Request for Proposal Technology Vetting Process, Consulting Services Please respond by January 26, 2018 Maine Technology Institute 8 Venture Avenue Brunswick Landing Brunswick, Maine 04011 Contact: Brian Whitney / bwhitney@mainetechnology.org / (207) 582-4790 Background A rapid decline in the demand for paper products has led to the recent closure of five pulp and paper mills and the periodic idling of two biomass electric facilities. Between 2014 and 2016, the total economic impact of the forest products industry fell from $9.8 billion to $8.5 billion, and more than 5,000 jobs were lost. Maine has lost 50 percent of its softwood pulp market in the last two years and has experienced a significant decrease in the demand for biomass. The manufacturing of new forest-based products in Maine provides opportunities for new and expanded forest products businesses, a more diversified forest economy, high value exports, and increased jobs and wages in rural areas. This includes transfer/commercialization and import of technologies into Maine, commercialization of Maine developed technologies, and the adaption of technologies from other sectors and clusters. In addition, use of underutilized or shuttered mill sites provides additional opportunities for Maine s rural communities to build resilience and diversity local economies. Maine Technology Institute in partnership with the Maine Forest Economy Growth Initiative, seeks to attract investment in the research, development and commercialization of emerging forest-based technologies including bio based chemicals, biopolymers, cellulosic biofuels, and nanocellulose composite materials, as well as other technologies that could be co-located at underutilized sites or in conjunction with forest-based technologies at shuttered sites, as an opportunity for the utilization of Maine s forest-based materials that currently lacks markets or sites that need additional activities. Project Goals Maine needs to manufacture value-added wood products here, including existing and commercially demonstrated products as well as new and developing products. This includes new technologies that have already been commercialized or are being used successfully at facilities around the world, for example nano-cellulose, cellulosic sugars and solid wood technologies like cross laminated timbers (CLT). Priority should be given to technologies with strong commercial feasibility including realistic time to commercialization and technologies that make a business case for co-location at existing and
shuttered sites in Maine, including but not limited to forest-related products, or technologies that add value to forest-related companies. For example, those that can utilize the thermal or energy loads or would benefit from existing site infrastructure. Projects goals are to build a system for Maine to interact with emerging technologies and companies best suited for adaptation to Maine s resources, value chains and infrastructure assets in its rural, forest-economy based communities in the most efficient and effective manner to attract investment and to attract and build companies in Maine. Scope MTI, through the Maine Forest Economy Growth Initiative, seeks a contractor to develop and implement an approach to conduct due diligence and vet emerging technologies opportunities and business cases for the forest products industry and Maine communities. The project will be a pilot-scale effort to establish and test a vetting team, process and tools that can be scaled through the larger forest products industry initiative as that effort rolls out data sets and information that can better inform the overall emerging technologies strategy. It is anticipated that the contract will run for 18 months, with potential for renewal for another 18 months if MTI and Emerging Technologies advisory team deems pilot to be a success and scalable. The contractor will be responsible for developing the team, tool, and process flow of technoeconomic analysis, as well as identifying the landing place for maintaining and scaling the effort (including database). The contractor will work closely with MTI and the Maine Forest Economy Growth Initiative, including the Maine Forest Products Council and the University of Maine, Maine s Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine & Company and the Maine International Trade Center. The contractor is responsible for pulling together currently disparate efforts and should recognize that their work will be embedded within a larger ongoing effort. The Contractor could coordinate the following tasks and identify or develop the tool, team and process flow to complete the tasks, but should also bring their own expertise to what additional or alternative tasks should be included. The tasks and percentages of effort are meant to be illustrative and not prescriptive as outlined below. Process flow should include determining when the hand off to the individual site, investors or community team should take place and NDAs to be executed. I. Identify Emerging Technologies and Companies ( fill the pipeline ) (15% of effort) a. Coordinate with the Governor s office and State connections to build on relationships already being fostered with potential technology companies b. Use the results of the Global Competitive Analysis currently being conducted by the Global Market Analysis Committee c. Use a request for information (RFI) or Innovation Challenges to identify emerging technology opportunities that could be shared statewide (transition of the industry, underutilized sites) d. If possible, use the results of individual RFPs and Challenges already conducted by individual companies and sites in Maine e. Include MTI s current and pending portfolio, including Maine Technology Asset Fund 2.0 (MTAF2.0) f. Field off the street inquiries from companies, non-profits/universities, and communities II. Vet & Evaluate Emerging Technologies through technoeconomic analysis (60% of effort) a. Conduct due diligence on the technology and business b. Coordinate Site Visits for, and to, prospective companies
c. Conduct techno-economic evaluations d. Review prototypes/pilot trials III. IV. Conduct match-making services that incorporate the following elements (15% of effort) a. Technology b. Locations c. Companies d. Material supply e. Investors Develop database and landing place, including recommendations on resources needed to maintain data and access for multiple stakeholders - (10% of effort) Anticipated Project Deliverables I. Established vetting team, tool and process flow for managing opportunities, with associated financial/budgetary implications II. Evaluation of how well above system worked, recommendations for improvements needed to sustain the effort and what changes are needed for the next iteration III. Coordinated database that is accessible to critical stakeholders in Maine IV. Identification of the landing place or home for the database and other related information, including ongoing financial implications for ongoing maintenance V. Outline of connection and matchmaking team and financial implications of related packages VI. Metrics report out: # of companies/technologies attracted and vetted, # of matchmaking opportunities underway, investment $$s attracted Eligible providers Service providers must have and maintain a presence within the State of Maine, if not be headquartered in Maine. At the time of submission, the service provider must be in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances of the United States, the State of Maine, and if selected to provide services, must remain in compliance during the service agreement(s) duration. Eligible providers must be knowledgeable about the forest products industry and wood processing as well as emerging technologies and willing to work closely with both MTI staff and the Emerging Technologies Advisory Committee. Timetable The following timetable will be followed to assure a timely response for all parties: Issuance of request for proposal January 16, 2018 Submission of written proposals January 26, 2018 Review and selection of finalists January 31, 2018 Oral presentations February 5-9, 2018 Final selection February 12, 2018 Work should commence in mid-february 2018.
Inquiries Inquiries or notices concerning this RFP should be directed to: Brian Whitney, President Maine Technology Institute 8 Venture Avenue, Brunswick Landing Brunswick, ME 04011 Email: bwhitney@mainetechnology.org Telephone: (207) 582-4790 Fax: (207) 582-4772 Responses to questions received will be posted as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on www.mainetechnology.org. Submissions Proposals must be received by MTI no later than 5:00 PM on January 26, 2018. Proposals may be electronically transmitted, mailed or delivered to the attention of Brian Whitney at the address noted above (see Inquiries). Timely delivery of the proposals is the sole responsibility of the provider. Proposals received after the stated date/time will not be considered. All providers acknowledge and understand that MTI will not pay for any costs incurred in connection with the preparation or submission of a proposal. Proposal format Proposals should not exceed 15 pages. That said, MTI does not endeavor to be overly prescriptive. We are open to innovative and creative proposals that will help us achieve our goals and are open to the use of subcontractors as needed to build the process and team. Budget Please provide a detailed 18-month project budget. MTI and the Emerging Technology Advisory Committee recognizes there are multiple ways to approach the effort and welcomes proposals that provide more than one budgetary approach to consider. Selection process Proposals will be evaluated by a team made up of MTI staff and Emerging Technology Advisory Committee members. The team will select finalists, who will then be provided an opportunity to meet with the team to make an oral presentation and answer questions. Factors to be considered in evaluating proposals include relevant experience and ability; the written proposal; feedback from references; cost; and a commitment to work with MTI as an integral partner. The final award may be subject to approval by MTI s Board of Directors or a committee thereof. MTI reserves the right to reject any and all submissions without the right of recourse by proposers. References For reference purposes, please provide the names and contact information for three, preferably similar, clients to the MTI engagement.
About Maine Technology Institute The Maine Technology Institute s core mission is to diversify and grow Maine s economy by encouraging, promoting, stimulating, and supporting innovation and its transformation into new products, services and companies, leading to the creation and retention of quality jobs in Maine. The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is an industry-led, State-funded, nonprofit corporation that offers early-stage capital and commercialization assistance in the form of competitive grants, loans, and equity investments, as well as entrepreneurial guidance and mentorship, to support the research, development, and application of technologies that create new products, processes, and services, generating high-quality jobs across Maine. Additionally, MTI is asked on occasion to administer a variety of research and development-focused bonds and other initiatives on behalf of the State to stimulate private and public-sector investments in research and development infrastructure, equipment, facilities construction and renovation, and to help advance emerging technologies and innovation throughout Maine. About Maine Forest Economy Growth Initiative The Maine forest products industry is looking to strengthen and diversify to ensure the success of the forest economy in the future and strengthen economic opportunities in rural communities across the state. The global forest products industry is changing, and if Maine adapts quickly and strategically, we can maintain our leading role in a global forest economy. In the spring of 2016, members of the forest products industry, affected communities, and other stakeholders came together to develop shared strategies to strengthen and diversify Maine s forest industry and rural economies. The priorities outlined by the Forest Economy Growth Initiative are intended to achieve the following goals: 1) Sustain Maine s existing forest products businesses; 2) Attract capital investments and develop greater economic prosperity in the forest products sector across the State for both existing and new businesses; 3) Support the revitalization of Maine s rural communities as places where people want to live, work and visit.