Guidelines for environmentally responsible procurement

Criteria:

Travel on behalf of the Province and for the purposes of completing the work described in this RFx should be minimized, and should be undertaken in the most environmentally preferable way, including, but not limited to the following:

• remote meeting technologies, such as teleconference, videoconference and online conferencing services, should be used wherever possible and not detrimental to the quality of the project;
• travel should create the least amount of emissions possible, including, but not limited to, use of public transit, cycling or walking when feasible, use of zero-emission or fuel-efficient vehicles or other low carbon fuels; and
• greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all travel undertaken by the Contractor should be offset using high quality carbon offsets.

Response Guidelines:

• Describe any remote meeting technologies the Proponent proposes to use, and how in-person and remote meetings will be balanced to ensure the quality of the project.
• Describe modes of travel the Proponent proposes to use, and how each will create the least amount of emissions possible.
• Identify whether or not all travel emissions specific to this work will be offset, and if so, which carbon offsets will be used, and how they are considered high-quality.

Criteria:

Unless running the engine is required to operate on-board equipment, all vehicles transporting or delivering services on behalf of the Province should not idle the engine if the vehicle is stopped for more than one minute.

Transportation or delivery of services on behalf of the Province and for the purposes of completing the work described in this RFx should be undertaken in the most environmentally preferable way possible. This includes, but is not limited to:

• choice of lowest emission vehicles in the vehicle type;
• vehicle retrofits and/or upgrades for emission reductions;
• route optimization;
• regular maintenance program including tire inflation; and
• green driver training for vehicle operators.

Response Guidelines:

• Describe primary vehicle(s) proposed for the work, and any attributes on, but not limited to, the bulleted list above. Include how each attribute has been established and is monitored within the Proponent organization

Criteria:

Equipment used to perform the work described in this RFx should be energy efficient (preferably EPEAT rated or Energy Star qualified when applicable), and should be used in an energy efficient manner, including, but not limited to:

• manual equipment where feasible and cost effective;
• alternative energy (e.g., solar) or fuels (e.g., biofuels);
• programmed power down; or
• shut off/un-plug when not in use.

Response Guidelines:

• Describe primary equipment proposed to do the work, including, where applicable, any energy efficiency or environmental certifications (i.e. Energy Star, EPEAT) for each. 
• Describe any proposed processes that will reduce energy consumption in the use of the equipment.

Criteria:

Supplies used to perform the work described in this RFx should be designed and used with environmentally friendly in mind, including, where applicable in material or substance type:

• re-usable, repairable;
• longevity (e.g., manufacturer’s expected lifespan, length of warranty);
• deletion or reduction of hazardous materials (e.g., biodegradable cleaning products, formaldehyde free adhesives, low VOC coatings, etc.);
• use of post-consumer (PCR) or postindustrial (PIR) recycled content (additional points will be awarded for PCR over PIR, and for 50% or greater percentage recycled content);
• design for end-of-life management (certified compostable materials, use of readily recyclable materials).

Response Guidelines:

• Describe the primary supplies (materials and/or substances) proposed for use in the work, and for each, list any associated environmental attributes, addressing, but not limited to, the bulleted list above. Include material or substance specification(s) and proof of any environmental standards or certifications (i.e. copy of certificate or URL to on-line certificate).

NOTE:  Additional points may be awarded in this section for products with currently recognized environmental certification(s), (for example EcoLogo, Green Seal) that support the Proponent’s practices with regards to any of the attributes listed above.

Criteria:

Reports and manuals should be delivered electronically, in an MS Word or PDF file wherever possible, and should be formatted for double side printing.

If reports and manuals will be delivered in a paper based format, they should be printed double sided, and on post-consumer recycled content and/or EcoLogo, FSC or SFI certified paper or equivalent.

Binding should be environmentally preferable as demonstrated by, but not limited to:

• stapling thin documents once in top left corner instead of binding them;
• using comb-type (e.g., Cerlox) binding over spiral-type binding (for ease of separating to shred and recycle); and
• binders, where required, should be free from adhered labels (for ease of re use) and made of post-consumer recycled content.

Response Guidelines:

• Identify what strategies the Proponent will use to utilize electronic documents rather than paper based.
• Detail how paper-based materials will be produced, addressing, but not limited to, items listed above.

Criteria: 

Paper based materials should be kept to the minimum required for in class/in conference work. Further reading and background materials should be made available online, or electronically, in PDF or similar format.

Paper based deliverables required for in class or in conference work should be printed double sided, and on post-consumer recycled content or EcoLogo, FSC or SFI certified paper.

Additional points will be awarded for greater than 30% content recycled paper.

Binding should be environmentally preferable as demonstrated by, but not limited to:

• stapling thin documents instead of binding them;
• using comb-type (e.g., Cerlox) binding over spiral-type binding (for ease of separating to shred and recycle); and
• binders, where required, should be free from adhered labels (for ease of re use) and made of post-consumer recycled content.

Response Guidelines:

• Describe the proposed methodology for ensuring that paper-based materials are kept to a minimum.
• Detail how paper-based materials will be produced, addressing, but not limited to, items listed above.

Criteria:

Program should be located centrally to all potential attendees, and accessible by public transit and bike routes. Secure bike lock up or designated bike racks are preferred, and attendees should be made aware of all these options prior to program start.

Response Guidelines:

• Identify the location of the proposed facilities, and describe all nearby transit and bike routes, and any bike facilities available to attendees.
• Describe how attendees will be made aware of transportation options.

Note 1 for the procurement writer: These criteria are specific to the evaluation of the Proponent’s  facilities from which services are proposed to be delivered directly to third parties or to the Province. Examples include, but are not limited to, training services (for staff and third parties), counselling services, residential care facilities, community health services, etc. Corporate operations or administrative offices should not be evaluated, as direct services would not be delivered from these locations.

Note 2 for the procurement writer: This list includes generic criteria for both commercial and residential facilities – please choose criteria relevant to the applicable type of facility and delete the rest.

Criteria:

Facilities used in the delivery of the services described in this RFx should be equipped with energy and water saving devices where feasible and cost effective. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Energy Star appliance(s);
• on demand or solar hot water system;
• hot water tank insulation blanket(s);
• programmable thermostat(s);
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs;
• WaterSense certified fixtures (toilets, faucets, irrigation);
• dual flush toilet(s); and
• low-flow shower heads.

In addition, Proponents should ensure environmentally friendly practices in the use and maintenance of the facility. This includes, but is not limited to:

• turn down heating/cooling at night;
• turn off, power down or un-plug electronic appliances when not in use;
• turn off non-security lighting at night;
• recycle (cardboard, paper, glass, tin, rigid plastics);
• recycle or properly dispose of appliances, business machines and e-waste at end of life;
• compostable waste;
• repair and re-use equipment, fixtures and furniture whenever possible;
• use recycled ink and toner cartridges;
• purchase environmentally preferable supplies (e.g. EcoLogo or Green Seal cleaning products, FSC or SFI certified paper products, materials that are recyclable, reusable, non-toxic, 100% certified bio-degradable, and/or made from post-consumer recycled materials).

Response Guidelines:

• Identify any energy and water saving devices that the facility is equipped with, addressing, but not limited to, items listed above.
• Describe any behaviors or processes the Proponent regularly practices, addressing, but not limited to, items listed above.

Criteria:

Waste generated in the performance of the work outlined in this RFx should be kept at a minimum (e.g., reusing materials where feasible), and dealt with in an environmentally preferable manner including, but not limited to, maximum diversion from landfill, and recycling at certified facility.

Response Guidelines:

Describe the primary waste products related to the work, and for each, detail any proposed methodologies specific to re-using or reducing them.