The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain proposals from organizations interested in forming a Rebuild Michigan community partnership. Rebuild Michigan is designed to foster partnerships that will promote increased energy efficiency within a community. This program focuses on community-based energy planning to insure that local needs are met and a sustained local effort is established.  The community-based effort also helps insure that local products and resources are used to the fullest extent possible.  The community partnership is typically led by a municipality or municipal utility, school, college or university, community/economic development agency or an energy-related, non-profit organization.  The partnership may include any combination of public and private organizations that are willing to promote building energy efficiency within the identified community.

Community partners have access to Rebuild Michigan technical and informational services that include preliminary building energy analyses, energy benchmarking, and financial incentives for K-12 energy education, workshops/events, and Energy Star building labels.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides interested parties with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit their proposals for consideration by the State of Michigan to award a start-up grant for a Rebuild Michigan community partnership.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Public and non-profit organizations are eligible to submit proposals to plan and put into action a Rebuild Michigan program in their community. Public Housing Agencies are not eligible under this solicitation, but can submit proposals under another solicitation specifically for them.  Current Rebuild Michigan community partnerships are not eligible. For the purpose of this solicitation, communities are defined as areas with a residential population of at least 5,000 and a minimum of fifteen (15) commercial/institutional buildings. Examples of defined communities include universities with an on-campus residential population of at least 5000; also, townships, cities and villages, counties, and other multi-jurisdictional entities. Only one grant will be awarded per community. If multiple proposals are received from an area, the Energy Office reserves the right to negotiate a single grant award among the competing applicants. Communities with a residential population of 10,000 or more can qualify for a maximum grant award not to exceed $24,900.  Lesser populated communities may qualify for proportionately smaller grant awards.

Inquiries

Questions that arise as a result of this RFP outside of the pre-proposal conference must be submitted in writing to the Issuing Office either by mail, email, or fax.  Telephonic questions cannot be answered.  All questions must be submitted on or before Friday, August 3, 2007.

Pre-proposal Meeting

A pre-proposal conference will be held for this RFP on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Contact Tom Krupiarz, Energy Office, 611 West Ottawa Street., P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909; telephone number: (517) 241-6229; email address: krupiarzt@michigan.govto confirm plans to attend in person or to join via conference call. Directions and map to the Energy Office, adjacent parking and/or call in number will be provided.

Response Date

Proposals must arrive at the Issuing Office by 5:00 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2007.  An applicant that mails a proposal should allow normal delivery time to ensure timely receipt of their proposal by the Energy Office.

ISSURING OFFICE AND FUNDING SOURCE

This RFP has been issued by the Energy Office,   Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.  The point of contact is Tom Krupiarz, Program Coordinator, Energy Office, 611 West Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, Michigan 48909; telephone number: (517) 241-6184; fax number: (517) 241-6229; email address: krupiarzt@michigan.gov.

This grant will be financed 100% by a federal funding program.  The source of funding is the U.S. Department of Energy.

GRANT AWARD

The Issuing Office will undertake Grant award negotiations with an applicant whose proposal shows them to be best qualified, responsible and capable of launching a successful Rebuild Michigan community partnership.  The Issuing Office expects to award up to six grants. The maximum grant award will not exceed $24,900, $5,000 of which is contingent on the fulfillment of specific grant tasks outlined in this RFP.  All project funds must be used for personnel, marketing, printing, technical support, or administrative costs.  No project funds may be used to purchase equipment.  Projects funded by this grant must be completed in a 12-month period.  The Issuing Office expects to issue grant agreements with a 25% match requirement (up to $6,250 for the maximum grant) from the applicant.  Matching funds (cash and/or in-kind) must be applied to direct project costs and cannot be from a federal funding source.  Future energy project implementation investments cannot be applied to an applicant's match. An applicant match greater than 25% is encouraged.