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Alliant 3 is a GSA Government-Wide Acquisition Contract for businesses that provide information technology (IT) services, released with the intent of streamlining the acquisition of IT services and emerging technology for the federal government. With no contract ceiling and a 15-year maximum period of performance, clearly the stakes are high.
While relevant experience and past performance constitute the bulk of the points-based evaluation, applicants can differentiate themselves in one key regard: Completing the Public Disclosures for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
The U.S. has set climate targets of reducing GHG emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. While the proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) has not been finalized, the amendments called for in an Executive Order (Opens a new window) include requiring major federal suppliers to publicly disclose GHG emissions and set science-based reduction targets, and “ensuring that major Federal agency procurements minimize the risk of climate change,… and, where appropriate and feasible, give preference to bids and proposals from suppliers with a lower social cost of greenhouse gas emissions.” By capturing the full costs of GHG emissions, including taking climate-related risks into account, you can facilitate sound decision-making, recognize the breadth of climate impacts, and support the country’s climate goals.
However, with a Jan. 10, 2025, deadline looming, do prospective applicants lacking this critical differentiator have time to catch up? Absolutely.
With a sustainability advisor experienced in calculating and reporting GHG emissions under the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, turnaround can be as little as three to five weeks for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Per the Alliant 3 RFP (Opens a new window), this small investment garners 17% higher points than an ISO certification, which typically takes anywhere from three to twelve months and often requires an external audit by a registrar.
Understanding your carbon footprint also conveys benefits far beyond the scope of Alliant 3.
- Reducing waste and usage of natural resources results in tangible bottom-line growth.
- Making investments in decarbonized assets or more sustainable fuel types and facilities can increase your return on investment, as sustainability-focused investments are underwritten at a discount.
- Increasing your ESG rating opens doors to purpose-driven investors and access to more efficient capital, such as sustainability-linked loans at better-than-market rates.
- Major markets, like the European Union and the state of California, already require businesses in scope to report emissions, to say nothing of the fact that major customers with net-zero targets will soon be asking for this data from their suppliers regardless. Similarly, the GSA has set aggressive climate goals, such as procuring 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions for its building portfolio by 2045.
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This has been prepared for information purposes and general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and CohnReznick, its partners, employees and agents accept no liability, and disclaim all responsibility, for the consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.