**COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS**

**OPERATIONAL SERVICES DIVISION - ROOM 1017**

**JOHN McCORMACK STATE OFFICE BUILDING**

**ONE ASHBURTON PLACE**

**BOSTON, MA 02108-1552**

**REQUEST FOR RESPONSE (RFR)**

**RFR#GRO16**

### FOR

**CLEANING PRODUCTS, ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE**

Additional information on this working group is available from Marcia
Deegler at 617 720-3356 or Scot Case at 610-373-7703.

**[Products Covered in the Following Excerpts:]{.underline}**

Category 1. General Purpose Cleaners

Category 2. Bathroom Cleaners

Category 3. Glass Cleaners

Category 4. Carpet Cleaners

Category 5. Disinfectants

Category 6. Floor Care Products

Category 7. Hand Soaps

**EXCERPTS:**

**[CATEGORIES 1,2, AND 3 PRODUCT FORMULATION MANDATORY HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS]{.underline}**

**1. TOXICITY**

The *undiluted* product **must** not be toxic to humans. Dispensing
system concentrates **must** be tested as used. A product is considered
toxic if any of the following criteria apply:

Oral lethal dose 50 (LD50) ≤ 2000 mg/kg

Inhalation lethal concentration (LC50) ≤ 20 mg/L

If the vapor phase concentration of the product at room temperature is
less than 20 mg/L, it should be tested at its saturation concentration.
If it is not toxic at this concentration, it passes the inhalation
criteria.

Toxicity shall be measured on the product as a whole. Alternatively, a
mixture need not be tested if existing toxicity information demonstrates
that each of the ingredients complies. Ingredients that are nonvolatile
do not require inhalation toxicity testing, and ingredients that are not
readily absorbed through the skin do not require dermal toxicity
testing. It is assumed that the toxicity of the individual component
compounds are weighted and summed and that there are not synergistic
effects.

The toxicity testing procedures should meet the requirements put forth
by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals. These protocols include Acute Oral
Toxicity Test (TG 401), Acute Inhalation Toxicity Test (TG 403), and
Acute Dermal Toxicity Test (TG 402).

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**2. CARCINOGENS AND REPRODUCTIVE TOXINS**

The undiluted products **must** not contain any ingredients that are
carcinogens or that are known to cause reproductive toxicity, as defined
by the following agencies:

*Carcinogens*: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
National Toxicology Program (NTP), US Environmental Protection Agency,
or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

*Reproductive Toxicity*: Those chemicals listed by the State of
California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of
1986 (CA Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 2, Subdiv. 1, Chapter
3, Sect. 1200, *et seq.*). Naturally occurring elements and chlorinated
organics, which may be present as a result of chlorination of the water
supply, are not considered ingredients if the concentrations are below
the applicable maximum contaminant levels in the National Primary
Drinking Water Standards found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Part 141.

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13 Required Documentation.

**3. SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION**

The *undiluted* product **must** not be corrosive to the skin or eyes.
Dispensing-system concentrates **must** be tested as used. The undiluted
cleaning product **must** not be corrosive to the skin, as tested using
the Human Skin Construct systems (Liebsch et al. 2000; Fentem et al.
1998). The undiluted cleaning product **must** also not be corrosive to
the eye as tested using the bovine opacity and permeability test (BCOP)
(Sina et al. 1995) after a 10-minute exposure. The PMT will also accept
the results of other peer-reviewed or standard in vitro or in vivo test
methods demonstrating that the product mixture is not corrosive.

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**4. SKIN SENSITIZATION**

The *undiluted* product **must** not be a skin sensitizer as tested by
the OECD Guidelines for testing chemicals, Section 406. Dispensing
system concentrates **must** be tested as used. The PMT shall also
accept the results of other standard test methods, such as those
described in Buehler (1994) or Magnusson and Kligman (1969), as proof
that the product or its ingredients are not skin sensitizers.

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**5. COMBUSTIBILITY**

The *undiluted* product **must** not be combustible. The product or 99%
of by volume of the product ingredients **must** have a flashpoint above
150 F, as tested using either the Cleveland Open Cup Tester (ASTM
D92-97) or a closed cup method International Standards Organization
(ISO) 13736 or ISO 2719. Alternatively the product **must** not sustain
a flame when tested using ASTM D 4206.

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**6. PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG, TROPOSPHERIC OZONE PRODUCTION, AND INDOOR**

**AIR QUALITY**

The product *as used* **must** not contain substances that contribute
significantly to the

production of photochemical smog, tropospheric ozone and poor indoor air
quality. The

volatile organic compound (VOC) and of the product *as used* shall be
determined by the CA Air Resources Board Method 310 and **must** not
exceed the following:

· 1% by weight for general purpose and bathroom cleaners

· 3% by weight for glass cleaners

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13 Required Documentation.

Bidders **must** certify compliance with this criteria by also
submitting a copy of the VOC Consumer and Commercial Product
Registration and Certification Form already on file with the
Massachusetts DEP.

**7. AQUATIC TOXICITY**

The product *as used* **must** not be toxic to aquatic life. A compound
is considered not toxic to aquatic life if it meets one or more of the
following criteria:

Acute LC50 for algae, daphnia, or fish = 100 mg/L

For purposes of demonstrating compliance with this requirement, aquatic
toxicity testing is not required if sufficient aquatic toxicity data
exist for each of the product's ingredients to demonstrate that the
product mixture complies. Aquatic toxicity tests shall follow the
appropriate protocols in ISO 7346.2 for fish and in 40 CFR 797, Subpart
B for other aquatic organisms.

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**8. EUTROPHICATION** (Nutrient Loading)

The product *as used* **must** not contain more than 0.5% by weight of
total phosphorus.

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13 Required Documentation.

**9. AQUATIC BIODEGRADABILITY**

Each of the organic ingredients **must** exhibit ready biodegradability
in accordance with the OECD definition except for a FIFRA-registered
ingredient in bathroom cleaner. However, all other ingredients in a
FIFRA-registered bathroom cleaner **must** comply. Biodegradability will
be measured by one of the following methods: ISO 9439 carbon dioxide
evolution test, ISO 10708 (two-phase close bottle test), ISO 10707
(close bottle test), ISO 7827 (dissolved organic carbon removal).
Specifically within a 28-day test, the ingredient shall meet one of the
following criteria within 10 days of the time when the biodegradation
first reaches 10%:

Removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) = \>70%

Biological oxygen demand (BOD) = \>60%

\% of BOD theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) = \>60%

\% CO2 evolution of theoretical = \>60%

For organic ingredients that do not exhibit ready biodegradability in
these tests, the manufacturer may demonstrate biodegradability in sewage
treatment plants using the Coupled Units Test found in OECD 303A by
demonstrating dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal \>90%.

Testing is not required for any ingredient for which sufficient
information exists concerning its biodegradability, either in
peer-reviewed literature or databases or proving that the ingredient was
tested in accordance with standard test procedures.

# Required Documentation

See Group A in #13 Required Documentation.

**10. CONCENTRATES**

The product **must** be a concentrate, except for FIFRA-registered
bathroom cleaners.

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13 Required Documentation.

**11. FRAGRANCES**

Manufacturers **must** identify any fragrances on their MSDS. Any
ingredient added to a **MANDATORY** product as a fragrance **must**
follow the Code of Practice of the International Fragrance Association.

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13 Required Documentation.

**12. PROHIBITED INGREDIENTS**

The product **must** not contain the following ingredients:

Alkylphenol ethoxylates

Dibutyl phthalate

Heavy metals including arsenic, lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium,
mercury, nickel

or selenium

Ozone depleting compounds

# Required Documentation

See Group B in #13. Required Documentation.

**13. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION**

# Group A

For mandatory specifications #1 (Toxicity), #3 (Skin and Eye
Irritation), #4 Skin Sensitization), #5 (Combustibility), #7 (Aquatic
Toxicity), and #9 (Aquatic Biodegradability), Bidders **must** comply
with at least one of the following submission requirements:

a\) Bidders may submit Green Seal certification or other independent
third party verification.

b\) Alternatively, Bidders may submit company (in-house) or independent
laboratory test

results, including test protocols and detailed test results. To identify
a list of ASTM approved laboratories go to www.astm.org.

c\) Bidders may submit information from a literature search that
demonstrates compliance with the specification for each ingredient. For
specification #1 (Toxicity) and #7 (Aquatic Toxicity), once toxicity
data for each ingredient has been identified, Bidders should use the
formula outlined in Appendix II to determine whether the product meets
these specifications.

# Group B

For mandatory specifications #2 (Carcinogens and Reproductive Toxins),
#6 (Photochemical Smog, Tropospheric Ozone Production and Indoor Air
Quality), #8 (Eutrophication), #10 (Concentrates), #11 (Fragrances), and
#12 (Prohibited Ingredients), Bidders **must** comply with at least one
of the following submission requirements:

a\) Bidders may submit Green Seal certification or other third party
verification as proof that

products meet the specification.

b\) Where applicable, Bidders may identify in their Response actual
formulation data or information related to this specification (e.g.
actual VOC level).

**In all circumstances, Bidders must complete and sign Attachment D.**

To assist bidders in reviewing and complying with these specifications,
a number of web sites are listed in Appendix III of this RFR that may be
useful to Bidders.

CATEGORIES 4 AND 5 PRODUCT FORMULATION MANDATORY HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

All Bidders **must** meet the following mandatory specifications to be
eligible for award. To respond to these mandatories, Bidders **must**
certify on Attachment D that all products being proposed in their
response meet the mandatory specifications below. To be eligible to
receive points for any **desirables** noted, Bidders **must** submit the
required documentation.

**Category 4 - CARPET CLEANERS** (excluding spot cleaners)

# 

# Mandatory

Products **must** meet the Mandatory Health and Environmental Standards
established in Section VII.

Products **must** exhibit a VOC limit of not greater than 1%

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit all required documentation as outlined in
Section VII #13.

**Category 5 - DISINFECTANTS / SANITIZERS**

# Mandatory

Products **must** meet the Mandatory Health and Environmental
Specifications established in Section VII EXCEPT for the active
ingredients with respect to biodegradability.

Products **must** exhibit a VOC limit of not greater than 1%

Products **must** be registered by the US Environmental Protection
Agency

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit all required documentation as outlined in
Section VII #13. Bidders **must**

also submit a copy of the products EPA stamped label.

CATEGORIES 6 AND 7 MANDATORY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

**Category 6 - FLOOR CARE PRODUCTS (3 applications)**

**A. Floor Finishes**

**B. Floor Strippers**

**C. Maintenance Products**

To be awarded in this category, Bidders **must** offer all three
applications.

In addition, each application **must** be designed to work together in
an environmentally

preferable system of overall floor care.

Bidders **must** provide information on how each of the components works
within such a floor care system. Particular attention should be paid to
both the recoating and stripping processes. (e.g. Does the floor have to
be stripped each time a finish is applied, or can it be deep scrubbed
and recoated or just mopped and recoated?)

**A) Floor Finishes**

# 

# Mandatory

The products **must** be free of zinc and other heavy metals.

Desirable - It is desirable that the products:

not contain phthalates

not contain glycol ethers or ammonia

**B) Floor Strippers**

# Mandatory

The products **must** be free of zinc and other heavy metals.

Desirable - It is desirable that the products (in concentrate form):

have a pH between 2.5 and 12

exhibit a VOC limit of not greater than 1%

not contain glycol ethers or ammonia

**C) Maintenance Products**

# Mandatory

The products **must** be free of zinc and other heavy metals.

Desirable - It is desirable that the products:

? not contain phthalates

? exhibit a VOC limit of not greater than 1%

? not contain glycol ethers and/or ammonia

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit third party certification or MSDS and the
manufacturer's affidavit to demonstrate compliance. Submit Attachment D.

**Category 7 -- HAND SOAPS**

# Mandatory

The products **must not** be anti-microbial (a low level preservative is
permissible, however, in order to prevent bacterial growth)

[Desirable]{.underline}

It is desirable that products have a pH between 6 to 8.5

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit MSDS and a manufacturer's affidavit that it is
not anti-microbial to demonstrate compliance. Bidders **must** also
submit Attachment D.

**OPTIONAL CATEGORY**

**JANITORIAL PAPER/TEXTILE SUPPLIES (Awarded Bidders Only)**

Only those Bidders who are awarded under this contract to supply
cleaning products may also provide paper or textile products and any
related dispensing equipment for the paper products. Any such paper
products **must** meet or exceed the minimum federal standards and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts standards for post-consumer recycled
content and **must** be unbleached or bleached without the use of
chlorine (Processed Chlorine Free). Textile products (e.g. rags)
**must** be made of reclaimed/recycled textiles. (See Attachment K for
links to the standards mentioned above).

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit manufacturer's verification of recycled content
and bleaching and submit Attachment K.

CATEGORIES 1--7 NON-PRODUCT FORMULATION: MANDATORY AND DESIRABLE
SPECIFICATIONS

This section addresses issues which are not related to product
formulations. The criteria include both **mandatory and desirable
specifications.** Bidders must meet the mandatory portion in order to be
eligible for an award, while the desirables are optional, but may
represent extra points in the evaluation process.

**Desirable** specifications are included in Attachment C. All Bidders
**must** fill out and return

Attachment C with their response in order to be eligible for extra
credit.

**1. TRAINING**

# Mandatory

The product manufacturer, their distributor, or a third party **must**
offer training or training materials in the proper use of the product.
These **must** include step-by-step instructions for the proper
dilution, use, disposal, and the use of equipment.

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that such training and support include, but not be
limited to:

-   on-site initial training for use of products

-   ongoing training either on-site or at designated sites throughout
    the Commonwealth

-   a phone number, preferably toll-free, which departments can call to
    receive instructions

and assistance on product use

In responding to this section on training services offered, Bidders
**must** provide the following information on Attachment F:

-   description of all available training with a description of the type
    and scope of training to be offered in Massachusetts

-   identification of the number and expertise of staff and personnel
    available to conduct

> such training

-   whether a phone number for assistance is available (number should be
    provided in the response) and the hours during which such a number
    is accessible

-   any other information relevant to the bidder's ability to provide
    substantial training and support to departments throughout the
    Commonwealth

-   description of whether there are any costs associated with training
    or support and provide details on those costs. It is **desirable**
    that initial training and additional training during the contract
    term be offered at no additional cost. Any associated training costs
    will be paid for by the using department.

# Required Documentation

Complete Attachment F and/or include a separate sheet with that
information.

**2. PACKAGING**

# Mandatory

The primary package **must** be recyclable. Alternatively, manufacturers
may provide for returning and refilling their packages.

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that a Bidder's primary and/or secondary packaging
be made with a percentage of post-consumer recycled material and
represent a source reduction measure.

# Required Documentation

Use Attachment G to specify packaging, recyclable materials, and any
percentages of

recycled content (particularly post-consumer). Include a description of
any return /

collections program available and identify any measures to reduce the
amount of overall

packaging.

**3. LABELING**

# Mandatory

The manufacturer's label **must** state clearly and prominently that
dilution with water from

the cold tap is recommended and shall state the recommended level of
dilution. The

manufacturer shall also include detailed instructions for proper use and
disposal and for

the use of personal protective equipment.

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that:

products have color coded labels in lieu of dyes and be made with a
percentage of postconsumer

recycled content.

Manufacturers have product-labeling systems to assist non-English
speaking or illiterate personnel.

# Required Documentation

Bidders **must** submit Green Seal or another third party certification
to show compliance, or

test results from an independent lab that demonstrate such compliance.

**4. DISPENSING EQUIPMENT**

# 

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that Bidders provide an option for dispensing
equipment that reduces worker exposure to chemicals and promotes the
appropriate use of the cleaners.

# Required Documentation

To receive credit, Bidders **must** provide a description of available
equipment and information on the features that reduce risk and exposure.

**5. NON-ANIMAL TESTING**

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that Bidders products not be tested on animals. The
PMT wants to discourage animal testing and will accept the results of
past peer-reviewed or standard tests demonstrating compliance with a
criterion. In addition, a mixture need not be tested (or re-tested) if
existing information demonstrates that each of the ingredients complies
with a criterion. The PMT may also accept non-animal (in-vitro) test
results, providing that the test methods are referenced in peer-reviewed
literature and the manufacturer provides the reasons for selecting the
particular test method. (This section applies to Sections 4.1, 4.3, &
4.7 in the Green Seal Standard).

It is also **desirable** that manufacturers have a non-animal test
policy in place, or plan to

implement such a test policy in the near future.

# Required Documentation

To receive credit, Bidders **must** submit a statement on corporate
non-animal testing policies.

Test results or data that do not employ animal tests will also receive
credit.

**6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that Bidders provide information as to whether their
products contain ingredients that may be identified as asthma-causing
agents (asthmagens). Such ingredients may include, but not be limited
to:

Monoethanolamine (CAS 141-43-5)

Tall Oil or Rosin (CAS 8002-26-4)

Chlorhexidine (CAS 55-56-1)

Chloramine T (CAS 127-65-1)

Ammonium Quaternary Disinfectants (May include, but not be limited to
the following CAS

#s: 8001-54-5, 121---54-0, 122-18-9, 8044-71-1, 123-03-5, 122-19-0)

It is **desirable** that Bidders indicate whether any product being bid
is a respiratory irritant or may aggravate existing respiratory
conditions.

# Required Documentation

Bidders should complete and return Attachment H to provide this
information.

**7. CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT**

# Desirable

It is **desirable** that Bidders provide information concerning
environmental initiatives being

conducted or planned in other company operations. Such efforts may
include, but not be

limited to a Bidder who has:

-   instituted a publicly available corporate environmental policy that
    can be measured by

established goals

-   implemented an environmental management system such as ISO 14001

-   introduced recycled and/or environmentally preferable products into
    other operational

> areas, such as using: recycled-content paper that meets the federal
> standards for all printing and publishing needs (e.g. brochures,
> advertising, catalogs) and attempting to promote renewable resources
> (e.g.bio-based products) vehicle maintenance products (e.g. re-refined
> oil, antifreeze, retread tires) and/or alternative fuel vehicles for
> deliveries

-   Energy Star (energy efficient) office equipment

# Required Documentation

Include a description of the information requested on a separate page,
clearly identified, in

the Bidder's Response.