ATTACHMENT 6_ Preferred criteria for Environmental Sustainability measures.pdf

ATTACHMENT 6: Preferred Criteria for Environmental Sustainability Measures

USAID is committed to fostering a clean energy economy and to sustaining the environment by conducting operations and programs in an environmentally responsible manner, complying with environmental laws and regulations, and leading by example.

It is strongly preferred that material for packaging is derived from sustainable materials such as: bio-based polymers analogous to petroleum-derived ones and/or verified post-consumer waste or recycled content.

For example:

● cardboard boxes: recyclable, unbleached, not laminated.

● packaging tape: self-adhesive paper tape to be used wherever possible.

● plastic shrink wrap and strapping: clear bio-based or compostable stretch-wrap and bio-based banding straps. No opaque stretch-wrap is to be used.

● ink: solvent-based indelible.

Additional preferred sustainable packaging criteria, as long as the integrity of the commodity is guaranteed:

● No single use plastic wrapping around individual NFIs unless it is essential to the quality/sterility of the item

● Reduce and optimize secondary and tertiary packaging of NFIs

● Optimize packaging, palletizing and loadability of transport units

● Use of natural colors (no dyes)

● Packaging with a second-life purpose

Specify which of these preferred options you can offer and whether or not pricing differs for these options (technical and price offers must be submitted separately). Innovative solutions are welcome.

In addition to environmentally sustainable packaging, if offerors are able to provide NFI products that have partial/whole composition from recycled/bio-based content, please specify these options and their corresponding prices in your offer (technical and price offers must be submitted separately).

If available, please provide a description of:

● the company's policies, procedures, SOPs or certifications with regards to overall company sustainability initiatives, for example on circular economy or carbon offsetting, and any targets or future plans for improvement

● any processes, initiatives or research undertaken to maximize or improve the sustainability and minimize the environmental impact of the products you provide, with regards to manufacturing, the specifications, or the packaging

● the company's policies, practices and data regarding waste materials and recycling. Data on percentages of waste which has been reduced, or which is typically reused or recycled, is of particular relevance.

● the company's policies, procedures and data regarding carbon emissions and transport usage. Data on emissions amounts, types and reductions are of particular relevance.

● the company's policies, procedures and data regarding energy usage. Data on type and amount of energy used (renewable or not) are of particular relevance.

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RFQ-SOL # 7200AA22R00004