Biobased Products
Biobased Products, designated by the Secretary
of Agriculture, are commercial or industrial products
that are composed in whole, or in significant
part, of biological products or renewable domestic
agricultural materials or forestry materials.
Biobased products can include:
1. Adhesives
2. Construction materials and composites
3. Fibers, paper, and packaging
4. Fuel additives
5. Landscaping materials, compost, and fertilizer
6. Lubricants and functional fluids
7. Plastics
8. Paints and coatings
9. Solvents and cleaners
10. Sorbents
11. Plant and vegetable inks
A detailed description of each category can be
found at: http://www.biobased.oce.usda.gov
Why Purchase Them?
1. It’s federally mandated. The Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm
Bill) requires Federal agencies to establish
procurement preference programs for
biobased products and to purchase these
products if they are reasonably available,
meet performance standards, and are
reasonably priced.
2. The Federal Government spends more than
$400 billion on goods and services each
year. This “green” purchasing program could
enhance the Nation’s energy security by
substituting biobased products for fossil
energy-based products.
3. Many biobased products are environmentally
friendly and can result in safer and
healthier workplaces.
4. Federal purchase of biobased products will:
a. Increase demand for domestic crops
for feedstock to manufacture biobased
products, and
b. Increase economic development in
Rural America by creating new markets
for agricultural products.
Who Is Required To Purchase
Designated Biobased Products?
All Federal agencies are required to purchase
designated biobased products, as defined in the
regulations to implement the statute for all items
costing over $10,000 or when the quantities of
functionally equivalent items purchased over the
preceding fiscal year equaled $10,000 or more.
However, any procurement, by any Federal
agency, which is subject to Section 6962 of
title 42 (Solid Waste Disposal Act), shall not be
subject to the regulations issued under Section
9002 of the Farm Bill, to the extent the requirements
of the latter are inconsistent with those of
the former.
Federal agencies may decide not to procure
designated biobased products only if the items:
a. are not reasonably available,
b. fail to meet necessary performance
standards, or
c. are not available at a reasonable price.