Request for Proposals
Carpet America Recovery Effort is a non-profit organization that represents a joint effort of the carpet industry and government to reduce the disposal of discarded post-consumer carpet. CARE focuses on developing market-based carpet reclamation and recycling methods.
CARE is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek a consultant to identify sources of public and private funding and financing and obtain monies for innovative carpet reuse and recycling activities conducted by entrepreneurs and researchers (universities and institutions). Funding in the range of $100,000 to 5,000,000 is being sought. This project will be conducted in two phases:
Phase One involves creating a directory of funding and financing information and resources. The directory must contain pre-qualified funding prospects that are at least potential candidates to fund entrepreneurs.
Phase Two is contingent upon identifying appropriate funding and financing sources, and includes:
o Identifying and selecting funding or financing for which either recipients, or CARE, and/or its partner organizations could act as conduits for funding
o Applying for at least three grants and/or financing
Consultant Qualifications
The consultant should be knowledgeable and familiar with the following:
· Solid waste management, waste reduction, reuse and recycling
· Funding sources, including, but not limited to, grants from federal and state agencies, and private foundations
· Financing, such as low-interest loans and bond financing
· Recycling market and business development, including but not limited to: research and development, business development, product development, financing, market assessments and marketing
· It is preferable, but not required, the consultant also have knowledge of difficult to recycle materials such as carpet, and the carpet industry
Consultant should have experience in the following:
· Identifying sources of funding and financing
· Providing technical assistance to entrepreneurs
· Writing grant proposals
· Obtaining grant funding
CARE values a creative and entrepreneurial approach to conducting research and developing proposals, including fostering partnerships and in-kind services and matching funding among stakeholders, such as members of CARE, especially the carpet industry. Funding and financing should only be identified and sought for reuse and recycling activities and not waste to energy, cement kilns or other reclamation or disposal methods.
First Phase Deliverables
Deliverables will include:
· Directory of sources of funding, and financing, including:
o Type of funding or financing
o Entity
o Contact information
o Brief description
o Eligibility criteria
o Deadlines and timing cycles
Consulting Services
Consulting Services will include:
· Making a presentation(s) to the following: 1) CARE Board of Directors; 2) CARE annual meeting in May 2006; 3) CARE entrepreneurs meeting
· Facilitating the process of making recommendations and selecting grant programs
· Drafting and filing grant proposals
Budget
· Up to $5,000 is available for Phase 1
· Travel costs to make presentations
· Compensation for drafting and securing funding (Phase 2) will be negotiated on a commission basis
Timeline
· Directory: Two months from the commencement of the project
· Presentation to CARE Board: Six months (approximately)
· Filing Proposal: Dependent on funding cycles
Responses
Responses to this solicitation will include the cover letter, resume, examples of any similar deliverables, a general work plan and timeline, and three references.
Response to RFP: Replies must be in CARE’s office no later than August 25, 2005 by 5:00pm. Replies received beyond his time may not be considered.
Details on CARE, along with our 2004 Annual Report and Annual Meeting information, may be found at: www.carpetrecovery.org
Electronic submission of proposals is strongly encouraged.
Please submit proposals to:
Bob Peoples
Executive Director
CARE
310 Holiday Av.
Dalton, GA 30720
E-mail: bpeoples@carpet-rug.org