Responses Are Due By March 15, 2011     Greening of GSA Schedules & Potential Use of BIFMA e3 Sustainability Standards In an effort to promote the “Greening of GSA Schedules”, in accordance with GSA’s Environmental Policy Statement*, Administrator Martha Johnson’s goal for GSA to become a Zero Environmental Footprint (ZEF) Agency, and in the spirit of Executive Order 13514**, GSA’s Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center (IWACenter) is seeking to add ANSI/BIFMA e3 Standard compliance as a requirement for furniture vendors currently on schedule or pursuing to obtain a schedule contract.  According to our preliminary research, a minimum Level 1 rating would be required for office furniture.  This requirement would apply to any new products added to Schedule 71 from the date of implementation for SINs 711-1 through 711-20.  Also, IWACenter would need to decide at what point non-compliant office furniture would be removed from contract – possibly at the end of two years based on the following phased strategy; your comments are appreciated.  We’d also need to know what to ask contractors for to prove what ANSI/BIFMA e3 rating a particular product received.  To date over 700 products has been certified to conform with the e3 standard. a. 12 month period to self certify to e3 Silver for 50% of contract product w/an additional. b. 12 months to achieve Level 1 3rd party certification to e3 for 100% of contract product. c. All non  compliant product will be removed from contract at the time the option to extend is executed. ANSI/BIFMA’s Sustainability Standard e3 is a multi-attribute standard which recognizes sustainable on three performance levels silver, gold and platinum, for first party certification and Level 1, 2 and 3 for third party certification. It uses a rating system which includes criteria for evaluating performance and quantifiable metrics in the following areas: • Materials Selection & Usage • Energy • Human & Ecosystem Health • Social Responsibility Impacts Organizations around the globe are trending toward sustainable practices. Many manufacturers are developing corporate sustainability plans, retailers are requiring sustainable practices, and consumers are now looking for “green” products more than ever before.  As a result, many of our industry partners have recognized this standard and in some cases have submitted their products to be rated.  GSA is spreading the word regarding this program. Please read about the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010 standard at http://levelcertified.org. Provide any comments which you may have about this sustainability standard. IWACenter’s plan to require compliance with this standard is scheduled for sometime in 2011. * http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-signs-an-Executive-Order-Focused-on-Federal-Leadership-in-Environmental-Energy-and-Economic-Performance ** http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/102026 For further information, contact linda.valdes@gsa.gov.