; Ban of single-use water bottles sales; Sale of at least two fair trade products such as coffee, tea and chocolate.

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:
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Professional Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
An evaluation has to be made to ascertain sustainable criteria in calls for tenders by the Sustainable Procurement Coordinator. For example, bidders must describe at least three actions that have been taken to reduce greenhouse gases. They must also be involved in at least three social issues, including one in the Estrie region, and they must have a sustainable development policy as well as a code of ethics signed and communicated to employees

Transportation and Fuels 

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Université de Sherbrooke promotes, when possible, the electrification of its fleet. An evaluation of the fleet management includes sustainable criteria. The institution’s car rental service contract requires that hybrid and electric cars be made available. Also, for its delivery services, calls for tenders’ sustainable criteria are included. The University also purchased an electric gator for the football field maintenance in line with its fleet electrification goals.

Wood and Paper 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
In its calls for tenders, the Université de Sherbrooke requires that printing paper be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. In addition, the paper must be made from 100% post-consumer fibers, acid-free and with elementary chlorine-free fibers. Also, all packaging products must be made from at least 30% recycled fibers and be recyclable.

Other Commodity Categories 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The criteria for other commodity categories such as printing services, furniture and office supplies are to: Have at least three initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases; Offer electronic invoicing; Participate in an ink cartridges recycling program.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs 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:
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