Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.84
Liaison Andrew Horning
Submission Date Dec. 19, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Michigan
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Kenneth Keeler
Senior Sustainability Rep
Office of Campus Sustainability
"---" 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:
http://procurement.umich.edu/diversity-sustainability/sustainable-purchasing

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:
AEC uses a LCCA calculator when reviewing new construction options. Energy management team uses LCCA to evaluate potential payback for Energy Conservation Measures
LCCA was used to produce the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN –CARBON NEUTRAL INFRASTRUCTURE 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:
The University of Michigan has implemented a comprehensive cleaning system called (OS1) in U-M campus buildings. The (OS1) program includes a green cleaning policy (described here: http://www.umaec.umich.edu/desguide/3.0-Sustainability/OS1-Green-Cleaning-System.pdf), a high performance cleaning system, a custodial effectiveness assessment, the use of sustainable cleaning products and materials, the use of sustainable cleaning equipment, indoor chemical and pollutant source control and indoor integrated pest management.

Student life uses a sustainable and green cleaning agent known as aqueous (or liquid) ozone as our daily general cleaner and sanitizer. http://housing.umich.edu/repairs-and-maintenance/bathroom-cleaning

U-M defines sustainable land management practices as:
• Practices which take into consideration the local climate and environment, and require minimum resource inputs.
• Practices which preserve resources, reduce waste and prevent air, water and soil pollution.
• Practices which reduce stormwater runoff as well as pollutants entering water bodies, by limiting or avoiding the creation of new impervious surfaces, (when possible), and increasing the campus’s natural ability to infiltrate and/or filter water prior to entering the Huron River or its tributaries.
• Maintenance practices which avoid or minimize the use of chemicals through:
o Prioritizing less harmful land management chemicals (which for this document refers to all herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and algaecides). Employing the minimum amount and toxicity necessary to discourage pests and invasive, exotic and non-desired plants, and assist ecological restoration and natural areas stewardship.
o Improving soil and ecosystem health. Prevention is the primary strategy for disease, weed and insect control. By building healthy soils and promoting healthy ecosystems, U-M land will better resist disease and insects.
o Establishing naturalize areas or buffer areas.
o Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
o Selecting plants well adapted for the climate and site, and encouraging native plants that attract beneficial insects or other wildlife specifics. If the number of defoliating insects becomes undesirable, options like insect predators, mating disruption, traps, and barriers should be prioritized. If necessary, botanical or other non-persistent pest controls should be used under restricted conditions.
o Irrigation efficiency.

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:
The OS-1 program sets standards on paper products. For example, Toilet tissue used contains a minimum 20% post-consumer recycled content and is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

http://www.umaec.umich.edu/desguide/3.0-Sustainability/OS1-Green-Cleaning-System.pdf

University of Michigan is replacing mercury containing fluorescent lights with LEDs. Projects include LED lighting upgrades at GG Brown Laboratories, Couzens Hall, Herbert H. Dow Building, James and Anne Duderstadt Center, East Hall, East Quad, North Campus Research Complex, and Harrison M. Randall Laboratory.

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:
The Sustainable Products Portfolio (SPP) is maintained by the Sustainability Team at the
University of Michigan (U-M) Department of Architecture, Engineering & Construction
(AEC). The SPP consists of a list of sustainable products that the University has evaluated
and which have been found to meet our sustainable selection criteria.

http://www.umaec.umich.edu/desguide/3.0-Sustainability/DG3.3.pdf

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
---

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
As part of the U-M Zero-waste football game initiative all on site vendors provide only recyclable or compostable food containers.
https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/sustainability-zero-waste-html.aspx

Procurement Services actively pursues supplier diversity and also welcomes opportunities for small businesses to participate in the university’s procurement of goods and services. For more information, please visit the Supplier Diversity and the Sustainable Purchasing pages.

https://procurement.umich.edu/um-suppliers/supplier-basics/
https://procurement.umich.edu/um-suppliers/supplier-diversity/
https://procurement.umich.edu/um-suppliers/sustainable-purchasing/

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:
At the University of Michigan, socially responsible procurement—which includes promoting diversity, safety, and sustainability while being cognizant of fiscal responsibilities—is highly valued. The MConnect program was developed to assist those wanting to procure goods or services from diverse suppliers as well as to promote suppliers who employ environmentally sustainable methodologies in their business operations.
https://finance.umich.edu/procurement/supplierinfo/procurementstewardship
https://finance.umich.edu/procurement/supplierinfo/mconnectprogram

U-M Architecture, Engineering and Construction requires all vendors to meet sustainability building guidelines:
https://umaec.umich.edu/for-vendors/design-guidelines/3-0-sustainability/

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
The university only purchases Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel. Uses biodiesel blends when possible and E-85 to fuel fleet vehicles.

https://ltp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/alternative_fuel_vehicle.pdf
https://ltp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/service_station.pdf

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:
http://www.umaec.umich.edu/desguide/3.0-Sustainability/OS1-Green-Cleaning-System.pdf
http://housing.umich.edu/repairs-and-maintenance/bathroom-cleaning

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.