Multiple acts of Congress require the Federal Government to use its purchasing power to reduce the negative effects on the environment and promote energy efficiency. As with all agencies there are many environmental, energy, transportation and economic considerations affecting the acquisition process at the Department of Energy (DOE). Federal agencies are required to give preference to products that are energy and water efficient, alternative fuel/fuel-efficient vehicles, non-ozone depleting substances, and made from biobased or recycled content.
To implement these requirements, agencies refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as the primary regulation reference for acquisition of sustainable supplies and services.
Contract Language
- FAR Part 23 for requirements
- FAR Part 52.223 for clauses
The benefits of Strategic Acquisition are numerous.
Biobased Content
- Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum since any amount of biobased content displaces petroleum.
- Increase the economics of biorefineries by co-producing valuable biobased products along with biobased fuel.
- Improve economics of U.S. agricultural production.
- Stimulate economic development in rural areas.
- Establish a healthier environment for staff.
- Reduce hazardous materials on site.
- Reduce disposal and cleanup costs.
Energy Efficient
- Reduce operating expenses by using less energy.
- Reduce energy costs.
Non/Less Toxic
- Establish healthier environment for staff.
- Reduce hazardous materials on site.
- Reduce cost of sick days and disposal of hazardous materials.
Non-Ozone Depleting
- Establish healthier environment for staff.
- Eliminate emissions of ozone depleting chemicals.
Recycled Content
- Reduce initial purchasing cost.
- Conserve water because less water is required when manufacturing with recycled content.
- Conserve natural resources.
- Reduce disposal costs.
- Stimulate economic development in recycled product market.
Water Efficient
- Reduce operating expenses by using less water.
- Reduce risks associated with water scarcity.
- Reduce wastewater disposal costs.
Use the following calculators to help identify benefits.
Energy Efficiency
Recycled Content
Water Efficiency
- Calculate water reductions - (go to “Water Use Tracking Tools” to access this tool)
Sharing our successes is a great way to help others be successful. Transitioning to different products can be difficult. Purchasers have to identify potential products; evaluate their performance, and cost attributes; test the products; and establish a system for purchasing the new product. By sharing our success stories, we reduce the time and cost for others to transition.
- Biobased Content
- Multiple Attributes
- Non/Less Toxic
- Reduce and Reuse
- Lubricant (Cutting Oil) – Brookhaven National Lab (01/22/2020)
- Materials Exchange – Y-12 National Security Complex (12/10/2018)
- Moving Bins – Los Alamos National Lab (08/10/2020)
- Paper – Y-12 National Security Complex (08/11/2020)
- Paper Towels & Food – Argonne National Lab (04/22/2022)
- Refrigerant – Savanah River Site/Y-12 National Security Complex (04/16/2024)
- Wastewater – Pantex Plant (06/02/2021)
- Water – Moab UMTRA Project (06/30/2023)
DOE holds bi-monthly working group meetings. DOE's Strategic Acquisition Working Group (SAWG) is comprised of environmental, energy and acquisition professionals from across the DOE complex.
The DOE Strategic Acquisition program website has on SharePoint. On this website, SAWG members can view resources including:
- Information on the DOE Strategic Acquisition Program
- Strategic Acquisition Drivers and Guidelines
- Product Requirements
- DOE Site Products Database (User Feedback)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Product Life Cycle Analysis
- Purchasing Approach
- Tools and Resources
- SAWG Bi-Monthly Teleconference information and past meeting minutes
- Tracking and Reporting best practices
- And more!
If you do not already have access to the DOE EHSS-21 SharePoint website and would like to request access and be added to the SAWG distribution list, please submit the form at: SAWG Working Group Registration form.
Please note that access to the DOE EHSS-21 SharePoint website and addition to the SAWG distribution list is reserved for DOE employees and contractors only. When requesting access, you will be asked to provide your DOE site address, email, and job title.