7-16.7 Clauses

Clause 7-10, Sustainability, is included in all Postal Service contracts by being incorporated by reference in Clause 4-2, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Policies, Statutes, and Executive Orders. This clause encourages suppliers to improve sustainability effectiveness in the performance of Postal Service contracts, and states that the Postal Service will collaborate with suppliers to identify opportunities to improve sustainability performance and, when merited, will reward suppliers’ sustainability innovations. As stated in 7-16.5, Innovations, COs should examine Clause 2-22: Value Engineering Incentive, as an example of a cost-sharing approach that may be used as a starting point for encouraging innovation.

Depending on the nature of the purchase, purchase/SCM teams should consider including the following clauses in solicitations and contracts:

  • Clause 7-11, Recycled Content Products, should be included in solicitations and contracts when the purchase includes or could include products manufactured with post-consumer or pre-consumer recycled content materials that are cost effective and reasonably available to meet the functional business requirements.
  • Clause 7-12, Bio-Based Content Products, should be included in solicitations and contracts when the purchase includes or could include products manufactured with bio-based content materials that are cost-effective and reasonably available to meet the functional business requirements.
  • Clause 7-13, Energy Efficiency in Energy Consuming Products, should be included in solicitations and contracts for products and services when the purchase includes or could include use of energy efficient products and services that are cost effective and reasonably available to meet the functional business requirements.
  • Clause 7-14, Water Efficiency in Water Consuming Products, should be included in solicitations and contracts for products and services when the purchase includes or could include use of water efficient products and services that are cost effective and reasonably available to meet the functional business requirements.
  • Clause 7-15, Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting, must be included in all contracts valued at $500,000 or more for suppliers who sell the Postal Service environmentally preferable product (EPP) goods, unless waived by the Contracting officer in accordance with 7-16.6.2, Waivers. As discussed in 7-16.6, Sustainability Reporting, the clause requires suppliers to submit calendar-quarter reports on the use of EPP goods.