Spring 2009 Request for Proposals (RFP):

Environmental Problem-solving (NR206) hereby solicits proposals for projects designed to creatively and critically solve authentic environmental problems. 

Proposed projects should meet the following 6 criteria:

1)     Project addresses an authentic need/problem

2)     Project deliverables are well-defined and attainable in a short time period (by May 1st)

3)     Consultants have established one or more community partners

4)     Project is interdisciplinary (at least 2 different disciplines must be demonstrated)

5)     Project is mutually beneficial to the community and consultants

6)     Project evaluation methods are clearly laid out

Calendar of Events
The proposed schedule of key dates in this RFP is as follows:

Issuance of RFP

January 15, 2009

Proposal Due Date

February 12, 2009

Final decision

February 24, 2009

Proposals
Submitted proposals should address the following questions and should be less than 2500 words:

1)     INITIAL PROBLEM ASSESSMENT

·         What is the problem you will address? 

·         What is the context for this problem, and why is this problem important?

·         What is your problem statement (or opportunity statement)?

2)     PROJECT DESIGN

Goals and Objectives: 

·         What are your goals?  What will constitute success for your group?

·         What deliverables (tangible and/or intangible) will you produce?

·         What are your objectives (they should be specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and with a timeline)?

·         What strategies will you use?  Why have you chosen this suite of strategies over other possible strategies?

·         What potential roadblocks might you face (be specific)?

·         How does your project build on previous work in this area?  What literature, resources, or principles are informing your project design?

Evaluation and Assessment: 

·         How will you measure your progress (be specific)? What yardsticks or indicators will you use (be specific)?  What will you measure?   How will you document/demonstrate your success to NR206 instructors and your community partners?

·         What are the project’s endpoints? How will you know when you are done?

·         Will your project have a life beyond your involvement with it? If so, how will you package the end-results and intermediate findings to be of most utility to those who work on the project later?

·         How will you share your findings/tell the story of your experiences?  Who will be your intended audience?

Questions
Any questions regarding this RFP should be submitted to your lecture instructor or your lab instructor.

Submission of Proposals
One copy of your proposal (with resumes of all group members attached) is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 12th.  All proposals should be delivered to the appropriate lab folder on the door of 341 Aiken Center. 

Proposals received after the Proposal Due Date will not be considered, nor will faxed or e-mailed proposals, whenever received. Failure to submit a proposal on time will not be waived under any circumstances (e.g., traffic conditions, mail or courier failure, etc.).

Proposal Decisions
Proposals will be evaluated based on the above criteria and will be scored as follows:

Accepted:  The submitted proposal has clearly addressed the above questions and satisfies all six criteria.  The proposal shows considerable thought and effort.  The proposal is free of spelling and/or grammatical errors, is well written, and is well organized.  100%

Accepted with revisions:  The submitted proposal has clearly addressed all but one of the above questions/criteria.  The proposal shows considerable thought and effort.  The proposal is free of spelling and/or grammatical errors, is well written, and is well organized.  A 100% will be given contingent upon revisions being made.  (If revisions are not made, the score will be lowered to “unacceptable.”

Unacceptable.  The submitted proposal has failed to address two or more of the above questions/criteria, or it contains spelling/grammatical errors, is poorly written, or is poorly organized.   0%

Accepted Proposals                                                                                                          Accepted proposals will be finalized with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by student consultants and community partners by 3/5.

Accepted Proposals will require periodic evaluations and check-ins to measure progress and reevaluate objectives.  One of the following three assessments must include feedback (directly or indirectly) from your community partner.  The timeline for these assessments is as follows:

 

 

Initial assessment and review of objectives with lab instructor

Week of 3/16

 

Second assessment and review of objectives with lab instructor

Week of 4/7

 

Meet with lab instructor for final group project assessment

Week of 4/28