Environment Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 10 October 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment is made (a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of the bids made for contracts awarded by her Department; who makes such assessments; and whether such assessments are published.
From
The Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate sets out the cross-Government strategy for managing the Government estate in a way which contributes fully to the sustainable development agenda. See www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/index.htm.
Under Part F of the Framework, all Government Departments are required to implement the following targets:
F1: Have a sustainable procurement strategy in place by
F2: Have environmental clauses included within contracts;
F3: Have sustainable procurement training developed and implemented.
Currently, Defra procurement policy is to award contracts against the most economically advantageous tender criterion, having regard to the eligibility, economic and financial standing, ability, capability and technical capacity of the supplier to deliver the best whole life cost solution. Defra's policy on disclosure of documentation pertaining to commercial contracting is governed by the Freedom of Information Act. Requests for disclosure are considered on their merits relative to the nature of each specific request.
In addition to this overarching policy, Defra considers environmental and sustainability factors under its sustainable operations strategy including its acquisition and use of energy, water, waste and recycling, bio-diversity, travel, paper, office stationery, office furniture, office equipment, and facilities management. The Department applies UK timber procurement policy and is utilising the public sector catering services toolkit that it has developed in conjunction with other Government Departments.
As part of the sustainable procurement strategy required under Part F of the Framework, Defra will develop a sustainable procurement impact assessment tool (SPIAT) for use across Defra's commercial contracting portfolio.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.