HONOLULU - The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has opened two requests for proposals (RFP) - one for community-based management of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) on O‘ahu and another to support green waste management on the Islands of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu.

An RFP totaling $200,000 is being made available for Hawai‘i-registered non-profit organizations on O‘ahu that have developed viable projects to control CRB in their neighborhoods. Up to eight community organizations will be awarded a maximum of $25,000 each. Higher award amounts will be considered for proposals that are of extraordinary merit, that have a wider benefit outside their communities. Priority will be given to community groups that have demonstrated concern about CRB during public meetings or activities within the past year.

Application information on the RFP (RFP-24-02-PI)has been posted on the State Procurement Office website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/24331  Proposals must be submitted electronically to the HDOA at: [email protected]  by noon on June 7, 2024.

The other RFP (RFP-24-01-PI) is for proposed projects by community non-profit organizations to eliminate CRB in green waste, the primary breeding environments. A total of approximately $200,000 is available for projects to manage green waste in neighborhoods. A total of five awards, each with a maximum of $40,000, with one project each on Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu. 

Green waste includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, hedge and tree trimmings, fruits and vegetables, palm fronds, and other similar plant materials that can be composted. Proposals will be reviewed for clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and data collection methods to show the measurable outcomes were met.

Proposals for the green waste RFP must be submitted electronically to the HDOA at: [email protected] by noon on June 7, 2024. As with the other RFP, priority will be given to community groups that have demonstrated concern about CRB during public meetings or activities within the past year. Details and application information for this RFP are available at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/24330 

Awardees will be required to provide state tax clearance and a Certificate of Vendor Compliance from the Hawai‘i Compliance Express, indicating compliance with state procurement laws.