1. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
Administrative Rule PUR­8 states we must bring sustainability considerations into our
purchases. We have created the sustainability checklist to bring sustainability considerations
into our procurement planning. Your work with the sustainability considerations you create will
be seen by proposers in specifications and in responsible business practices section of
solicitation documents. .
This document has been created to be a quick reference for sustainability definitions and
examples for procurement planning. You may find additional guidance on our the Central
Purchasing MultcoCommons page and our Public Website.
We define ​Sustainable Purchasing​ as a practice to ensure we meet the needs of the present
without compromising future generation's needs by using the Triple Bottom Line which brings
Environmental, Social Equity, and Economic Impact considerations into our decision making
to achieve sustainability.
New Sustainability Checklist Categories are:
For purchases with evaluation criteria, PUR­8 requires that 25% of the total evaluation points
be allocated to ​sustainability​ with ​environmental considerations,​ social equity, and ​economic
impacts.
Environmental Considerations ​= 10% of total points. Evaluation questions and criteria are
customized for each procurement. Find sample language you can use and edit
here.​http://web.multco.us/purchasing/sustainable­purchasing
Social Equity​ ​(MWESB and Workforce Diversity) = 10% of total points and mandatory
boilerplate language applies.
Economic Impact (includes employee wellness)​ ​= 5% of total points and mandatory
boilerplate language applies.
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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2. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
Environmental Considerations:
Products or services that “have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the
environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same
purpose.” This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production,
manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance or disposal of the
product or service. We have five main areas of environmental considerations: Toxic
Reduction , Water , Waste Management and Reduction, Energy, and Food Vendor Practices.
Toxic reduction​ is briefly described as selecting products that do not have an adverse impact
on the environment or human health. We encourage you to refer to our resources on how to
avoid toxic chemicals in business practices. Our resources start with our ​Toxic Reduction
Strategy (2006)​ and our ​Healthy Purchasing Initiative (2012)​ that gives us guidance for how to
avoid toxic chemicals by providing a restricted substance list. There is further guidance for
vendors seeking to provide​ Personal Services​, ​Non­Personal Services, and Goods being sold
to the County. ​ Please consider banning toxic substances in your procurements.
Toxic Substances to avoid, but not limited to:
● Alkylphenols
● Bisphenol A (BPA) and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
● Cadmium
● Chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethlene (CSPE)
● Chloroprene, Neoprene, and Chlorobenzene
● Clorine
● Chromium
● Formaldehyde
● Mercury (HIGHLY TOXIC)
● Perfluorinated compounds (used in water resistant textiles)
● Phthalates
● Polyvinyl chloride and Polyvinylidene chloride (common in water bottles, stuffed animals, and dolls)
● Wood treatments containing creosote, arsenic or pentachlorophenol
● Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
● Flame Retardants
● Lead (HIGHLY TOXIC)
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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3. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
Water Conservation ​refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for
different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agriculture irrigation. Water
conservation is defined as any beneficial reduction in water loss, a reduction in water use, or
improved water management.
● Please describe the water conserving fixtures or retrofit devices and their flow
rates for appliances that include, but are not limited to laundry equipment, toilets,
waterless urinals, faucets, aerators, and shower heads.
● Please describe how you purchase materials that have use water conservation
methods in production.
● Please describe how you promote efficient water usage in your organization.
● Please describe how your landscape design conserves water and include a list of
plants and techniques used to conserve water and have positive impact on the
environment.
Waste Management and Reduction​­is a resource conservation process where we try to first
avoid waste, then reduce waste, reuse waste, recycle waste, recover waste and if we have to
dispose of waste. Multnomah County Solicitations may include waste management and
reduction questions like the examples below.
Example Questions:
● Please describe your organizations a recycling plan to reduces waste?
● Please describe how you reduce waste by purchasing products with less packaging?
● Please describe how you buy in bulk?
● Please describe how you you reuse or donate items to have a positive impact on our
community?
● Do you donate items for re­manufacturing?
● Are items you use easily processed or recycled into new raw materials?
● Do you purchase products with post consumer recycled content including paper and
plastic products?
Energy Conservation:​ Energy Conservation is the practice of reducing the demand for
energy, meeting demands as efficiently as possible, supplying energy from low carbon and
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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4. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
renewable energy sources, carbon off­setting, using of energy efficient products, purchasing
energy efficient materials, and avoiding products that are energy vampires that draw power
when off. Using less energy to fulfill the same function or purpose; usually attributed to a
technological fix rather than a change in behavior, examples include better insulation to
reduce heating / cooling demand, compact fluorescent bulbs to replace incandescent, or
proper tire inflation to improve gas mileage.Multnomah County Solicitations may include
energy conservation questions like the examples below. Example Questions:
● Please describe your energy management plan to reduce energy needed or
efficiently use energy?
● Does your organization promote energy saving practices such as turning off
lights in rooms not being used?
● Does your organization purchase energy efficient light bulbs and encourage
others to do the same?
● Please describe how you utilize and encourage the use of energy efficient
appliances?
● Please describe how you purchase any other materials with energy efficiency as
a consideration?
● Please list the Energy Star rating for equipment and appliances that include,but
are not limited to lighting systems, heating systems, and all appliances such as
refrigerators, microwaves, and laundry equipment.
Food Vendor Practices: ​We are providing guidance on environmental considerations when
we are requesting food services from vendors. We are looking to select food vendors who
demonstrate environmental considerations in their service. We are calling this out because
food waste is the largest environmental concern we face today. It incorporates all of the other
environmental considerations.
● Please describe how you avoid individually wrapped food, but if unavoidable how you
seek reusable or recyclable materials other than plastic.​Evaluation Criteria:
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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5. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
Purchasing policy or business practice that requires sustainable serving ware
and if that is not available recyclable or biodegradable materials.
● Please describe how you encourage the use of reusable plates, utensils, glasses,
mugs and serving ware​. Evaluation Criteria: Purchasing policy or business
practice that requires sustainable serving ware and if that is not available
recyclable or biodegradable materials.
● Do you purchase food products or supplies such as snacks or meals that will
have less waste disposal because of less packaging and the ability to compost
food waste? Evaluation Criteria: A purchasing policy that requires less packing.
● Please describe how you avoid the use of Styrofoam products. Evaluation Criteria:
Purchasing ​policy that requires sustainable serving ware and if that is not
available, recyclable or biodegradable materials.
● Food is provided on platters that can be returned or in brown paper bags with some
recycled content and no print.​Evaluation Criteria: Description of a purchasing
policy or business practice that requires sustainable serving ware and if that is
not available in recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Social Equity Considerations:
The County supports ​social equity by continuous improvement on developing with ESBs,
DBEs, MWESbs​ so that everyone has an opportunity to contribute, participate, make
decisions, and shape our regional economy through income development. This is important
because diverse business development means everyone in our community is empowered to
provide the framework for their community's ​economic impacts​.
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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6. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
For social equity we have developed questions in three areas that pertain to procurement:
Workforce Diversity, MWESB, & Sub­Contracting.
Example questions and evaluation criteria:
Workforce Diversity:
● Describe in detail how your (agency/business/ organization) develops an internal
diverse workforce. How do you approach internal on­the­job training, mentoring,
technical training and/or professional development opportunities addressing diversity?
Describe the process(es) used to recruit women and minorities. What types of projects
or initiatives have been implemented?​Evaluation Criteria: Stories and Metrics
on the organization's workforce, recruitment, hiring, retention,
internship, and succession planning.
● How does your agency incorporate equity values, manage diversity and systematically
involve consumers, families and communities in all aspects of policy and service
delivery​? ​Evaluation Criteria: Must demonstrate through stories & metrics
how the organization has created new ways to successful workforce,
recruitment, hiring, retention, internship, and succession planning.
Social Equity Continued:
MWESB:
● How does your agency connect ESBs, DBEs, and MWESBs to the local community?
Evaluation Criteria: We are looking for community connections that help
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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7. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
establish and maintain the businesses that include, but are not limited to,
funding and commodities.
● If you are providing services please describe your organization's plan for
obtaining maximum utilization of State of Oregon certified MWESB firms.
Evaluation Criteria: Proposer describes plan for obtaining ​maximum
utilization of State of Oregon certified MWESB businesses in the delivery of services.
Sub­Contracting:
● Describe in detail how your organization includes diverse suppliers, vendors, and
subcontractors in the conduct of your business and supply chain. Please provide
specific examples.​ ​Evaluation Criteria: The proposer describes efforts,
practices, and/or processes to include a diverse vendor pool that
reflect the diversity of Multnomah County.
● How does your agency/organization connect subcontractors that are ESBs, DBEs,
and MWESBs to the local community ​Evaluation Criteria: We are looking
for community connections that help establish and maintain the
businesses that include, but are not limited to funding and
commodities.
Economic Impact Considerations: ​The pursuit to create full and equal access to
opportunities for all people that enable them to attain their full potential. We pay particular
attention to the development of income and wealth for communities most affected by
inequities. To address economic impact questions, you may include questions to address
other aspects such as delivery of services in a culturally responsive manner, employee
retention, job creation etc. (This would be the bolierplate language).
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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8. Sustainability Checklist: Quick Reference Guide for Sustainability
Definitions and Examples.
Example questions and evaluation criteria:
● Please describe how your service delivery has positive economic impacts for the
communities you are serving?​Evaluation Criteria: The proposer describes how
service delivery will help the client and community have positive economic
impacts. This may include developing a workforce that is from the community,
provides services that aid in obtaining job skills, and that assists in building a
business community where services are delivered.
● What economic impact innovations have you developed for the populations you serve
and explain how your agency integrates this into the delivery of services? ​Evaluation
Criteria: The proposer describes culturally responsive examples in service
delivery that will change person to person.
● Please describe workplace Improvement through policy and procedure review,
updating, and creation. ​Evaluation Criteria: We are looking for organizations that
are current on their policies and allow all levels of the organization to build the
policy and enforce the procedure.
● If you are new to providing proposed services, describe your capacity and capability to
be culturally responsive in the delivery the proposed services​. Evaluation Criteria​:
Proposer is able to describe the proposed services, including details such
as:what services will be provided; how long they have provided the same or
similar services; the number of clients served receiving similar services; how
they were able to bring clients into services; and how they transition clients out
of service upon completion of their goals and objectives.
If you need additional assistance go to the following:
Public Website: ​https://multco.us/purchasing/responsible­business­practices­vendors
MultcoCommons: https://commons.multco.us/central­purchasing
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