Home > Resources > Acquisition and Procurement
The following resources are available to assist you in improving your electronics acquisition and procurement practices.
- Getting Started
- Product Environmental Assessment for Desktop Computers, Laptops, and Monitors
- Product Environmental Assessment for Printers, Copiers, and Other Electronics
- Market Research, Solicitation and Contract Specifications
Getting Started
Not sure how to start improving your electronics acquisition and procurement? The following resources can help you assess your current practices; plan and implement improvements; and understand the governing federal acquisition regulations.
Acquisition and Procurement Planning Checklist (PDF, 88 KB) | Word (429 KB)
This checklist can assist you in planning and purchasing environmentally preferable electronic products and services. PLEASE NOTE: Completion of either this document, or the Acquisition and Procurement Planning Checklist previously posted here, are both acceptable for meeting the 2008 Federal Electronics Challenge Award requirements.
» See also: Information relating to FEC Awards and Recognition.
Sample Memo for Purchasing of EPEAT and Other Environmentally Preferable Electronics (PDF, 46 KB)
The included document is an example of a federal memo requiring the purchase or lease of Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered and other environmentally preferable electronics.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Modeling is a tool that systematically accounts for the indirect and direct life cycle costs related to an information technology (IT) investment decision. FEC resources are available to help Federal facilities evaluate the life cycle costs of their electronics purchases or leases.
- Answers to Frequent Questions: Total Cost of Ownership (PDF, 65 KB)
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about Total Cost of Ownership modeling. TCO modeling can help you meet federal requirements and reduce IT costs. - Total Cost of Ownership Calculator Tool (Microsoft Excel®, 51 KB)
The TCO Calculator Tool allows users to compare the costs of different options for the life cycle management of IT equipment with an emphasis on decisions that may have an environmental impact. - » See also: Summing Up the Total Cost of Ownership: A New FEC Tool (PDF, 219 KB), a presentation with information on what TCO modeling is, how it can help your organization and instructions on using the TCO Calculator Tool.
Applied Information Economics Analysis of the Desktop Replacement Policy for EPA (PDF, 536 KB)
This report summarizes the results of an "Applied Information Economics" (AIE) risk/return analysis of a proposed desktop replacement policy investment for the EPA. While this report reflects an analysis that focuses on the needs and requirements of EPA, it provides an excellent example of a cost/benefit analysis of the desktop computer life-cycle.
FAR Clauses Applicable to Electronics Stewardship (PDF, 46 KB)
This document outlines environmental purchasing criteria and related electronics stewardship activities which apply to federal agencies under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
» See also: The overview of Federal Legislation and Executive Orders Relevant to the FEC (PDF, 64 KB).
Product Environmental Assessment for Desktop Computers, Laptops, and Monitors
The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a resource for evaluating the environmental performance of electronic products throughout their life cycle. EPEAT is the FEC-required method of product environmental assessment for desktop computers, laptops and monitors. Additional information, including the EPEAT standard, a database of EPEAT-registered products, and guidance for purchasers and manufacturers, is available at the EPEAT web site.
Answers to Frequent Questions: EPEAT and the FEC (PDF, 77 KB)
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about EPEAT. EPEAT can help you meet federal requirements and make IT acquisition easier.
Model Contract Language for EPEAT (PDF, 40 KB) | Word (227 KB)
This resource provides model contract language that FEC Partners can use to specify EPEAT-registered products in acquisition and procurement contracts.
Answers to Frequent Questions: ENERGY STAR 4.0 and EPEAT (PDF, 62 KB)
This fact sheet provides answers to frequent questions about ENERGY STAR 4.0 and EPEAT, and information on how federal agencies can ensure they purchase or lease computer products in compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Executive Order 13423.
Guidance For Federal Agencies: How to Document Chemical Reductions Achieved via Acquisition of EPEAT Registered Products to Help Meet Your E.O. 13423 Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials Reduction Goals (PDF, 310 KB)
This document provides guidance for federal agencies that choose to include the purchase of EPEAT registered products as part of a strategy for achieving the toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials reduction goals of E.O. 13423.
Product Environmental Assessment for Printers, Copiers, and Other Electronics
EPEAT is currently limited to desktop computers, laptops and monitors. FEC provides the following resources to assist you in performing similar product environmental assessment for other electronics, such as printers and copiers.
Guidance for Federal Agencies on Preparing to Buy or Lease EPEAT Registered Imaging Equipment and Televisions (PDF, 44 KB)
This resource provides model contract language that federal agencies and facilities can use to specify the receipt of EPEAT-registered imaging equipment and televisions, when available, in acquisition and procurement contracts. EPEAT-registered imaging equipment and televisions are expected to be available in late 2010.
Key Environmental Attributes for Electronics Acquisition (PDF, 66 KB)
This document outlines some key environmental attributes to consider when purchasing electronic equipment that is not currently registered by EPEAT.
Understanding Eco-labels (PDF, 167 KB)
An eco-label identifies a product that meets specified environmental performance criteria or standards, and is awarded by a third-party organization to products or services that are determined to meet the criteria or standards. This document provides an overview of eco-labels, including a summary of current eco-label programs in the U.S. and abroad.
Product Environmental Information Sheet (PDF, 68 KB) | Word (292 KB)
Federal facilities may use this sheet to solicit environmental product information from manufacturers for products not currently included in EPEAT per Key Environmental Attributes for Electronics Acquisition (PDF, 66 KB).
Market Research, Solicitation and Contract Specifications
The following examples provide sample language and documents that can be utilized by your facility to draft market research, solicitations and contracts that support responsible electronics acquisition and procurement.
See above for Model Contract Language for EPEAT.
Incorporating Environmental Criteria in Electronics Acquisition (PDF, 53 KB)
This document outlines how environmental criteria can be incorporated into all phases of the electronics product procurement process: market research, solicitation development, proposal evaluation, contract award, and contract administration/contractor oversight.
Market Research Example (FedBizOpps) (PDF, 208 KB)
This document is an example of a federal agency market survey for desktop, laptop, server, printer suppliers and their subcomponent suppliers. This document is exemplary of a market survey that may be solicited for electronics not currently included in EPEAT.
Solicitation Language (Department of Interior) (PDF, 124 KB)
This document provides sample solicitation language related to environmental preferability and other environmental criteria. This language was developed prior to the completion of EPEAT and may be helpful for solicitations of electronic products or services not included in EPEAT.
Integrating Environmental Objectives into IT Leases (PDF, 72 KB)
This document explains how certain types of leasing arrangements can help your agency procure "greener" electronic equipment, extend the product life cycle, and ensure proper management of equipment at the end of life.
