Biobased buyers’ guide supports government greening efforts
As recently published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated the federal procurement of biobased products under the agency’s BioPreferred program. The update will clarify the preference process in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which will in turn make it easier for procurement officials and manufacturers to participate in the program.
The FAR contains the uniform policies and procedures for acquisitions initiated by all federal agencies. New provisions in the FAR will require federal buyers and their contractors to give preference to qualified biobased products.
To help procurement officials find and evaluate biobased products, the second edition of the BioBased Products Best Practices Guide was released by the United Soybean Board (USB).
The 44-page guide is designed to support the work of government agencies that are implementing the biobased products procurement program first launched in the 2002 Farm Bill. However, the guide also serves as an informative resource for states, counties and local government agencies to help officials implement green procurement programs.
“This guide will aid government employees in making the switch to biobased products, which are good for America’s environment, economy and energy security,” said Chuck Myers, domestic marketing committee chair of the USB, as well as a soybean farmer from Lyons, Neb. “Soybean farmers support this effort through their national checkoff program because biobased products, ranging from carpet backing to lubricants to cleaning supplies, can be made from U.S. soybeans to reduce their petroleum content.”
Today, hundreds of biobased products are available, complete with materials derived from soybeans, corn, wheat, cotton and other agricultural products. Purchasers can select from an array of biobased lubricants, roof coatings, carpet backing, insulation, paint strippers, cleaners and more.
The new USB guide points purchasers to manufacturers of biobased products, plus includes case studies, model procurement programs, pertinent regulations and other helpful information.
An online version of the guide can be downloaded for free from the USB’s Web site: http://www. soybiobased.org/. The guide also is available in print and CD formats, which can be ordered by visiting the Web site.