7.2 Green procurement
7.2.4 Agency guidelines
Pursuant to § 2.2-4328.1 of the Code of Virginia, if an agency receives two or more bids in response to an IFB for IT goods from offerors that are Energy Star Certified, meet the Federal Energy Management Program’s (FEMP) designated efficiency requirements, appear on the FEMP Low Standby Power Product List, or are WaterSense Certified, the agency may only select among those offerors.
Additionally, Executive Order 77 (2021) requires that all executive branch agencies develop and implement a plan to discontinue buying, selling, or distributing 100% of all disposable plastic bags, single-use plastic and polystyrene food service containers, plastic straws and cutlery, and single use plastic water bottles that are not for medical, public health, or public safety use by 2025.
VITA has developed the following guidelines to assist IT procurement professionals in identifying IT suppliers and IT goods and services which have demonstrated product improvement on key environmental attributes and initiatives. Nothing in these guidelines shall be construed as requiring the Commonwealth, VITA or any executive branch agency or institution or supplier to procure IT products or services that do not perform adequately for their intended use or are not available at a reasonable, competitive price in a reasonable period of time:
Attribute |
Guideline |
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Manufacturer “take back” of equipment |
This can be accomplished through a lease or a contractual provision whereby the seller agrees to be responsible for taking back the products and providing for appropriate re-use or recycling when the buyer no longer needs the product. However, it is mandatory that any such returned equipment have all Commonwealth data removed in compliance with VITA’s data removal standards at this location: https://www.vita.virginia.gov/it-governance/itrm-policies- standards/. |
|
Reduction of toxic components |
IT good manufacturers must demonstrate they are complying with the European Union’s Directive – Restriction of Hazardous Substances – which requires the phase out of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and certain brominated flame retardants (PBBs and PBDEs). |
|
Increased recycled content |
Purchasing consideration should be given to IT products that use recycled content and products that can easily be recycled. |
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Reduced packaging |
IT suppliers should be encouraged to use reduced and/or recycled packaging for shipping, to minimize quantity and weight of non-recyclable packaging and to produce user manuals that are easily recyclable. |
|
Shelf life and supportability |
IT goods should be evaluated on upgradeability and longevity to avoid short replacement cycles and reduce waste. |
|
Energy efficiency |
IT suppliers should be encouraged to produce equipment that meets Energy Star specifications including:
|
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Clean manufacturing practices |
Identify and encourage IT suppliers who minimize the use of toxic and hazardous components in their manufacturing and production processes. |
|
Design for reuse and recycling |
Identify and reward suppliers of IT products that use recycled content and produce goods that can easily be recycled. |
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