University of Richmond
OP-10: Computer Purchasing

There is no specific documentation that references the preference for “EPEAT Silver or higher”; however, we do talk about the importance of our sustainability efforts in our configuration planning meetings with our computer vendors, all of our desktop/laptop systems purchased over the last several years have met the EPEAT Silver or Gold rating, according to epeat.net. We do address Sustainability in the RFP process as well. The following statement is included: SUSTAINABILITY: The University of Richmond is committed to environmental sustainability by encouraging faculty, staff and students to purchase products and services that minimize waste, contain a high-recycled content, use responsible production methods, and demonstrate a maximum biodegradability, reparability, energy efficiency, non-toxicity and recyclability. Vendors are encouraged to provide an alternate bid for products, services, or process that is more environmentally beneficial. Please provide product and sustainability fact sheets for each item in the bid. The University will evaluate all bids and the award will be made, in whole or in part, to the selected vendor(s). FYI – prior to 2011, we purchased Lenovo PC products. All of the desktop/laptop systems for Lenovo are EPEAT Gold according to the epeat.net site. Of the laptop/desktop computer assets in use on campus, 100% would be considered EPEAT Gold.