CARE Seeking Funding for Carpet Recycling Projects

Dalton, GA, August 10--Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has issued a 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: -Identifying and selecting funding or financing for which either recipients, or CARE, and/or its partner organizations could act as conduits for funding -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: -Type of funding or financing -Entity -Contact information -Brief description -Eligibility criteria -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