U.S. Communities

U.S. Communities

A National Purchasing Program

• A non-profit instrumentality of government that assists local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits in reducing the cost of purchased goods through pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide.

• This is accomplished through competitively solicited contracts for quality products through

lead public agencies.

Founding Co-Sponsors

• Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO)

•National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)

•National Association of Counties (NACo)

•National League of Cities (NLC)

•United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)

The Advisory Board

• City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg Cnty NC• Cobb County, GA• Dallas County, TX• Davis Joint Unified School District, CA• City and County of Denver, CO• Fairfax County, VA• Great Valley School District, PA• Harford County Public Schools, MD• Hennepin County, MN• School Dist of Hillsborough County, FL• City of Seattle, WA• North Carolina State University NC

• City of Houston, TX• City of Los Angeles, CA• Los Angeles County, CA• Maricopa County, AZ• Miami-Dade County/Public

Health Trust, FL• City of San Antonio, TX• San Diego Unified School

District, CA• Wichita Public Schools, KS• Detroit Public Schools, MI• Emory University, GA

Public Procurement Professionals

Advisory Board Program Purchases Over $110 Million in 2006

Total Program Purchases

$228

$323$356

$495

$717

$1,012

$1,675

$1,266

$50

$250

$450

$650

$850

$1,050

$1,250

$1,450

$1,650

$1,850

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Projection

($ in Millions)

Eligible Agencies

• K-12

• Cities

• Counties

• Special Districts

• Universities/Colleges

• Nonprofits

• State Agencies

Public Agency Value

Competitively solicited contract by a lead public agency

No cost to agencies to participate

No minimum spending requirements

Optional and non-exclusive contracts

Best government pricing

Offering Earth-friendly products in the following categories:Offering Earth-friendly products in the following categories:

• Office & School Supplies

• Office Furniture

• Janitorial Supplies

• Electrical & Data Communications

• Technology Products

• Office Machines

• School Furniture

• Turf

• Auto Parts

• Maintenance, Repairs & Operating

Supplies

• Public Safety

• Roofing

• Park & Playground Equipment

• Homeland Security

• Lab Supplies

Contract Green HighlightsContract Green Highlights

All: U.S. Communities reporting

Office & School Supplies (Office Depot) over 2,400 green products, green book, EPEAT products, Free ink and toner recycling, remanufactured cartridges

Office Furniture (Haworth, Herman Miller, Knoll, KI) Greenguard, LEED credits and programs

School Furniture (Virco) Greenguard, LEED for schools credits, Take-Back program

Cleaning (Zep) Green Seal and Eco Logo products, Biodegradable, soy-based solvents

Lighting, Electrical & Data Comm (Graybar) Energy Star, recycling program, LED street lights (see energy solution guide)

Contract Green HighlightsContract Green Highlights

Technology Products & Solutions (TechDepot & GTSI) EPEAT products, Energy Star products

Auto Parts (AutoZone) certified re-refined oil, exclusive bio-based spill absorbent, oil recycling

Office Machines (Ricoh, Savin, IKON) EPEAT, Energy Star, recycling and equipment de-manufacturing

Maintenance, Repair and Operations (The Home Depot, HD Supply Facilities) EcoOptions: certifications in sustainable forestry, energy efficiency, water conservation, low VOC, etc.

Roofing (HCS) green roofs and solar systems meeting LEED, CRRC

Synthetic Turf & Athletic Surfaces (GSV/Astroturf) BioCel backing system, low VOC

Valuable ResourcesValuable Resources

Valuable ResourcesValuable Resources

Valuable ResourcesValuable Resources

Valuable ResourcesValuable Resources

SolutionsSolutions

Solutions

SolutionsSolutions

SolutionsSolutions

Search FunctionSearch Function

Search Function ResultSearch Function Result

Supplier InformationSupplier Information

AwardsCompany Environmental PracticesInitiativesGreen Product Listings

•Cooperative Contracts Concept•Add new products instead of soliticing•Office Depot’s Green Substitution Program

• Increase green sales and decrease costs• LA: increase 10%, savings 5% ($290,000)• Hennepin: Doubled their green spend from 24% to 48% and decreased their cost by 10%

•Graybar’s lighting recycling and audit programs•Virco’s school furniture take-back program•Office Depot’s cartridge recycling program and remanufactured cartridges•Ask your vendors for alternatives and options

Savings OpportunitiesSavings Opportunities

SharingSharing

www.gogreencommunities.org www.uscommunities.orgConnie [email protected]