1. Environmentally Preferable Products – Above Green

The following paragraphs require procurement of construction materials and building supplies that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment over their lifecycle, when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.

Recycled Content.

Use RCRA Section 6002 compliant products that meet or exceed EPA's recycled content recommendations, available on EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline web site at https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpgprogram

Biologically-Based Products.

Per Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, specify products composed of the highest percentage of biobased content consistent with the USDA BioPreferred Program, if products meet performance requirements and are available at a reasonable cost. Deviation from using biobased product procurement must be documented. A preference for purchasing products with the highest biobased content per USDA recommendations for designated product categories must be included in all applicable solicitations. USDA’s biobased product designations and biobased content (which includes certified sustainably-harvested and rapidly renewable resources) recommendations are available on USDA’s BioPreferred web site at http://www.biopreferred.gov/.

Ozone Depleting Substances.

Do not use ozone depleting substances (ODS) or high Global Warming Potential (GWP) chemicals where EPAs Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) has identified acceptable substitutes or where other environmentally preferable products are available for use in construction, repair or end-of-life replacements: www.epa.gov/snap.

Exceptions:

Refer to UFC 3-600-01 for fire protection system requirements.