Excerpt from Duke University’s Vendor Code of Conduct 1
5. Diversity and Environmental Programs
A. Supplier Diversity (Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program)
Duke University voluntarily maintains a Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program (MWBE) as part of its effort to increase participation of women and minority vendors. The goal is for a minimum of five percent (5%) of the university’s purchases to come from MWBE firms. This is a goal, not a set-aside or quota. We seek to achieve this goal through primary and second-tier suppliers (suppliers who contract with larger supply companies doing business with Duke). All primary suppliers must submit a plan with their bid, indicating how they intend to use women and minority vendors as their second-tier suppliers. Each plan will be evaluated based on good faith efforts and will consider the following factors: o Availability of women/minority vendors who can supply the goods and services requested in the Request for Bid. o Competitiveness of the prospective second-tier suppliers.
Where possible, vendors are encouraged to use second-tier suppliers in close proximity to Duke.
The use of local minority and women-owned businesses strengthens our commitment to the local economy. In all cases, however, it is expected that the vendors meet the criteria of price, service and delivery. Supplier diversity will be one, but not the sole, consideration in all contract awards.
Ultimately, it will be left to the discretion of the primary supplier as to which second-tier supplier it uses. All minority/women vendors must be certified by one of several agencies: municipal, state, federal, the National Minority Supplier Development Council or Duke. When a contract is awarded, the supplier is required to maintain its second-tier effort and submit monthly reports on its progress.
B. Environmental Program
Duke University strives to become a leader in environmental stewardship. Toward this purpose,
Duke has initiated an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program. Our goals are to minimize waste, reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and model environmental protection practices within the Duke University and Duke Medicine. For details, see Duke’s EPP
Guidelines at http://www.finance.duke.edu/procurement/green/epp.php
.
With respect to product packaging, Duke seeks suppliers offering:
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Packaging with post-consumer recycled content
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Packaging that is locally recyclable
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Minimized packaging
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Packaging reclamation and reuse programs
With respect to laboratory supplies, Duke seeks suppliers offering:
 Product reclamation and recycling programs
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Calibration services that will extend product life
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Reusable alternatives to commonly discarded products
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Alternatives to mercury and natural latex
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Personnel that will seek-out, identify and promote environmentally friendly products through their purchasing system, within the storerooms and throughout the labs
 The ability to provide quarterly spend reports with regards to green product purchases
 Active participation in Duke’s EPP program, including dissemination of information and collection of recyclable and reusable lab materials upon delivery

An in-house staff that follows the fundamental beliefs stated in Duke’s Environmental
Statement, which can be viewed at: http://www.duke.edu/sustainability/documents/Duke Env Policy statement.pdf

Excerpt from Duke University’s Vendor Code of Conduct 2
Duke gives preference to suppliers with a commitment to cost, quality, and environmental excellence. Bidders are encouraged to include concise information on reduced impact products and services. Include relevant certifications of materials sources and manufacturing processes.