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 NOTE: RFP is closed.
The previous FPPC Proposal (RFP) was centered on limited resource farmers and technology that is applicable to their needs. |
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Viewing the RFP will require the use of Adobe Acrobat software.  |
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| Writing Competitive Proposals:
Responding to the FPPC RFP |
Introduction: FPPC grant application
- The purpose of FPPC grants
- What FPPC grant money can be used for
- The proposal review process
- Can the proposal be readily understood by reviewers?
- Is each requirement addressed in clear language?
- There is no correlation between the length/weight of the proposal and the funding; consider submitting a well-written 20 page proposal.
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Describing the project
» Describe the proposed manure treatment system in detail.
- How does the technology or process work?
- Insert waste stream flow diagram ( a picture is worth a thousand words - show an example with liquid and solids identified).
- Describe previous lab or bench tests.
- Why do you believe the technology will work in an agricultural setting? Will work at farm scale?
- Insert case studies or history of previous trials.
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Details of the proposal: explaining the project
» Amount of manure to be treated (specify solid & liquid):
- Per day
- Per year
- Type of animals
- Number of animals
- Age of animals
- Approximate average live weight per animal
- Type of housing
» Project location:
- Geographic location, including state, county, township, section, and range.
- Insert location map.
- Insert site map showing buildings, landscape features, location where project equipment will be installed.
- Is this location within an area that has identified nutrient issues?
- Provide documentation on the nutrient issue.
» Technology transfer:
- If successful, what type and size of farm will this technology apply to?
- Does this technology have regional applications?
» This project must comply with Federal, State, and local permitting and certification.
- What Federal requirements apply to the project?
- What State requirements apply to the project?
- What local requirements apply to the project?
- What permits must be obtained prior to install equipment and commencing the project?
- Who is responsible for obtaining permits?
- Does this farm have a CNMP [Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan] approved by the state?
- If not, when will one be developed?
» Project monitoring: A detailed monitoring plan will be required as part of the Plan of Work if the project is accepted by the FPPC for pilot demonstration.
- How will performance and results be documented?
- Identify the physical points in the process waste stream where data and/or samples will be collected.
- What is the frequency of sampling? When will sampling start?
- List the parameters that will be analyzed.
- Who will analyze samples?
- Who will analyze the data?
- Who will provide third-party oversight?
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The Technology Provider will be required as part of the FPPC contract to employ the services of an outside, independent third-party (i.e. university, state agency, certified testing laboratory, etc.) to develop the project monitoring plan and document the actual sampling, data and testing for the pilot project and final report results. The purpose of this requirement is to provide objective, credible results of pilot project performance while providing assurance to regulators, the public, technologists, researchers and others in the agricultural community. |
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» Nutrient Reduction / Environmental Impact
- What is the existing nitrogen content of the waste stream?
- What percentage of the nitrogen will be removed by the project?
- Where will this nutrient go?
- What is the existing phosphorus content of the waste stream?
- What percentage of the phosphorus will be removed by this project?
- Where will this nutrient go?
- Are other manure components an issue in this area (e.g. potassium, salt, metals)?
» Comparison of existing and proposed systems - 2 flow diagram could be very helpful in showing the contrast.
- What is the existing manure treatment system on this farm?
- What nutrients are currently removed from the waste stream?
- Where do those nutrients go?
- Contrast the old and new systems.
» Discuss the final disposition and fate of N, P, K nutrients.
- What form are nutrients captured in?
- Is any value-added product planned from these nutrients?
- From the other treated components of the waste stream?
- What is the final destination of removed nutrients? Will it be off farm, out of the watershed or to a consumer market or nursery?
» Additional environmental benefits
- What additional environmental benefits, if any, will be realized from this project?
- Who will benefit from these changes?
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Project Plan
» Identify/list the following:
- Key personnel
- Project manager
- Farm owner & operator
- Technology provider, provider's core strength, any technology partners that will complete project team.
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1. [Vendor is expected to] Supply written commitment that the farm owner/operator agrees with the necessary planning, design, implementation, operation and monitoring occurring on the subject farm/facility. The owner/operator must agree to provide access and be contractually bound for such purposes. As part of the Pilot Project, the farm owner together with the Technology Provider must provide written commitment to provide necessary maintenance and management assistance during the demonstration term of the Pilot Project.
2. The Technology Provider is expected to identify a project leader who will lead, manage, and provide all necessary resources (i.e. a project team) for fully implementing the proposed pilot project at the farm site. |
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- Machinery/equipment to be purchased (specify which items will be purchased with FPPC grant funds)
- Components that will need to be constructed
» Timeline:
- Provide a timeline for project, including all significant events. Identify when deliverables will be submitted.
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The Project Budget: accounting for funds
» Budget - Include the following:
- Total annual project costs
- Detailed analysis of costs associated with design, permitting, construction
- Projected cost of installing this technology on future farms, including cost per head of livestock. If projected cost is significantly less than the project cost per head, explain why.
- Projected cost of operation and maintenance
- Estimated O&M cost per head of livestock
» Intellectual property
- Are any components of the technology already patented?
- Identify parts of the proposal or process that need to be treated confidentially.
» Economic and Business Analysis (follow the template provided in the RFP)
- Cost of the project (break out design, construction, installation, and O&M)
- Projected cost of the technology if installed in future on other farms
- Category of farms for which technology is suited (size, species, etc.)
- Projected 10-year annualized cost (including capital, operation and maintenance costs) of the project expressed as a cost per 1000 pounds of steady state live weight [Animal Unit; AU] for each category of farm system;
- Projected 10-year annualized cost (including capital, operation and maintenance costs) per 1000 pounds of steady state live weight (or the appropriate equivalent by commodity) for each category of an existing farm system (i.e. lagoon and spray field system) designed, constructed and operated in accordance with current laws, regulations, and standards, including NRCS design, construction and waste utilization standards;
- Projected revenues, including income from waste treatment byproduct utilization, together with any cost savings from the new technology; lower projected cost for the next generation systems should be discussed using a learning curve and use of reasonable assumptions.
- The impact adoption of Pilot Projects may have on the competitiveness of the state's industry where the project is implemented, as compared to similar industries in other states.
- Identify all factors/circumstances/assumptions where Pilot Projects costing more than traditional manure management handling systems may be economically feasible.
- The economic analysis should also consider "avoided costs" such as cost savings realized due to the new technology. Opportunities that can be afforded to a farm, such as the ability for expansion, should be analyzed and factored into the overall economics of the Pilot Project.
- Operation and maintenance costs should be broken down into labor, maintenance, repairs, chemicals, fuel, electricity, etc.
» Cost share
- Identify the source of cost-share funds. Clearly show which items are "in-kind" rather than cash.
- Identify other funding sources involved in the project. If other funding is significant, clearly show what components of the project FPPC funds will be used for. Identify what incentives exist for these funding sources.
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