AOC Gets Results From Biobased Product Procurement Program

 

The Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has implemented a procurement policy that establishes our preference for the use of U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved biobased products.  We are also moving toward the use of environmentally-friendly products in our daily operations by adding requirements for environmentally-friendly products to our contracts.  By switching to biobased products, we are helping to protect the environment, while still maintaining a high level of service to Congress. 

 

For example, the elevator shops for the House and Senate Office Buildings have made the switch to a vegetable-based hydraulic fluid in some of their operations.  The environmentally-friendly fluid, which is a biodegradable, non-toxic renewable resource, is now being used in elevators and trash bailers. 

 

The main ingredient of the selected fluid is canola oil, which is harvested from rapeseed, a plant in the mustard family.  After a year of use, shop supervisors report that the single shaft elevators are running smoothly.

 

On the Senate side,the biobased hydraulic fluid is being used in the hydraulic trash baler on the loading dock of the Hart Building.  Steve Alder, Elevator Assistant Supervisor for the Senate, reports, "About a year ago we switched to using a vegetable-based hydraulic fluid for the baler, and it's been working fine with the new fluid.  We're happy we made the switch to a more environmentally friendly product.  It's the right thing to do."

 

New biobased approach a blooming success

 

At the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG), the use of bio-based organic fertilizer has resulted in an explosion of colorful flowers.  "Last year, the whole Rose Garden in the National Garden was in fantastic bloom!" exclaimed Robert Pritchard, Garden Supervisor for the USBG.  "There were many more flowers than the year before." 

 

"We tried a different, healthier approach," Pritchard noted.  "A year-and-a-half ago, we began working with a company on a more biobased approach to maintaining our roses.  Their products have no chemical additives and include organic fertilizers like alfalfa meal, chicken manure, kelp, cottonseed meal, and cocoa hulls."

 

"I have been in this business 30 years and my assessment so far is that our roses have really benefited from the biobased approach," said Pritchard. 

 

Summary of AOC's Biobased Program

 

Program Highlights

 

The Office of the Architect of the Capitol developed a Preferred Procurement Program for Biobased Products to identify and purchase products made from biobased ingredients. 

 

Key elements of the program include:

• A preferred procurement program for biobased products (contract language)
• Procedures to promote the program throughout AOC-managed facilities
• Annual reviews to measure program effectiveness
• A public education program to showcase AOC's use of biobased products

 

+ PDF of pamphlet

 

Biobased products are required to receive preference in purchase decisions unless these products:

    a.  Do not meet product specifications

    b.  Are unreasonably expensive, or

    c.  Cannot be delivered in time to meet AOC's needs

 

As spelled out in Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, AOC's program does not apply to the procurement of vehicle fuels or electricity.

 

About Biobased Products

 

What are BiobasedProducts?

As defined by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act(FSRIA) of 2002, "biobased products" are products determined by the U.S.Secretary of Agriculture to be commercial or industrial goods (other than food or feed) composed in whole or in significant part of biological products,forestry materials, or renewable domestic agricultural materials, including plant, animal, or marine materials.

 

Biobased Product Alternatives

Hydraulic fluids, roof coatings, water tank coatings, diesel fuel additives, penetrating lubricants, and bedding, bed linens and towels are groups of commercial/industrial goods already represented on USDA's list of"preferred" biobased products.  The USDA is required to develop a total of 194 categories of biobased products that are expected to include many items used by AOC, such as carpeting, insulating foam for construction, composite panels, bath and tile cleaners, wood and concrete sealers, glass cleaners, floor strippers, fertilizers, and greases.  A full list of biobased product categories is available on USDA's website at http://www.biopreferred.gov.

 

Program Contacts

 

The AOC's Environmental Branch is responsible for oversight of the biobased procurement program.

 

For technical questions about AOC's biobased procurement program, contact Jim Styers at 202-226-6636.

 

For questions about the procurement aspects of AOC's biobased procurement program, contact Lisa Russell at 202-226-1407.