Sustainable solutions for MRFS2

The Maintenance Repair Facility Supplies Generation 2 (MRFS2) Purchasing Channel makes identifying and buying environmentally sustainable products easy. Agencies are required to ensure that applicable new contract actions are environmentally sustainable.

Sustainable product options

MRFS2 BPA contractors offer a wide variety of compliant products. Sustainable options include:

• BioPreferred
• Energy Star
• Environmentally preferable
• Recycled content
• WaterSense products

BioPreferred®

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) manages the BioPreferred program, which includes a mandatory federal purchasing program for bio-based products. Bio-based products contain materials derived from agricultural and forestry materials, such as soybeans, corn, and wood scraps from the lumber industry. Under this program, USDA designates categories of bio-based products and establishes a minimum bio-based content level for each. Examples include:

• Paints with bio-based content.
• Wood and concrete sealers.
• Disposable food containers.

Energy Star

Energy Star is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. The program offers energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and money savings through increased efficiency in products, homes, industrial plants, and commercial buildings. Energy Star certified MRFS2 products include:

• Air conditioners
• Battery chargers
• Ceiling fans
• LED lighting

WaterSense

WaterSense, a partnership program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and irrigation services. The program seeks to help consumers make smart water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards without compromising performance. Products and services that have earned the WaterSense label have been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance. MRFS2 products examples include:

• Bathroom sink faucets
• Showerheads
• Toilets

Comprehensive procurement guidelines

Under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates products that are or can be made with recovered materials, and recommends practices for buying these products (minimum content levels). Once a product is designated, agencies are required to purchase it with the highest recovered material content level practicable. Buying recycled content products helps to ensure that the materials collected in home and office recycling programs will be used again in the manufacturing of new products. Examples include:

• Hoses
• Latex paints
• Recycling containers and waste receptacles

Identify green purchasing requirements with the Green Procurement Compilation

To find out which types of sustainable products are required for federal purchase, visit the GSA Green Procurement Compilation (GPC). The GPC helps users identify applicable green purchasing requirements by consolidating and organizing information from multiple federal environmental programs in one convenient location. Simply browse or search for a product to find applicable requirements, sample solicitation language, environmental program links, and additional guidance.

Find sustainable products on GSA Advantage

GSA Advantage, GSA’s online shopping portal, makes it easy for buyers to identify environmentally sustainable products. MRFS2 contractors are required to identify sustainable products using various environmental symbols or icons. Just look for the Bio-preferred, Energy Star, WaterSense, and CPG symbols next to a product to make sure you’re buying green. You can also limit search results to sustainable products by selecting the appropriate environmental icon with the advanced search function. Since there may be inaccurate listings, always be sure to verify with the contractor that the product meets applicable environmental requirements prior to placing your order.

Executive Order

On May 17, 2019, Executive Order 13834, which revokes E.O. 13693 and establishes streamlined goals for federal purchasing. The Sustainable Acquisition section requires agencies to ensure that all contract actions and purchases comply with statutory requirements, where applicable, to the product or service. This includes products that meet minimum requirements for recycled content as identified by EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline Program, products designated as bio-based or Bio-Preferred by USDA, and products certified by Energy Star or designated by FEMP as energy efficient products.

Learn more about Executive Order (E.O.) 13834 Efficient Federal Operations (revoked).

Bio-based product contracting targets

By using the MRFS2 purchasing channel BPAs, your agency can make easy work of complying with the new Agricultural Act of 2014, which requires agencies to set targets for issuing contracts for purchasing only bio-based products. Simply make it your target to use the MRFS Purchasing Channel BPAs to purchase bio-based products.

For help with your order, call the GSA National Customer Service Center (NCSC) toll-free at 800-488-3111, email them at NCSCcustomer.service@gsa.gov, or live chat them at Ask GSA.

For further questions on the program, please contact the MRFS2 team via email at mrfs@gsa.gov