Vehicles and Vehicle Products
Alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, and low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles. Products used in repairing and maintaining automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles, including lubricants, bumpers, mud flaps, and engine coolant. Also includes alternative fuels and refrigerated transport equipment. Products in this category may also apply to the acquisition of fleet maintenance and cafeteria & food services. Products in this category may also apply to the acquisition of fleet maintenance and cafeteria & food services.
References and Guidance
Additional Guidance
Category Specific Guidance
EPAct Section 701 (e (42 U.S.C. § 6374(a)(3)(E) requires federal agencies to use alternative fuel in dual-fueled vehicles when it is reasonably available and not unreasonably more expensive than gasoline. Dual-fueled alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are vehicles that can run on both alternative fuel or conventional petroleum fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy reviews and approves or denies waiver submissions). Learn more here.
Products
Federal agency customers are required to buy sustainable products such as energy efficient products and recycled content products, to the maximum extent practicable.
In accordance with FAR Part 23.103, Federal agencies shall advance sustainable acquisition by ensuring that 95 percent of new contract actions for the supply of products and for the acquisition of services (including construction) require that the products are:
- Energy-efficient (ENERGY STAR®
or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated);
- Water-efficient;
- Biobased;
- Environmentally preferable (e.g., EPEAT®-registered, or non-toxic or less toxic alternatives);
- Non-ozone depleting; or
- Made with recovered materials.
Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing:
- Environmentally preferable products or services, including environmentally sustainable electronic products, that meet or exceed specifications, standards, or labels recommended by EPA
through the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP)
;
- Energy Star
electric vehicle charging stations;
- Water efficient products and services, including WaterSense®
certified products and services;
- Safer Choice
labeled products; and
- Freight delivery services from SmartWay®
Transport partners.
Services
Sustainable services also include construction and service contracts where sustainable products are delivered, furnished for Government use, or furnished for Contractor use at a federally controlled facility.
In accordance with FAR Part 23.103, Sustainable Acquisitions, service contracts must require the use or supply of sustainable products covered by certain Federal environmental programs, when applicable. Sustainable products include energy efficient, recycled content, water efficient, biobased, and other environmentally preferable products.
Learn More
- You can determine the specific sustainable requirements that apply to your acquisition by clicking on the individual product categories on the Left Side of this page
- You can Learn more by visiting the Environmental Programs page
Other Considerations
Before buying new products, be sure to consider excess personal property from other federal agencies. It's not just the mandatory first source of supply, it's sustainable! Visit GSAXcess® to search the federal government’s available excess personal property for transfer.
To promote fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, consider using a SmartWay Transport Partner for shipment of your products.
References
- DOE's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
- EPA Safer Choice
- EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
- Executive Order (E.O.) - 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
- FEMP Federal Fleet Management
- GSA Alternative Fuel Vehicles Website
- Implementing Instructions for Executive Order (E.O.) - 14057 Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
- Learn How EPA’s Recommended Standards and Ecolabels Address PFAS
- USDA's BioPreferred Designated Products