The use of SBTool on public procurement: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The discussion of the difficulties in the integration of environmental sustainability requirements in public buildings and the subsequent evaluation of the design projects leads to the analysis of the limits imposed by the laws governing the public procurement process, the formulation of the call for bids and the Terms of Reference for the assessment criteria. In 1993, Brazil implemented into practice the 37th article of Brazilian Federal Constitution by means of the signature of federal law number 8666 enforcing general rules on administrative contracts for design projects (construction and engineering services). All government levels must obey this regulation. In 2010, the law received an amendment obliging all contracts to follow sustainability requirements. In this sense, some difficulties have been detected. Although LEED and HQE / AQUA have been adopted by some Brazilians entrepreneurs, SBTool assessment method and tool is freely available to the public and, for this reason, can be easily adapted and integrated in public procurement processes. Thus, this research deals with the preliminary analysis of the potential adoption of SBTool in buildings in order to lead development assessment of projects with environmental quality. Results already indicate the potential of SBtool on Brazilianâ s public procurement process as long as it has been considered since the beginning of the design process (pre-design phase).