**U.S. Department of Energy**

**Quarterly Teleconference on Implementing**

**Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Requirements**

**April 27, 2006 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EDT)**

**[TOPICS]{.underline}**

-   Six Designated Biobased Products

-   Biobased FAR Case Update

-   Biobased Carpet Pilot Project

-   Results of Recycled Product Purchases in FY2005

-   Recycled Products to Focus on in FY2006: Construction Materials
    (concrete, nonpressure pipe, paint), Custodial Products (plastic
    trash bags, tissue), Office Products (toner cartridges, copy paper,
    binders, bristols), Vehicle Supplies (tires, vehicle parts, oil)

-   Product Info from Sites: 100% post-consumer paper and cartridgeless
    printers

**[PARTICIPANTS:]{.underline}**

**DOE HEADQUARTERS PREFERRED PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS:** Don Lentzen,
Richard Langston

**DOE-HQ Other:** Kevin Groppe, Betty Morris, Mike Raizen

**OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES:**

**Office of the Federal Environmental Executive:** Dana Arnold

**U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:** Sue Nogas

**CIVILIAN RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT**

> **Yucca Mountain Project:** Pat Turner

**ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY**

> **National Renewable Energy Lab:** Susan Huffnagle

**ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT**

> **Hanford Site:** Sandy Fritz
>
> **Office of River Protection:** Mike Barrett, Michael Royack
>
> **FOSSIL ENERGY:**
>
> **Strategic Petroleum Reserve:** Gabe Adams
>
> **NUCLEAR ENERGY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY**
>
> **Idaho National Laboratory:** Steve Abbott

**SCIENCE**

> **Ames Laboratory:** Dan Kayser
>
> **Argonne National Laboratory:** Greg Kulma
>
> **Brookhaven National Laboratory:** Caroline Polanish
>
> **Lawrence Berkeley:** Carl Schwab
>
> **Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education:** Ernest Whitaker
>
> **Oak Ridge National Laboratory:** Anne, Richard Martin
>
> **Pacific Northwest National Laboratory:** Sandra Cannon, Greg Kirk,
> Wayne Larson
>
> **Princeton Plasma Physics Lab:** Tom McGeachen, Kevin Ranahan
>
> **Stanford Linear Accelerator:** Pamela Wright-Brunache
>
> **Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility:** Dennis Dobbins
>
> **NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS**
>
> **Headquarters:** Steve Law
>
> **Kansas City Plant:** David Brown, Carolyn Lucas
>
> **Naval Reactors - Bettis:** Patrick Dodd
>
> **Naval Reactors - Pittsburgh:** Toni Denapoli, Patrick Dodd, Ron Sand
>
> **Nevada Test Site:** Al Karns
>
> **Sandia NM:** Sam McCord, Ralph Wrons

**Y-12 National Security Complex:** Anne Ostergaard, Aprell Patterson

**POWER ADMINISTRATIONS**

> **Bonneville:** Vickie Smith
>
> **Southwestern:** Gary Bridges
>
> **Western:** Gene Iley, Dave Pearson

**LEGACY MANAGEMENT:**

> **Grand Junction:** Julie Hendricks

**OTHER**

> Bob Anderson, Dave May... (Technical B), Lisa Rawls (Cons. Business),
> Josh Zahn (United Soybean), Chris W.

**[MINUTES]{.underline}**

**Welcome** - Don Lentzen (DOE-HQ Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Lead)

**Criteria for 6 Newly Designated Biobased Products** -- Dana Arnold
(Office of the Federal Environmental Executive)

-   On March 16, 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    designated 6 biobased items for Federal procurement. These items
    include

    -   Diesel fuel additives (90%) -- typically a maximum of 5% of the
        total diesel fuel; this item does not refer to a fuel that may
        have an additive already blended in

    -   Hydraulic fluids for mobile equipment (44%)

    -   Penetrating lubricants (68%)

    -   Roof coatings (20%)

    -   Water tank coatings (59%)

    -   Bedding, bed linens, and towels (12%) -- only product presently
        available with 12% biobased content is blankets (not bedding,
        sheets or towels)

-   The requirement to give preference to the first four products begins
    March 2007.

-   USDA will announce the requirement date for water tank coatings and
    bedding, bed linens, and towels in a future Federal Register notice
    when two or more manufacturers have these products on the market.

-   There are exemptions for combat, combat-related, and space
    shuttle-related applications of diesel fuel additives, hydraulic
    fluids, and penetrating lubricants. An example of the combat
    exemption would be use of these items in the M1 and Abrams tanks.

> Even though the effective date is March 2007, Dana recommended DOE
> sites begin now to verify whether revisions are needed to any
> specifications or guidelines the sites follow. She is hopeful that
> USDA will make the technical background information available for the
> designated products such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
> (EPA) does when designated products with recycled content.
>
> Question: What type of tanks are required to have biobased
> coatings---those for fire protection or drinking water?
>
> Answer: These requirements are for potable water storage systems,
> which have to be National Sanitation Foundation certified. There
> currently is only one biobased water tank coating on the market, and
> it is an NSF certified product.
>
> Question: Are plain cotton sheets biobased?
>
> Answer: No. USDA made a policy decision to exclude items made from
> "mature" materials, which it defines as items that had significant
> market penetration by 1972\-- the year of the last oil crisis. This
> means wool, linen, and silk bedding, bed linens, and towels also are
> excluded from the scope of this designated item.
>
> Don Lentzen: DOE has encouraged purchase of biobased products for
> several years now. Do not wait for USDA to designate products; buy
> them now if they work for you
>
> Link to <http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov/public/index.cfm> and
> http://www.usda.gov/procurement/programs/biobased/procurementtools.htm

**Biobased Product Criteria in Contracts, FAR Case, DOE Acquisition
Guideline** -- Richard Langston (DOE-HQ Office of Procurement and
Assistance Management)

-   DEAR already addresses the purchase of biobased products in clause
    970.52.23-2 so will not need to be updated.

-   FAR cases presently underway will be issued by March 2007

    -   FAR Case to require preference of designated biobased products

    -   FAR Case to require flow down of designated product requirements
        in construction & service contracts

    -   FAR Case to require preference of energy efficient products

-   The contents of the DOE Acquisition Letter 2002-05, which describes
    the role of the Green Acquisition Advocate, are now incorporated in
    Chapter 23 of the *Acquisition Guide*.

> Link to
> <http://professionals.pr.doe.gov/ma5/MA-5Web.nsf/Procurement/Acquisition+Guide?OpenDocument>

**Pilot of Biobased Carpet Results** -- Greg Kirk (Pacific Northwest
National Lab)

-   The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory began piloting biobased
    carpet mid-October 2005 with the carpet funded by the United Soybean
    Board, the installation by the carpet company, DesignWeave, and the
    staff time for evaluating the product and managing the project by
    PNNL.

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-   The carpet attributes are

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-   Backing: 55% biobased content by weight (polyurethane from soybeans)

-   Secondary Backing: 100% post-consumer recycled content

-   Facing: 25% recycled content and recyclable into carpet fiber

-   Price: Comparable to other high quality commercial nylon carpets

-   Qualifies for LEED (Green Building Rating System) credits

-   Meets CRI Green Label requirements for volatile organic compounds
    (no vinyl backing)

-   Keeps liquid spills above precoat layer for a minimum of 24 hours

-   Improves acoustics

-   Prevents static build up in excess of 3.5 KV (AATCC Test Method 134
    at 70^o^ F and 20% R.H.)

-   Warranty for period of time carpet is owned and maintained by
    original end-use purchaser

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-   Pilot results to date are

    -   Carpet laid easily.

    -   Carpet has performed well with no noticeable wear or problems
        after 6 months.

    -   Lack of vinyl/PCB or other negative offgassing was greatly
        appreciated by the custodian and conference room users.

    -   Slight smell of soybeans was pleasant but dissipated in 8-10
        days.

    -   Carpet has been spot cleaned and the drying time was faster than
        the norm.

    -   It is a product that works for PNNL and we will specify it in
        the future.

> Question: Is there GSA pricing for this product?
>
> Answer: Yes.

**DOE Results of FY2005 Recycled Product Purchases** -- Don Lentzen

-   About \$49 million of the recycled-content products designated were
    purchased -- two-thirds with recycled material. Overall 10% were
    purchased without recycled content and with no justified exception.

-   Some of the product successes were

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-   Office Furniture - \$7.5 million with 89% with recycled content

-   Landscaping Category -- 98.1% recovered, 99.9% with justified
    exceptions

**Recycled Content Products to Focus on in FY2006** -- Don Lentzen

-   Construction materials

    -   Concrete -- spent over \$5 million with 82% with recycled
        material

        -   0-40% coal fly ash or

        -   25-50% ground granulated blast furnace slag or

        -   10% cenospheres or

        -   5% silica fume

> Tom McGeachen (PPPL) noted that PPPL cannot use concrete with fly ash
> in their shielding block because of the low radiation level.

-   Nonpressure pipe (drainage pipes and conduit) -- spent \$1 million
    but only 59% with recycled content

    -   cement - same specs as for concrete or

    -   100% post-consumer HDPE or

    -   5% post-consumer PVC with total of 25% recycled PVC or

    -   16% post-consumer steel with total of 25% recycled steel

> Sam McCord (Sandia) noted that the nonpressure pipe manufacturer from
> whom Sandia's construction contractor purchases pipe is not UL
> certified to produce recycled PVC for electrical conduit. Ralph Wrons
> (Sandia) found the suppliers/manufacturers listed for nonpressure pipe
> on the EPA website supplied gravity drain pipe but not electrical
> conduit. The supporting information that lead to EPA designating
> nonpressure pipe is available at
> [[www.regulations.gov]{.underline}](../www.regulations.gov). Click on
> \"All documents,\" choose EPA in the Agency box, and enter the docket
> number in the Keyword box: EPA-HQ-RCRA-2001-0047.

-   Paint (latex) -- spent \$500K but only 10% with recycled content

    -   Reprocessed white/pastels - 20% recovered material

    -   Reprocessed earthtones/darks - 50% recovered material

    -   Consolidated - 100% recovered material

> General Services Administration catalog has over 100 reprocessed and
> environmentally friendly paints, but Sam McCord (Sandia) found many of
> those listed are not available. Visions recycled paint is on the GSA
> schedule, costs one-third the price of virgin paint, and has been
> tested at both the Pacific Northwest National Lab and Argonne National
> Lab for viscosity during application and single-coat coverage. Visions
> recycled paint can be obtained by ordering it through the local
> Sherwin Williams dealer, can be mixed to match particular shades, has
> only 17 gr/lt volatile organic compounds (EPA limits is 250 gr/lt),
> fewer hazardous ingredients than many commercial high end brands of
> paint, and will be batch tested upon request to ensure such low levels
> in any given batch.
>
> Green Seal is establishing a standard for recycled paint
> ([www.greenseal.org/draftdocs.htm](http://www.greenseal.org/draftdocs.htm)).

-   Custodial supplies

    -   Plastic trash bags -- spent \$1 million but only 69% with
        recycled content -- 10% post-consumer

> Tom McGeachen notes all plastic trash bag liners at PPPL have 100%
> post-consumer recycled content. Don Lentzen said biobased plastic
> trash bag liners are on the market and are biodegradable as well.

-   Tissue -- spent \$2 million with 81% with recycled content

    -   Facial -- 10% post-consumer

    -   Toilet -- 20% post-consumer

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-   Office supplies

    -   Toner cartridges -- spent \$9 million but only 32%
        remanufactured

> Don Lentzen said DOE's biggest expenditure is toner cartridges, and we
> did not do well. One obstacle is the lag time between new printers on
> the market and enough spent cartridges from which to remanufacture
> cartridges for the new printers. Otherwise, a wide variety of quality
> remanufactured cartridges are readily available at typically one-half
> the price. The challenge is to identify which manufacturers have
> quality control processes to ensure quality cartridges. DOE has a
> protocol on the website
> (<http://www.eh.doe.gov/p2/epp/cartridges.html>) to help sites find
> quality cartridge manufacturers.

-   Copy paper -- spent \$6 million but only 78% with recycled content

> The problem is not in purchasing the copy paper as much as the other
> office paper products lumped in this category, such as paper for
> daytimers, engineering pads, etc.

-   Binders -- spent \$1 million but only 57% with recycled content

-   Bristols (manila folders, index cards, cardstock covers) -- spent
    \$1 million but only 73% with recycled content

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-   Vehicle supplies

    -   Tires -- spent \$1M but only 7% retread

> Only available for large equipment not passenger vehicles.

-   Rebuilt vehicle parts -- spent \$1M but only 9% rebuilt

> This may be a reporting problem in that neither we nor vendor often
> recognize that part being purchased is rebuilt.

-   Re-refined oil **--** spent \$360K but only 69% re-refined

> Re-refined oil is carried by Grease Monkey and most Jiffy Lubes.
> Because so many fleets are subcontracted from GSA, this seems to be
> more a problem of GSA not specifying re-refined oil or our contracts
> with GSA not requiring it. DOE sites should encourage their Fleet
> Managers to specify re-refined in sub-contract.
>
> Don complimented all concerned for successes achieved in purchasing
> many of the designated products with recycled content and meeting the
> secretarial goals for low level waste using the 1993 and 1998
> baselines. Don and Richard Langston plan to call the sites to discuss
> what the obstacles are to purchasing the designated products to see of
> they can help at the headquarters level.
>
> Question: Our goal was 100% by 2005. Now we only have 100% with no
> deadline.
>
> Answer: Goal is still 100%. The justified exemptions helps toward the
> 100% when a product does not meet the CAP (cost, availability,
> performance). Try to minimize the excursions from those kinds of
> excuses. Whenever and wherever possible purchase recycled and biobased
> products along with the other designated and not designated
> environmental attributes.
>
> Link to <https://www.eh.doe.gov/P2/ap/sites2005.cfm>

**100% Post-Consumer Copy Paper Contract** -- Susan Huffnagle, Fay
Hoover (National Renewable Energy Lab)

-   Switched to 100% post-consumer recycled content paper

-   Piloted it first at the reproduction center, then on hall copiers
    and office printers

-   Pay \$3.78 per ream, which is \$0.40 more than price they paid for
    30% post-consumer recycled content paper

-   Has higher count (40 count) than NREL's previous paper and is
    brighter

-   Has no problem recycling this paper. A proper paper broker will find
    a recycler that does not have concern over fiber length

> Question: Who is the manufacturer?
>
> Answer: Boise Aspen. the wholesaler is United Stationery. Although the
> paper is a bit more expensive the price will go down as more of us
> purchase 100% post-consumer content paper.
>
> Sam McCord said Sandia is pursuing 100% post-consumer recycled content
> paper. Sandia-NM's procurement and environmental departments are now
> using it, and an expansion to the rest of the site will begin when 30%
> post-consumer recycled content paper increases in price to be more
> expensive than the 100%. The increase is anticipated prior to July
> 2006. The current paper broker will not take paper with 100%
> post-consumer content so Sandia is considering changing recycling
> vendors to one whose broker will take it.
>
> Link to <http://www.eh.doe.gov/p2/epp/awards.html#success>

**Toner Cartridgeless Printer** -- Tom McGeachen (Princeton Plasma
Physics Lab)

-   Purchasing cartridgeless printers (Xerox 8500/8550) with solid ink
    crayon

-   Has only waste of plastic container that holds the ink stick and the
    cardboard packaging

-   Has no tabloid size available - only letter and legal sizes at this
    time

-   Must be a shared/station networked printer because of cost, which is
    \$1600

> Sam McCord said Sandia is also using the 8550s and love them. The
> printer duplexes and has good energy saving features. A waste
> cartridge collects wax from the print heads when the printer is
> powered down. The solution to conserve wax is to never turn off the
> printer and rely on the sleep functions instead. It is a balance of
> energy vs. material conservation.

**Next teleconference**

-   Date -- July 27, 2006

-   Other potential topics for the next teleconference. Please share
    your ideas. Some suggested so far are

    -   Fleet products, biofuels

    -   Substitutes for ozone depleting substances and new EPA
        stratospheric ozone protection rules

    -   Electronic office equipment purchasing standard (EPEAT)

    -   Sustainable buildings federal memorandum of understanding

    -   Life cycle comparisons of products with seeming conflicting
        environmental qualities, such as recycled and zero VOC paint,
        solid plastic recycled and chipboard clipboards

    -   Template language for office supplies and paper price
        comparisons

    -   Dishware

    -   Waterless urinals

**Adjourn**

**A few rules for successful teleconferencing**:

-   Because we only have a limited number of telephone lines available,
    all coordinators at one site should participate in the
    teleconference together on one telephone.

-   Keep your phones on mute (if you are using a speakerphone) unless
    you are speaking.

-   Announce your name and affiliation before speaking each time.

-   All participants will be asked to introduce yourselves at the start
    of the teleconference and given the opportunity for comments and
    questions at the end of the teleconference.

**[SEVEN NEWLY DESIGNATED RECYCLED PRODUCTS]{.underline}**

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by May 1, 2005**

-   Blasting Grit

-   Furniture - Office

-   Pipe -- Non-Pressure

-   Racks - Bicycle

-   Ramps -- Modular Threshold

-   Roofing Materials

-   Vehicle Parts -- Rebuilt

Web Info: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products.htm

**[SIX NEWLY DESIGNATED BIOBASED PRODUCTS]{.underline}**

**Begin Purchasing and Collecting Purchasing Data by March 16, 2007
except for those with asterisk, which will have later purchasing date**

-   Lubricants, penetrating -- 68% biobased content by weight

-   Diesel fuel additives -- 90%

-   Urethane roof coating/sealant -- 20%

-   Hydraulic fluids for mobile equipment (tractors, etc.) -- 44%

-   \*Bedding, bed linens, towels (User Housing Facilities?) -- 12%

-   \*Water tank coating/sealant -- 59%

Web Info: http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov/public/index.cfm

**[SOURCES OF INFORMATION]{.underline}**

**DOE's "Environmentally Preferable Products Program" website for access
to the reporting site, annual report, teleconference agenda and minutes,
and sources of helpful information**

U.S. Department of Energy's RCRA 6002/Executive Order 13101 home page

<http://www.eh.doe.gov/P2/epp/>

**Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Executive Orders, Regulations,
Guidelines**

Office of the Federal Environmental Executive

[www.ofee.gov]{.underline}

**Buying Green**

FedCenter

http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/buygreen/

**What Is Green Purchasing, Anyway?**

Office of Personnel Management

[www.golearn.gov]{.underline} (Free Catalog Section, then Legislatively
Mandated\...Topics)

**GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION**

**Environmentally Preferable Products**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

<http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf>

**Environmentally Preferable Products**

U.S. Department of Energy

http://www.eh.doe.gov/P2/epp/

**Alternative Fuels and Vehicles**

U.S. Department of Energy

[http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/federal/]{.underline}

**Biobased Products**

U.S. Department of Agriculture

[http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov/public/index.cfm]{.underline}

**Energy/Water Efficient Products**

Federal Energy Management Program

http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/

**Recycled Products and Suppliers**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement
Guidelines

[http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/index.htm]{.underline}

**Materials Exchange Products**

(especially chemicals, equipment, and hazardous materials) at other DOE
facilities

Log on with user name (erhquser) and password (erhqdoe)

DOE Complex Wide Materials Exchange

[http://wastenot.er.doe.gov/DOEmatex/index.html]{.underline}

**Substitutes for Ozone-Depleting Products**

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

[http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/lists/index.html]{.underline}

**SPECIFIC PRODUCT CATEGORIES**

**Carpet**

> **Contract Language and Standards/Guidelines**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> Select "carpet" at
> [http://yosemite.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open]{.underline}
>
> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/carpet.htm]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Carpet"
>
> [http://www.greenseal.org/cgrs/Carpet_CGR.pdf]{.underline}

**Cement/Concrete**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/cement.htm]{.underline}

**Cleaning Products**

> **Contract Language and Standards/Guidelines**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> Select "concrete" at
> [http://yosemite.epa.gov/oppt/eppstand2.nsf/Pages/Search.html?Open]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Industrial and Institutional
> Cleaners"
>
> <http://www.greenseal.org/certproducts.htm#cleaners>

**Construction Materials and Products**

> **Contract Language**
>
> U.S. Department of Energy
>
> [http://www.pnl.gov/doesustainabledesign/]{.underline} , see "Letters
> of Intent, Construction Contracts"

**Paint**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/paint.htm]{.underline}
>
> **Suppliers**
>
> Green Seal "Choose Green Report: Architectural Paints"
>
> <http://www.greenseal.org/draftdocs.htm>

**Toner Cartridges**

> **Recycled Content Specifications and Suppliers**
>
> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>
> [http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/toner.htm]{.underline}

**[DOWNLOAD AND RUN BEES 3.0 SOFTWARE]{.underline}**

**Register for software at
[[http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/registration.html]{.underline}](http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bees/registration.html)
(no cost involved):**

-   Fill out registration form

-   Click submit

**To install BEES 3.0d:**

-   Download bees30dzip.exe, a 14.6 MB self-extracting file. (If
    prompted during the download, choose to save the file).

-   From Windows Explorer, double click on bees30dzip.exe to start self-
    extraction process.

-   When prompted, choose a folder to unzip the file to and click Unzip.

-   Using Windows Explorer, go to the folder you specified in Step 3,
    double click on Setup.exe and follow the directions on the screen.
    You will need to choose a folder in which to install BEES 3.0d. This
    folder must be different from the one you specified in Step 3.

**To run BEES 3.0d:**

-   Select Start-\>Programs-\>BEES-\>BEES 3.0d **OR**

-   Go to "My Computer" or wherever you can see all folders and files on
    your computer. Do not try to open the BEES exe file from a software
    application, such as Word.

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```
-   Go to where you stored the BEES files (probably in a folder labeled
    "BEES")

-   Open the BEES30d.exe file

-   Go to "Analysis" at top of window

-   Go to "Define Parameters"