Joint Proposal Calls for Amendment of the FAR to Support Environmental Concerns.

A joint proposal requesting to amend the current Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to focus on the environment and sustainability and to implement a requirement for agencies to procure sustainable products and services to the maximum extent practicable was issued on August 3, 2023, by the Defense Department (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

This proposal is on the heels of the Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability Executive Order (EO 14057).  In this EO, President Biden challenged agencies to meet the following targets:

• Achieve 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030, including 50 percent on a 24/7 basis.
• Reach 100 percent zero-emission vehicle acquisition by 2035, including 100 percent light-duty acquisitions by 2027.
• Achieve net-zero building emissions by 2045, including a 50 percent reduction by 2032.
• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent from 2008 levels by 2030.
• Establish targets to reduce energy and potable water use intensity by 2030.
• Reduce procurement emissions to net-zero by 2050.
• Have climate resilient infrastructure and operations.
• Develop a climate- and sustainability-focused workforce.
• Advance environmental justice and equity-focused operations.
• Accelerate progress through domestic and international partnerships.

More importantly to NITAAC, the EO also directs agencies to purchase sustainable products and services in accordance with relevant statutory requirements, and, to the maximum extent practicable, purchase sustainable products and services identified or recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

At NITAAC, protecting our environment is at the forefront of our procurement strategy. In fact, our environmental best practices have been lauded for four consecutive years by the Global Electronics Council, which owns and manages the EPEAT Purchaser Awards. The awards recognize excellence in sustainable procurement of EPEAT-registered products.

NITAAC is one of a few Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) to receive this global award and has been recognized for excellence in multiple categories, including computers, displays and servers.

Environmentally Responsible Spending

NITAAC takes considerable pride in doing our part to ensure the federal government has access to sustainable products. As agencies look to purchasing commodities, such as laptops and desktops, NITAAC can help. We are committed to providing EPEAT certified laptops, desktops, printers, monitors and servers to meet every federal agencies’ information technology (IT) needs. 

With almost 4000 EPEAT certified products to choose from, the ordering process is as easy as the click of a button. To start your order, download a copy of the NextGen GSS Ordering Guide here, then click the log in to e-GOS button in the upper right hand corner of any NITAAC web page.

NITAAC not only offers the standard configurations of the GSS program, we also can handle more complex requirements through our CIO-CS Government-Wide Acquisition Contract  for IT Commodities/Solutions.  NITAAC offers training in use of our GWACs and is happy to provide customized training for any federal office or organization.

Together, we can achieve the President’s vision for a more sustainable future.  We strongly believe it is not only our job to provide a first-class acquisition experience but to also do our part to create a healthier planet. To learn more about how NITAAC can help you meet your end of year laptop and desktop buying needs, and meet the President’s directive in EO 14057, visit https://nitaac.nih.gov/services/government-wide-strategic-solutions.