An EPP, purchased or used in the performance of a service, must possess at least one of the following environmentally preferable attributes or features.
The 5 categories for EPP reporting are listed below and defined in Clause 7–15: Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting:
Note: The Postal Service has determined which ecolabels meet this requirement as part of external tracking and reporting obligations. This list is maintained on the Office of Sustainability’s Green Purchasing Webpage at: http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/green_purchasing.htm.
In eBuyPlus, EPPs are highlighted with a green banner and can be searched for by using the “Buy EPP” search functionality in the detailed product information view. Within the detailed product information view, a check mark next to each applicable EPP attribute category (listed above) denotes applicability for that product.
As discussed in Section 2-1, Develop Purchase Plan, a purchase plan provides the overall strategy to accomplish and manage a purchase and is normally prepared in alignment with the Commodity Sourcing Strategy Plan (CSSP), which is discussed in Section 7-2, Develop Commodity Strategy. Sustainability is one of the components of the purchase plan that should be considered by the purchase/SCM team. Sustainable components in the purchase plan include, as applicable, recycled content, recyclability, end of life concerns including the disposal of batteries in devices, take back programs with suppliers to ensure proper and cost effective disposal of products, and disposal of hazardous materials. (See Section 2-11, Develop Life Cycle Support Plan, 5-3, Implement Life Cycle Support Plan, 5-2, Conduct Material Planning Activities, and 6-1, Dispose).
Conducting market research and early supplier involvement can support the Postal Service’s sustainability objectives by identifying emerging technologies; alternative approaches; and innovative, more sustainable products and supply chain solutions. Since the purchase of EPP requires supplier reporting, purchase/SCM teams are encouraged to coordinate and collaborate with internal sustainability professionals.
Purchase/SCM teams should consider whether different Postal Service sustainability attributes may be specified in Statements of Work (SOWs) or Statements of Objectives (SOOs) when soliciting requirements. When sustainable products with environmentally preferred attributes are determined to meet Postal Service requirements, are cost-effective and are reasonably available, these products should be considered for inclusion in specifications, SOWs and SOOs as a specific requirement (e.g., Energy Star® certified computer equipment, expedited postal packaging made of 30% or more post-consumer recycled content using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified paper stock). For the definition and five categories of environmentally preferred products, see Clause 7-15: Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting.
If a purchase/SCM team decides that a Postal Service sustainability consideration (e.g., energy efficiency) is beneficial to the success of a purchase, then it should be considered for inclusion as an evaluation factor for determination of best value. The description of the evaluation factor should be as specific as possible. If a specific environmental attribute or certification is a requirement for the purchase, it should be included in the specifications, SOW, or SOO, or considered in the prequalification of suppliers, or used as a pass/fail evaluation factor.
If a requirement does not offer an opportunity for the inclusion of sustainable content within the actual product or service to be purchased, then a sustainability evaluation factor should not be used. Purchase/SCM teams may however determine to consider the level of a firm’s demonstrated commitment to sustainability in finalizing the source list for an acquisition, or in a formal prequalification process for a purchase or series of purchases.
The supplier EPP data reporting (aka Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting) clause is applicable to contracts involving the purchase of goods and does not apply to the purchase of services.
Clause 7–15: Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting should be included when the estimated value of the contract is $500,000 or more. This clause supports the reporting of data needed to monitor and evaluate the Postal Service’s progress towards it’s sustainability goals.
When the contract contains Clause 7–15: Supplier Sustainability Data Reporting:
