Sioux Falls Finance prefers Energy Star equipment, recycled-content paper, and EPEAT-rated electronics in city contracts, but vendor preferences are advisory and do not bind private buyers under SD bid law.
Under Ch. 36 finance rules, departments are encouraged to specify environmentally preferable products when cost-competitive: Energy Star HVAC, EPEAT bronze-or-better computers, and minimum 30 percent post-consumer paper. Public Works fleet purchases consider hybrid options. South Dakota's competitive bidding statute under SDCL 5-18A requires lowest responsible bidder, so sustainability is a tiebreaker rather than a mandate. Sioux Falls School District and Avera follow parallel internal policies. Private businesses face no procurement requirement; LEED certification on private projects is voluntary.
There are no penalties; departments missing sustainability targets face only internal reporting follow-up from the Sustainability Coordinator and quarterly progress reviews.
See how Sioux Falls's sustainable procurement rules stack up against other locations.
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