Sustainability

Sustainability. Contracts for architectural and engineering services shall require compliance with the sustainability policy adopted by the BOB. Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment and optimize use of non-renewable resources. To optimize site potential, conserve water, minimize energy consumption, and promote the use of local and environmentally preferable products, the following is required for state-funded buildings throughout the state: A. Site Development: 1. Development of inappropriate sites shall be avoided where possible. 2. Repair and renovations of existing facilities and/or expansion/redevelopment of currently developed sites shall be given preference to development of undeveloped sites. 3. Development of sites shall be executed with the goal of maximizing open and/or vegetative space and minimizing heat island. 4. Solar Reflectance Index for paving and roofing materials shall be a consideration for product selection. 5. Inclusion of trees in parking lot designs which will provide shade within five [5] years of occupancy shall be considered. B. Water Efficiency: 1. Specifications of indigenous and/or drought resistant plants shall be considered to reduce dependence on potable water irrigation systems. 2. High efficiency plumbing fixtures shall be specified where feasible. Waterless fixtures are not required or preferred. C. Energy Performance: 1. Each major facility project shall be designed and constructed to meet or exceed the baseline requirements of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers [ASHRAE] 90.1-2016 or any more stringent Code edition adopted by the DFA. Any major facility projects which do not have conditioned space as defined by ASHRAE 90.1 are exempt from this requirement. 2. A major facility project is defined as any new construction project larger than five thousand [5,000] gross square feet or any repair and renovation project which involves more than fifty percent [50%] of the replacement value of the facility where compliance is cost-effective and practical. Where compliance of an otherwise applicable repair and renovation project is not cost-effective or impractical, such determination, including written justification, shall be maintained in the procurement file. 3. All major facility projects shall be commissioned by a Commissioning Authority Professional independent of the primary architect/engineer and their Consultants for the project to ensure that all energy related systems are installed, calibrated and performed according to project requirements and the Contract. The Commissioning Authority Professional [individual and firm] shall be registered to practice engineering in the State of Mississippi and shall be certified by the Building Commissioning Association as a certified commissioning Professional and/or accredited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a commissioning process provider. The Commissioning Authority Professional shall be retained directly by the UA and shall be separate from the Professional responsible for the design of the project. D. Product Selection: 1. Where materials, finishes, furnishing, and other products made in or incorporating materials produced in Mississippi meet project requirements, the Professional shall include such products in specifications. a. Where both Mississippi manufactured products and non-Mississippi manufactured products are identified as equals, product origin shall not constitute a bid preference. b. Where only one Mississippi product meets project requirements, this shall not justify single source exception from bidding requirements. c. A listing of Mississippi manufacturers is available from the Mississippi Development Authority. 2. Where materials, finishes, furnishings, and other products with recycled content are available, are cost-effective and meet project requirements, the architect or engineer shall consider specifying these products over comparable products without recycled content. a. Where both recycled content products and products without recycled content are identified as equals, recycled content shall not constitute a bid preference. b. Where only one manufacturer meets recycled content goal, this shall not justify a single source exception. 3. Where materials, finishes, furnishings, and other products with low volatile organic compound [VOC] emissions are available, are cost-effective and meet project requirements, the architect or engineer shall consider specifying these products over comparable products with higher volatile organic compound emissivity. a. Where both low VOC products and higher VOC products are identified as equals, VOC emissivity shall not constitute a bid preference. b. Where only one manufacturer meets low VOC goal, this shall not justify single source exception. 4. Where materials, finishes, furnishings, and other products containing rapidly renewable materials are available, are cost-effective and meet project requirements, the architect or engineer shall consider specifying these products over comparable products without rapidly renewable material content. a. Where both rapidly renewable content products and products without rapidly renewable content are identified as equals, rapidly renewable content shall not constitute a bid preference. b. Where only one manufacturer meets rapidly renewable content goal, this shall not justify single source.