Sustainable bidding in public administration

analysis of environmental criteria in labor contracts at the Federal University of Uberlândia

Abstract

This article analyzes the inclusion of environmental sustainability criteria in the bidding processes for contracting outsourced labor at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), in light of Brazilian legislation and national guidelines for sustainable public procurement. The qualitative research adopted an exploratory and descriptive approach, based on documentary analysis of two bidding processes (conducted in 2018 and 2022) and interviews with institutional managers. The data were examined in light of current legislation (such as Decree No. 7,746/2012, Normative Instruction No. 01/2010, and Law No. 14,133/2021) and the technical framework of the National Guide for Sustainable Procurement. The results reveal the inclusion of environmental criteria in a generic manner, without operational requirements, performance indicators, or oversight mechanisms. The interviews point to a still nascent institutional culture regarding the internalization of sustainability in public procurement. Furthermore, a lack of internal regulations regulating the application of sustainable criteria was identified, as well as ongoing technical training. Based on these findings, the study proposes guidelines and recommendations for strengthening environmental governance at UFU, contributing to the consolidation of institutional policies that effectively integrate sustainability principles into public procurement processes.