ORISE named Silver Award recipient of DOE’s GreenBuy Program for second consecutive year

February 18, 2022

DOE recognized ORISE as a Silver Level recipient of its GreenBuy Award for FY 2021. The GreenBuy Award Program recognizes DOE sites for achieving stringent sustainable acquisition goals which extend beyond the government’s “green” minimum compliance requirements. Previously, ORISE received the Bronze Level Award in FY 2019, FY 2018, and FY 2015, and Silver Level in FY 2020. Out of 49 DOE sites, ORISE is one of only 27 to accept the GreenBuy Award one or more times since FY 2011.

The Sliver Level requires meeting more stringent goals of select products in categories. For example, the Bronze Level required that ORISE meet the goals of four products in at least two categories. Under the Silver Level, those requirements increased to six products in at least three categories.

“We take great pride in supporting companies that are committed to recycling, energy efficiency, reducing pollution, and product biodegradability,” said Cindy Snow, ORAU’s Director of Procurement and Partnerships (P&P). “Being recognized with this award serves as a testament to the outstanding teamwork, proactive communication, and collaboration between several internal departments including Facilities and Transportation; Information Technology Services; Environment, Safety & Health; program units; and Procurement.”

ORISE’s Silver Level FY 2021 award is based on six products/goals:

1. Servers;
2. Purchasing Reduction Goal: Facilities & Transportation Department (FTD) Boiler Repair in lieu of a new purchase;
3. Purchasing Reduction Goal: Procurement & Partnerships (P&P) “Go Paperless” Initiative;
4. Training Goal;
5. IT Calculation Goal; and
6. Lab Grade Refrigerators and Freezers.

These products spanned the three GreenBuy Program product categories Operations Fleet/Shipping/Shop; Electronics; and Other. ORISE submitted for the first time a product under the Operations Fleet/Shipping/Shop category—further illustrating ORISE’s commitment to continuous improvement in the procurement of sustainable products.

FY 2021 products had to meet one, and in some cases multiple, environmental standards including Energy Star^® certified; EPEAT GOLD, SILVER and/or BRONZE registered; and Federal Energy Management Program standards.

The Purchasing Reduction Goal, new to the GreenBuy Program in FY 2021, was achieved by ORISE for two different departmental projects:

• A project to repair an existing boiler with a new highly efficient heat exchanger instead of purchasing an entirely new and costly boiler unit, and
• A “Go Paperless” Initiative which included a comprehensive review of documentation requirements, hardcopy and electronic file (e-file) comparison, transition to e-file only, restructuring of P&P’s e-file processes, pilot program, team updates and training, etc.