About Green Purchasing

On October 5, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, directing Federal agencies to purchase environmentally responsible products and technologies.  Green Purchasing helps to reduce adverse impacts to the environment, conserve energy and other natural resources, improve public health and safety, and create new markets and jobs.  By procuring both environmentally responsible and energy-efficient products, the VA is a leader in Green initiatives.

The VA promotes the Federal Green Purchasing Program through the acquisition of:

• Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
• Biobased products designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Electronics with environmentally preferable attributes
• Energy efficient products (EnergyStar)
• Energy efficient products (FEMP)
• Water-efficient products
• Environmentally preferable products and services
• Non-ozone depleting substances
• Products containing alternatives to certain priority chemicals
• Recycled content products designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines

Federal buyers are now required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to purchase products that are ENERGY STAR®-qualified or FEMP-designated.  These products are in the upper 25% of energy efficiency in their class.  The purchasing requirements are codified by FAR Part 23.  In addition, Executive Order 13221 requires that federal agencies purchase products with low standby power.  FEMP helps federal purchasers identify these types of highly efficient products.  A list of the all of the ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated products is available for download at these links.  Purchasing “green” products helps reduce our impact on the environment.

• Information on Energy Efficient Procurement

For more information, access the VA Green Purchasing webpage.

Green Products Compilation

This is a compilation of the products for which EPA, DOE, and USDA have provided environmental or energy attribute recommendations.  Product and services specifiers and contracting officials can find all of the designated products in an easy to use series of spreadsheets.

The designated green products are separated into 18 spreadsheets including, but not limited to:  Building Construction; Landscaping; Building Interior; Building Finishes; Paper Office Products; Printing; Non-Paper Office Products; Office Electronics; Renewable Energy; Vehicle Products; Cleaning Products; Lubricants, Oils, Hydraulic Fluids and Greases; and Miscellaneous.

Access the latest version of the Green Products Compilation at FedCenter.gov.

Green Purchasing Guidance

FedCenter.gov is the Federal Government’s home for comprehensive environmental stewardship and compliance assistance.  Green Purchasing training is also available at this resource.

OFEE updated its designated green products Excel sheet.  Please share it with your contracting and acquisition staff as a tool to help them green their contracts and purchase card purchases.  These designated green products must be given a preference over non-green alternatives.

The United States Department of Agriculture provides training and tools for Federal and Federal Contractor Personnel on the Biopreferred Program

The Department of Energy provides resources and publications for the Federal Energy Management Program.

Greening the Acquisition Planning Process

Acquisition Planning is the time to discuss the potential for the inclusion of green language.  In order to be compliant with Executive Order 13514, contracts must have both applicable green product Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses and requirements for green products and services written into the requirements documents.  While you may not know whether or not a contract has green potential, you can at least start the dialogue with your customer.