Dalton, GA, June 1, 2007--California’s Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has
awarded Tandus, a commercial floorcovering company based in Dalton, Ga., an $83 million
carpeting supply contract in connection with all future renovations and new construction projects
throughout its nine college district, over the next five years. It is the largest such contract
awarded, as well as the most environmentally sustainable, in the history of the flooring industry.
"LACCD consciously challenged the flooring industry to significantly improve the sustainable
character and long term quality of carpet for the numerous public construction projects that will be
using this contract. Tandus not only met the sustainable challenge, but offered a superior value
to win this important bid," said Larry Eisenberg, Executive Director for Facilities Planning and
Development for the LACCD.
This landmark, district-wide carpet bulk procurement comes on the heels of the LACCD’s
commitment and dedication to provide a better quality of life for its students through sustainable
initiatives that are not only quantifiable, but that demonstrate stringent protocols for all future
building projects.
With the support of its Board of Trustees, the LACCD worked to set environmental guidelines that
all bidding vendors were asked to meet within their products/contracts. These requirements
included:
· Manufacturer has to demonstrate the ability to recycle products at the end of their useful life;
· Minimum of 90% recyclability of all materials;
· Third party certification that no antimicrobials have been added to products;
· Third party certification that products are environmentally preferable;
· All products must meet U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Guidelines to environmental
marketing for recycled content;
· 40% recycled content on all backing materials, met by third party certification; and
· Minimum 10% recycled content on face yarn construction.
In addition, the manufacturer must have a take-back program in place for its products. To date,
Tandus is the only carpet manufacturer with a sustainable warranty that guarantees that all carpet
returned will be recycled in its entirety and that no portion will be landfilled, incinerated (including
waste-to-energy), or disposed of in any other way.
Meeting the above requirements and beyond, Tandus’ ER3® modular carpet tile and ER3
cushioned Powerbond will now be the standard carpeting in any new and renovated projects in
schools within LACCD’s jurisdiction. In addition, these products meet the California Gold
Platinum Standard.
"Tandus commends the LACCD for its thoroughness and rigor of their selection process, as well
as its obvious demonstrated commitment to the environment,” said Glen Hussmann, President
and CEO, Tandus. “Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and we are honored to be
embarking on such a positive path with LACCD, making a lasting and positive difference in the
quality of life for its students through sustainable initiatives. We are proud to be the supplier
chosen and recognized for our capabilities in design, technology and sustainability brought
together inunison for such a flooring project.”
The largest community college district in the United States, the LACCD, or the District, serves
over one hundred cities and communities within a geographical area covering eight hundred and
eighty-two square miles.
The nine colleges within the District educate more than 188,000
students a year and include: Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles
Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles
Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College and West
Los Angeles College. The mission of the District is to provide comprehensive lower-division
general education, occupational education, transfer education, counseling and guidance,
community services, and continuing education programs which are appropriate to the
communities served and which meet the changing needs of students. More information can be
found online at www.laccd.edu.
