Madison's sustainable-procurement policy requires city departments and contractors to prefer products and services meeting recycled-content, energy-efficiency, and low-toxicity standards consistent with the Climate Action Plan and the Sustainable Madison Committee's guidance.
Adopted under the Mayor's executive order and supporting resolutions, the policy directs the Finance Purchasing Division to embed sustainability criteria in solicitations for paper, vehicles, electronics, cleaning products, and construction materials. Contractors must disclose recycled content, ENERGY STAR or EPEAT compliance, and chemical-of-concern usage. Capital projects above defined thresholds must consider life-cycle costing and embodied carbon. The policy aligns with state cooperative-purchasing rules under Wis. Stat. ch. 16. Vendors that fail to deliver specified sustainable goods may face contract cure notices, withholding of payment, and disqualification from future bids handled through the City Attorney's Office.
Vendors providing non-conforming goods receive cure notices; repeated noncompliance can lead to contract termination, debarment up to three years, and forfeiture of bid bonds under Madison purchasing rules.
See how Madison's sustainable procurement rules stack up against other locations.
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