Environmental Management Action Plan (EMAP)

Subsistence Supply Chain Green Procurement Program Document ID: T3-2.04

This is an UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT printed on 05/04/18 for reference only. 

The current copy is available on-line on the DLA Troop Support Go Green Program eWorkplace site.

Document Control Information 

Program: Subsistence Green Procurement EMAP

ID Number: T3-2.04_ EMAP.Subsistence.Green.Procurement

Owner: RSB

Approver: Subsistence Supply Chain Green Team

ISO 14001 Reference: 4.3.3

Document Change History (as hidden text, click ¶ to view)

Revision Number Revision Date Nature of Revision Document Reviewers

13 24 January 2017

14 10 March 2017

Background 

The DLA Troop Support Subsistence Supply Chain developed a Green Procurement Program (GPP) that is customized to 

its unique business practices and customer expectations. The Supply Chain completed its first screening in 1999 to identify 

items in the supply chain in which the end item could have the potential to be more environmentally friendly. Biobased 

items are made from renewable plant or animal sources. After years of research and coordination, the first biobased, 

biodegradable items to enter the Subsistence inventory were recycled plastic, biodegradable garbage bags in 2006, 

followed shortly by the biodegradable compartmental tray. Both of these items are components of the Unitized Group 

Ration (UGR) program. In 2007, Subsistence incorporated biobased cutlery into its catalog. This success was awarded the 

2008 White House Closing the Circle Environmental Award. 

Subsistence formalized its existing GPP through the formation of a team and the development of a Green Procurement 

Program Plan. The plan, which was approved by Subsistence’s Senior Leaders in September 2009 (updated March 2014), 

addresses the scope of the program; roles and responsibilities; competency training; communications; standard operating 

procedures; program monitoring; and management reviews. 

Subsistence procures almost 90-95% of its items through the Prime Vendor Program and the fact that most of these items 

are food items limits green product opportunities. Items in the Prime Vendor Program are assigned Local Stock Numbers 

(LSNs), for which associated product characteristics and logistics data are keyed into the EBS/STORES system. The 

Supply Chain has taken the initiative to input Environmental Attribute Codes (ENACs) for those LSNs that meet 

environmental criteria. Note that LSNs are not maintained within the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) and 

therefore those LSNs labeled with ENACs are not searchable in the FLIS database, only in EBS. Less than 10% of items 

procured by Subsistence (Operational Rations, Food Service and Field Feeding Equipment) are assigned National Stock 

Numbers (NSNs). NSN items are managed in FLIS and can also be assigned ENACs. These items are searchable in FLIS. 

The Subsistence Green Procurement Team will continue to seek opportunities to integrate biobased, and biodegradable 

items into the Supply Chain. Currently, the team is working with equipment manufacturers to review and identify 

qualified Food Service Equipment (FSE) with environmental attributes (i.e. FEMP/Energy Star compliant, Recycled 

Material content, Water conservation, etc.). While the team is able to incorporate green procurement into these aspects of 

the Supply Chain, again, 99% of its items are food and food-related products. Therefore, it must be realized that in terms 

of transitioning to “Green Items”, opportunities are limited to less than 1% of the items in the Subsistence Supply Chain. 

Objectives
Environmental Management Action Plan (EMAP)

Subsistence Supply Chain Green Procurement Program Document ID: T3-2.04

This is an UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT printed on 05/04/18 for reference only. 

The current copy is available on-line on the DLA Troop Support Go Green Program eWorkplace site.

The Subsistence Green Procurement Program’s primary goal is to incorporate green procurement practices where feasible. 

This will be achieved by:

(A) Screening the marketplace to evaluate the availability of green products and services offered by Subsistence.

(B) Increasing and maintaining Subsistence personnel awareness of Green Procurement.

(C) Communicating with customers in order to learn of any requirements, interests, or opportunities related to 

Green Procurement.

Responsible Parties 

Subsistence GPP Team Leads :

Targets/ Action Items

No. Action Item Responsibility Due Date Status

14

Increase Subsistence personnel awareness about green 

considerations through internal communications (i.e., Green Tips, 

Product Display/Usage, etc.).

On-Going On-Going

24 Track development of plastic bag to hold MRE. Investigating 

reduced packaging material or biobased content. On-going

Multiple options 

currently being 

tested at 

NATICK.

25 Ensure that a check box for the ENAC code is included in the new 

STORES system. 

12/31/2017 

In progress – A 

functional 

specification 

sheet is being 

developed for 

the new 

STORES 

Version.

28 Monitor the development and availability of 75% biobased cutlery. 12/30/2017 On-Going.

29

Coordinate with Subsistence Contracting to have sustainability 

procurement clauses installed into DLA solicitations where possible 

and applicable

On-Going On-Going

30 Research the possibility of a USAF Compostable/biodegradable 

program. 

1/24/2017 Complete

31 Develop a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Checklist for use, as 

necessary. 1/24/2017 Complete

32

Develop a Quick Reference List (QRL) Tailored to 

environmental purchasing as it applies to the Subsistence 

supply chain and the purchasing of Food Service Operating 

Supplies (FSOS).

12/30/2017 On-Going

Notes

15 February 2012: Subsistence has integrated greening considerations into their everyday work activities, which is how the program 

was designed to be implemented. Biobased cutlery, clamshell and UGR serving utensils have been approved and are awaiting next 

procurement cycle. A biobased wrapper for cutlery and spatula is still under development. CTC is scheduled to brief JSPB Policy 

Board on 2/29 to discuss a demo model of using biopreferred products and practices such as building composting facilities and using 

biodegradable garbage bags at sites. Possible Future Efforts Discussed: identifying GMOs, certified/labeled items, greening packaging. 

Investigating/ replacing items that use Teflon.

15 March 2012: Participated in Supply Chain Summit. Briefed other Supply Chain leaders on the status of Subsistence green products.
Environmental Management Action Plan (EMAP)

Subsistence Supply Chain Green Procurement Program Document ID: T3-2.04

This is an UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT printed on 05/04/18 for reference only. 

The current copy is available on-line on the DLA Troop Support Go Green Program eWorkplace site.

1 November 2012: Regarding development and implementation of a Demo Model where biobased items are used exclusively and 

composting is set up to manage the waste product: John W. stated that CTC awarded the contract and Food Service Ware Green DEMO 

will take place in multiple sites including Joint Base Lewis/McCord, Whitbey Island, and Sealift Command in Seattle. Tentative date: 

Nov 2012. 

Various vendors are assisting LCI Industries with the development of a less noisy biobased wrap for the dining packets.

9 October 2013:Demo project using biobased products and composting on site has been completed. Draft report by CTC is under 

review. There are still problems with biobased wrapping related to noise. Research is ongoing, but there is no acceptable product at 

this time. In addition, received word from Mr. Dwain Gilbertson from LC Industries that there is also a cost issue with this product.

The 2-Day Buying Green course is required for all PaCErs. 

2 April 2015: Still purchasing 50-50 biobased cutlery due to noisy and costly overwrap associated with the 100% biobased cutlery. Will 

investigate changing the contract in the future to use 100% biobased cutlery but with the traditional overwrap. Clamshells are no longer 

needed due to the arctic meal module no longer being procured. No additional 100% biobased UGR spatula option is currently being 

developed. The Buying Green Course was completed for all existing employees and required for all new interns. NATICK is currently 

testing multiple options for a plastic bag to hold MRE.

15 October 2015: F. Picarella is now tracking the % of green contracts vs. total contracts and reports the data to HQ bi-annually. 

1 February 2016: F. Picarella, T. Smith, and J. Woloszyn have been working with contracting on having sustainability procurement 

clauses inserted into the subsistence contracts. Contracting has drafted a modification template currently being reviewed by contract 

specialists/contracting officers prior to insertion into all applicable contracts.

25 May 2016: Received notification on MRE meal bag development from NATICK. Funding issues. Forwarded to Subsistence 

Industrial Base Planning Branch Strategic Material Sourcing Group. 75/25% biobased cutlery – LCI Sample test run complete. Items 

are being tested for heat and strength. LCI looking into cost impact. Established contact with USAF Food & Beverage Business 

Development & Strategic Initiatives Air Force Services Activity (ASFVA).

24 January 2017: SUB-24: NATICK did not receive funds, but due to positive feedback suggest that they resubmit request for future 

funding. Funding is for developing new process to reduce MRE packaging material. Added Montez Snyder to team as contracting lead 

for sustainability clauses in contracts. SUB-30: F. Picarella provided a listing of biobased alternatives to USAF personnel. SUB-31: A 

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Checklist was completed and is available for use, as necessary.

Operational Controls

• T3-2.09_SOP.Subsistence.Coding.New.LSNs.with.an.ENAC.in.STORES.and.EBS.Databases_Mar14. 

• T3-2.09_SOP.Subsistence.Adding.and.Coding.New.NSNs.with.an.ENAC.in.FLIS_Mar14.

Monitoring and Measuring

Subsistence tracks the number of green products available to customers, and reports the number of new bio-based contracts 

bi-annually .

Competence Training

Requirements pertaining to green procurement competence, training, and awareness within Subsistence are identified 

within the Green Procurement Program Plan, dated March 2014. In addition, competence training specific to Operational 

Controls is identified within the Operational Controls/Standard Operating Practices (SOPs). 

Related EMS Elements and Other Considerations 

a. Environmental Aspect(s): Green Procurement (significant)

b. Legal or Other Requirement(s): Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, Federal Acquisition Regulation, EO 

13693, DLA Strategic Initiatives.

c. Technological options: Subsistence has considered technological options during the evaluation of objectives and 

targets. For example, the availability of biobased products (and the percentage of biobased material within the 

product) has changed substantially over time due to changes in manufacturing technologies.

d. Financial requirements: Subsistence evaluates financial requirements of all proposed objectives and targets. Some 

objectives and targets have completion dates that depend on the customer’s schedule for next procurement. 

Subsistence’s focus is primarily on incremental improvements to the existing procurement process and systems, 

thereby avoiding unnecessary financial burdens to the organization.

e. Operational and business requirements: Subsistence has considered operational and business requirements in the 

setting of its objectives and targets. Operational requirements/ technical specifications for MREs and other unitized

group rations components must meet strict technical specifications, which are considered when working to include 
Environmental Management Action Plan (EMAP)

Subsistence Supply Chain Green Procurement Program Document ID: T3-2.04

This is an UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT printed on 05/04/18 for reference only. 

The current copy is available on-line on the DLA Troop Support Go Green Program eWorkplace site.

green products.

f. Views of interested parties: Subsistence conducts periodic management reviews to ensure views of interested parties 

are considered. Subsistence also considers the viewpoints of organizations through periodic meetings with DLA 

Headquarters, the other DLA Troop Support Supply Chains, and Subsistence’s customers, vendors, and industry 

companies.