[EXAMPLE] SOLICITATION FOR FINAL PROPOSAL FOR THE
CWC (OR NAME OF AGENCY) 200X RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY VALIDATION AND ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
DUE Day, Month, 200x

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INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY VALIDATION AND ASSISTANCE PROJECTS

The purpose of this solicitation for Recycling Technology Validation and Assistance Projects is to evaluate:
· recycled product processing and manufacturing improvements
· potential new recycling technology opportunities, and
· new recycled-content product developments
as solutions to specific problems in recycling and as strategic means of engaging new market opportunities.

It is anticipated that the contracts awarded as a result of this RFP will be standard cost reimbursement, and maximum-not-to-exceed contract. Typical project duration is expected to be about six to ten months.

Project submittals will be competitively evaluated against the following criteria and objectives. Any process assessments (as opposed to feedstock conversions and technology validations), that may not directly result in a new product or process, will be rated according to their projected potential for achieving these objectives.

· Addition to the technical knowledge base on the use of recycled materials or recycling technologies.
· Applicability or transferability to other products and/or companies.
· Increase in value of recycled materials or end products, and/or decrease in sale price of recycled content product compared to competing products.
· Increase in consumption or processing capacity of recycled materials.
· Technical and logical soundness of work plan, timeline and budget.
· Result in competitive end products with high recycled content levels, or commercialization of a recycling technology.
· Contribution of significant match (in-kind or cash).
· Qualifications of Applicant (and service provider or partner(s) - if applicable).
· Literature and preliminary research findings presented in proposal supports conducting this project.
· Ability to start the project in early May and make significant headway on the project by June 30, 1999.

If a service provider or partner is used on this project, and the role of that entity is to manage the scope of work, provide technical expertise, submit invoices, track in-kind contributions, and prepare final reports or other deliverables, it is likely that the AGENCY will contract directly with the service provider to execute the project.

AGENCY will participate in the selected projects by monitoring progress, jointly participating in project decisions, consulting with the grantees on the work plan and any work modification during the project, and by conferring with the grantees on the interpretation of the project results. AGENCY staff will be responsible for monitoring the performance of the grantees, the approval of major decisions or actions by the grantees, billing, and the acceptance or rejection of any deliverables.

General questions about development of the proposal can be e-mailed to xx or faxed to xx. AGENCY staff are able to provide project specific input, but are unable to review or comment on written proposals, in whole or part, prior to the submittal date. Project-specific questions and issues can be addressed directly to AGENCY staff.
Contact staff by phone or e-mail at: xxx

An electronic version of the proposal template and/or these instructions may be requested by e-mail from ___ or fax at ___

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
These funds are public, intended to result in information and data that is of value to the public. Therefore, information and data obtained through this solicitation and throughout the awarded project, is subject to public disclosure legislation. In the event an Applicant desires to claim partial information exemption from disclosure, the Applicant must clearly and specifically identify those portions within the proposal. An assertion by an Applicant that an entire volume of its proposal is exempt from disclosure will not be honored.

Awarded projects that require certain proprietary technologies or processes remain confidential, will establish prior agreement between the proposer and AGENCY, during contract negotiations, on the allowable constraints on information and data confidentiality.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES
An executive summary and full final report are mandatory. The final report summarizes the project findings, conclusions, lessons learned, and the significance of the project. (Reference Public Disclosure Clause above). Invoices and quarterly progress reports are required. In addition, deliverables such as assessment findings, test plans, and test data may be requested on an interim basis. Specific requirements will be identified in the contract negotiation process.

ALLOWABLE EXPENDITURES FOR REQUESTED FUNDS
Requested cash funds are to be expended only on the services outlined in this RFP. Requested funds may be in any amount up to $xx,000 U.S. Requested funds may cover the following expenses:

· labor hours (engineering, management, technical, administrative, etc.)
· transportation costs (freight, delivery, handling)
· laboratory testing fees
· test equipment rental
· raw materials and consumable supplies
· production time
· travel (based on applicant's state per diem)
· indirect and overhead costs NOT to exceed 20% of the total project cost

Requested funds may NOT cover:
· capital expenses or equipment purchases of any kind
· production costs incurred in making a product ready for sale
· market analyses

Request for a portion of the available AGENCY consulting services must be detailed by task, as to number of hours and type of service requested. Include travel hours in the estimation for total requested service hours. (Do not include expenditures for travel; these costs will be covered by AGENCY).

ALLOWABLE IN-KIND OR MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS
Allowable in-kind contributions include all of the categories listed under allowable expenditures for requested funds. Grantees are required to document cash and in-kind contributions for all project participants. It may be possible to include equipment purchase as match as well. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION PROCESS
A complete proposal submittal consists of one (1) completed, signed, original proposal PLUS ONE (1) copy. The submittal must arrive at CWC no later than 5 pm PST on xx, 200x. Each submittal must include:

Supplementary information is OPTIONAL, and may be attached as an appendix with the proposal to provide additional background or support for a project. Supplementary information includes letters of support from multiple participants, journal or newspaper articles, product literature, company literature, or product samples. Please limit this information to 5 pages.

Proposals shall be printed on double-sided, 8.5 x 11-inch, recycled-content paper, or e-mailed. Address the proposal to: AGENCY, ATTN:

Review or comments may be solicited from independent experts outside the original review panel as deemed necessary. Additional financial information may be requested to determine financial soundness.

AGENCY will notify applicants by phone, letter or fax, on or before xx, 200x, whether or not their project is eligible for funding.

SUBMITTAL STIPULATIONS
A. No costs chargeable to the proposed contract may be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract.
B. AGENCY will not be liable for any costs incurred by the applicant associated with the proposal preparation.

C. Proprietary Information/Public Disclosure - Materials submitted in response to this competitive procurement shall become the property of AGENCY.

1. All proposals received shall remain confidential until the contract, if any, resulting from this RFP is signed by the Director of AGENCY/PNWER and the grantee.

2. In the event an Applicant claims that portions of its proposal are exempt from disclosure, the Applicant must specifically identify those portions. An assertion by an Applicant that an entire volume of its proposal is exempt from disclosure will not be honored.

D. The review panel reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received without further discussion of the proposal submitted. AGENCY reserves the right to waive any variance from these requirements. The final selections will be those proposals, which in the opinion of the review panel, best meet the criteria and requirements set forth in this RFP.

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