Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Green Acquisition

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Documents:

• Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance (October 8, 2009) (13 pages, 126 kb)
   
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act Report 2004-2007 (January 16, 2009) (14 pages, 1,030 kb)
   
• FY 2008 Reporting on Green Purchasing Requirements (October 20, 2008) (12 pages, 125 kb)
  • Agency Report for Fiscal Year 2008 (Word, 150 kb)
     
• Acquisition of Green Products and Services (December 28, 2007) (6 pages, 130 kb)
  • Acquisition of Green Products and Services (January 15, 2008) (2 pages, 66 kb)
  • Public Comments
     
• FY 2007 Reporting on Implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Section 6002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, Section 9002, and Other Environmental Purchasing Requirements (November 1, 2007) (11 pages, 109 kb)
   
• Executive Order 13423 Implementing Instructions (March 29, 2007) (51 pages, 301 kb)
   
• Executive Order 13423 (January 26, 2007) (7 pages, 111 kb)
   
• Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Report for 2002 and 2003 (October 2005) (69 pages, 289 kb) 
   
• Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Report for 2000 and 2001 (October 2002) (81 pages, 1,569 kb)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question #1:  What is meant by "green purchasing"?

Answer:  Procurement of any of these products identified is generally referred to as "green purchasing." This list includes but is not limited to:

• recycled materials
• energy-efficient materials or appliances
• water saving processes or appliances
• environmentally preferable processes, materials, or appliances
• biobased products or materials

Question #2:  What are the requirements that promote green purchasing of products and services?

Answer:  In the development of purchase requests and solicitations, agencies must comply with the following requirements:

• Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
  Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/procurement_green/fedreg_100809.pdf (13 pages, 126 kb)
   
• Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
  Link: http://www.ornl.gov/adm/ornlp2/sec6002.htm
   
• Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2003.
  Link: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/AP022/
   
• The Energy Policy Act, Executive Order 13423.
  Link: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/regulations/eo13423.html
   
• Various subparts in FAR Part 23,  Environment, Energy and Water Efficiency, Renewable Energy Technologies, Occupational Safety, and Drug-Free Workplace
  Link: http://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/FARTOCP23.html#wp227606

Question #3:  What role does using UNICOR, AbilityOne, and all types of small businesses play in our ability to accomplish the agency mission?

Answer:  These sources are able to effectively meet a wide range of agency needs for green products and services. Contracting officers are encouraged to confer with their Small Business Specialist for further information on their agency’s progress in meeting small business goals.

Agencies are not expected to eliminate legitimate green purchasing requirements from their needs descriptions if known nonprofit entities or small businesses are unable to satisfy these requirements.  In the event no available sources can meet the requirement, the agency should seek other suitable sources of green products and services without obtaining a purchase exception.

Related Web sites:

• AbilityOne Program, products and services available for green purchasing – http://www.abilityone.gov/
   
• Alternative fuel vehicles/alternative fuels – http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/
   
• Biobased products – http://www.usda.gov/procurement/business/biopreferred.htm
   
• Energy efficient products – http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/
   
• Energy Star® products – http://www.energystar.gov
   
• Environmental management systems – http://www.epa.gov/ems/
   
• Environmentally preferable products and services – http://www.epa.gov/epp/
   
• EPEAT-registered products – http://www.epeat.net
   
• Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI or UNICOR), FPI Schedule of products and services available for green purchasing - http://www.unicor.gov/
   
• High performance buildings – http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/commercial_intiative/
   
• Non-ozone depleting substances – http://www.epa.gov/ozone
   
• Information on mandatory green purchasing requirements is available at The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive website – http://www.ofee.gov/
   
• Recycled content products – http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/index.htm
   
• Sustainable design – http://www.wbdg.org/
   
• Water efficient products – http://www.epa.gov/watersense