Green Initiative Analysis:
Courtney Consulting Solutions will offer professional guidance on how to do business with the government with an eye towards increasing your competitiveness for green contracts. ‘Greening’ the government is identified as a top federal initiative giving high priority to contractors that use best practices and solutions to help make their operations as environmentally friendly as possible.
There are many misconceptions businesses have. They think going green is hard, inconvenient or expensive. Even today, many think you can’t do the right thing and still make a profit. However, more and more businesses are doing well and doing right at the same time through improved efficiencies or favorable life cycle costs.
We can help you realize the value and opportunity associated with green practices for people, planet and profits. If you are novice at marketing green products and services, take the time to learn the terminology and process. Studies show that environmental protection and small business profit can go hand in hand. CCS can provide the insight, inspiration and tools to create and implement sustainable solutions.
The Competitive Advantage of Going Green
Learn how to position your business to win government contracts under the proposed five percent "Green Contracting Goal". Congress and the Presidential administration have become aggressive about pushing agencies to adopt more environmentally friendly management and procurement practices as the cost of oil fluctuates and the issue of climate change moves towards the forefront of national political agenda. From the President down, a powerful message is being sent that the environment is taken seriously and the federal government is taking the lead on green purchases.
- In 2007, Executive Order 13423 requires that federal acquisition of recycled content, energy efficient; biobased and environmentally preferable products and services are met towards achieving specific goals. It directs agencies to improve energy efficiency and reduce green house gasses in buildings and transportation by 30% and water consumption by 16% by the end of 2015.
- Congress raised the green bar even higher with the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which requires federal managers to cut fossil fuel use at new and renovated government facilities to 55% by 2010 and 100% by 2030.
- The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive encourages and promotes sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the federal government.
- There is a “Buy Bio” Program led by the US Department of Energy and Agriculture.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) with its enormous purchasing power (it spends 25% of the government procurement dollars) is using its unique position as the governments premier procurement agency to help the federal government meet their environmental mandates. They implemented “Go Green Initiatives” signed in 2006 and it gives preference to products that are recycled, non-toxic, or have environmentally friendly attributes. They have also adapted the concept of “sustainable design” in terms of construction and operation of buildings to reduce negative impacts on the environment and maximize the health and comfort of building occupants. “GSA can, and should, play an enormous role in preserving our nation’s precious natural resources,” GSA President said at a GSA Expo in 2008.
- The Department of Defense (DoD) explicitly states, “Green products and services must be considered as the first choice in ALL procurements.” In fact, the DoD requires the buyer justify a decision not to procure a green alternative in accordance with the requirements of Federal green procurement preference programs.
- The EPA has launched a Database for Environmentally Preferable Goods and Services and acts as a one-stop-shop for environmental information on products and services that the federal government buys.
Learn more about Greenhouse Gases and how to measure your impact.
Simply stated, green purchasing includes the acquisition of recycled content products, environmentally preferable products and services, biobased products, energy-and water-efficient products, alternative fuel vehicles, products using renewable energy and alternatives to hazardous or toxic chemicals (OFEE, 2007). Green procurement does not intend to rewrite the book on buying, but merely adds an environmental dimension to the decision-making process. The standard purchasing criteria of price, quality and availability remain paramount. The environmental impacts of a good or service procured can be seen as part of the quality criterion. It doesn’t need to be complicated; in fact, it can be easy to form a green strategy. Our staff has won many awards regarding sustainability and is well connected in this space. We can get you started.