2009 Envirofit Africa RFP

2009 Envirofit Africa RFP

Envirofit International is requesting proposals for projects centered on setting up innovative distribution and sales channels for disseminating Envirofit clean technology cookstoves into the African market. NGOs (non-profits) or Non-NGO's (commercial operations) may apply.

Organizations should have experience within the target country in setting up sustainable enterprises with consumer products. In this application, organizations should provide background information on their skill sets and experiences in the listed key areas. Applicants with active, solid distribution channels are a plus, previous stoves business experience is attractive but not required.

This RFP focuses on the following areas:
- Market description and demographics within a specific geographic boundary
- Distribution channel creation and training plans - planned distribution models
- Job creation and training for local entrepreneurs -- sales, marketing and logistics
- Stove sales volume forecast by year - realistic and specific 3 year forecast
- Pricing and Margin assumptions
- Model type assumptions - wood burning stoves, charcoal burning stoves
- IAP (Indoor Air Pollution) awareness raising plans
- Key partnerships including potential MFI (Micro-Finance Institution) partnerships
- Customer tracking capabilities for carbon credit recovery (if applicable)
- 3 year business plan assumptions and self sustainability model

For the basis of this RFP organizations should assume:
1. Envirofit will provide stoves at local market based pricing - allowing reasonable margins through the channel. Envirofit products include biomass-burning stoves, charcoal burning stoves and accessory products. (Envirofit charcoal stoves will be released in late 2009)
2. Envirofit will support delivery of stoves to a centralized distribution point in the country.
3. Envirofit combustion chambers are covered with a 5 year warranty by Envirofit.
4. Carbon credit revenue sharing will be provided where available. Carbon Credit attainment work will be done by Envirofit, with RFP-winning organizations helping with tracking & monitoring. Any net carbon credits will be shared, giving additional revenue for participating organizations.
5. Initial target countries are South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania however other countries within Africa
will also be considered.

A maximum of 7 Organizations will be selected as RFP winners, sharing a maximum of $500,000 annual grant funding. Proposals should be written in English. Budget should be in the range of US$50,000 to US$100,000 per project, per year depending on scope and stove volume projections. Envirofit plans to offer renewal and expansion opportunities in subsequent years based on results.

The deadline for submission is August 30, 2009. Please limit your initial submittal to 20 pages maximum (including any attached supplemental information). The application document and any supplemental information should be attached to an email to Africa-RFP@Envirofit.org. You will receive confirmation of your submittal within 24 hours. Visit http://www.envirofit.org/?q=news/2009EnvirofitAfricaRFP for more information, including application downloads and a copy of this RFP. In early August, we will also post application timelines and relevant FAQs.
NOTE: Information submitted under this RFP will be considered confidential and will not be used for any other purposes.