Using the Electronics Procurement Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Catherine Cesnik US DOI, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance Federal Environmental Symposium May 2nd, 2006 – NIH, Bethesda, MD

Talk to me ► Stop me with questions ► Bike Rack: items for follow-up

DOI Pilot Tested EPEAT Criteria ► EPEAT criteria included in technical specifications ► September 2005 – $200 million contract awarded to 9 companies ► DOI results:  Top environmental electronics electronics  Equipment take-back services  Prices well below market rates  EPEAT works, the market is ready

Adding EPEAT to IT Contracts ► Step 1: Selling the Idea to Management  Management Focus ► Step 2: Selling the Idea to Management  Cost Concerns ► Step 3: Adding EPEAT to Technical Specs ► Step 4: Evaluating Environmental Performance – Best Value Determination ► Step 5: Contract Award ► Step 6: Follow-up work

Step 1: Selling the Idea to Management  Management Focus ► IT ► Property Management ► Environmental Management ► High-level and staff levels of Management

DOI Commitment to Electronics Stewardship ► Signed FEC MOU Nov ► Committed to manage electronics at:  Purchase  Maintenance  Disposal ► DOI saw opportunity to do all 3 with IT contract using EPEAT Step 1: Management Focus

► Presentations to Procurement Team  EPA – EPEAT criteria  OEPC – DOI commitment to FEC ► Environmental Technical Representative added to procurement team Step 1: Management Focus

Step 2: Selling the Idea to Management  Will this increase purchase cost? ► CIOs and CTOs – Green OK without a significant increase in cost … ► DOI Greening Market Survey and Contract Award Results = No. ► Do Market Survey – Fed Biz Ops

DOI EPEAT Greening Market Survey ► Single biggest assurance for Management ► Vendor’s Day  Encouraged vendors responded to market survey  Good chance to determine what they can provide face-to-face (in particular, take-back programs) Step 2: Cost Concerns

Life Cycle Cost Management Disposal Liability/Fines Lost Resale Value Recycling Fees Maintenance Step 2: Cost Concerns

EPEAT Criteria Categories 1.Reduction of Hazardous Substances, 2.Materials Selection (Renewable/Bio-Based Materials and Recycled Content), 3.Design for End of Product Life, 4.Product Longevity (Availability of additional warranty or service agreements), 5.Energy Conservation (Energy Star), 6.End of Life Management (Product TAKE-BACK), 7.Corporate Performance (Corporate Environmental Policy), and 8.Packaging (reduced Toxics in Packaging and Recyclable packaging materials). Step 2: Cost Concerns

Packaging… Dell “Arcel” Blend of #6 and #3 Highest and best use: “Styro-Castle” USGS GeoKids Step 2: Cost Concerns

Step 3: Adding EPEAT to Technical Specifications

US DOI Pilot Tested EPEAT Criteria ► Differences – Ease of use  DOI used individual EPEAT criteria in technical specifications essentially registering each unit  Agencies now can simply require (or give preference to) EPEAT registered computers Step 3: Technical Specs.

US DOI Pilot Tested EPEAT Criteria ► Differences – Cost data could be different  DOI used individual EPEAT criteria ► Controlled cost of each criteria individually  Agencies now can simply require EPEAT registration ► Decreased ability to control individual criteria and this cost ► *Do Market Survey* Step 3: Technical Specs.

Examples Language in Tech. Specs. ► See Handout Step 3: Technical Specs.

Take-back Services ► A contract within a contract ► Recommend adding your take-back services criteria separately.  Cost considerations  Data considerations Step 3: Technical Specs.

EPEAT requirement contract language that you can use: Dept. of Defense, Army Dept. of Homeland Security Dept. of Energy Veterans Administration Dept. of the Interior NASA SEWP IV State of Massachusetts Step 3: Technical Specs.

Step 4: Evaluating Environmental Performance

“Shall” vs. “Preference to”  Check EPEAT website to ensure accuracy of vendor claims ► Phase 1: Shall = Pass or Fail ► Phase 2: Preference to = need a weighting system to ensures a fair and equal evaluation when determining the best value Step 4: Best Value Determination

Equipment Take-back Services ► Complex to evaluate ► A best value determination within a best value determination Step 4: Best Value Determination

Step 5: Contract Award

Step 6: Follow-up ► Quarterly Technology Refreshments – new equipment also needs to be EPEAT certified ► Take-back program establishment

How Can My Organization Use EPEAT? ► ANY organization can use EPEAT ► Specify product must meet EPEAT Bronze, Silver, or Gold in your contract technical specifications ► Market Survey to research price concerns ► Within a year there will be much more data about price considerations ► Visit to learn more

Questions? Catherine Cesnik, DOI