Virginia Tech
IN-2: Innovation 2

“2010-2011 Request for Proposal for Student Organization Sustainability Initiatives” (Green RFP) As an alternative to a student green fee initiative, the University created a pilot program to solicit and respond to proposals from recognized student organizations to help advance campus sustainability. Representatives from the Office of Budget and Financial Planning and the Office of Sustainability (recently renamed the Office of Energy and Sustainability) established the “Green RFP Program.” RFP stands for “Request for Proposal.” The criteria for proposal selection, the process, timelines, and the format for proposal submission are described in the Memorandum, “2010-2011 Student Organization Sustainability Initiatives (Green RFP Pilot Program)” dated September 3, 2010. Please see: http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/STARS/2010_11_Request_Proposal_Student_Organization_Sustainability_Initiatives_Green_RFP.pdf The intent of the program is to utilize the Energy and Sustainability Committee to act as a third party to review and prioritize student organization sustainability initiatives. On September 27, 2010, the Energy and Sustainability Committee held its first meeting for Academic Year 2010-2011. The agenda included a brief introduction of the Green RFP pilot program and a discussion on member roles and responsibilities. Members were briefed that Green RFPs submitted by student organizations would be presented to the Energy and Sustainability Committee for prioritization at their subsequent meeting on October 25, 2010. In order to meet the aggressive schedule, the Committee established a Green RFP Subcommittee which would be tasked to review all Green RFPs prior to October 25. The Green RFP Subcommittee consisted of Denny Cochrane (Chair), Madeline Schreiber (faculty member), Rob Lowe (staff member), and Spencer Riddle (student member). Denny Cochrane is the Sustainability Program Manager in the Office of Energy and Sustainability and also served as the primary contact person for student organizations wishing to submit a Green RFP. Student organizations submitted their Green RFPs to the Office of Energy and Sustainability during October 2010. The Office of Energy and Sustainability provided a review and analysis of eight Green RFPs which included examining the narrative, cost figures, supporting information, and feasibility. The Green RFP Subcommittee met on October 22 and reviewed the eight proposals. The Subcommittee addressed each proposal separately and paid particular attention to the number of students each proposal may support. On October 25, 2010 the Green RFP Subcommittee presented the Energy and Sustainability Committee with a list and brief description of each of the eight Green RFPs and their recommendations. Four of the proposals were enthusiastically received and endorsed by the full Committee in the following priority order: Priority #1: 15 Bike Racks (Combined the Environmental Coalition RFP for 10 racks and the SGA RFP for 5 racks) Priority #2: 10 Mixed Paper Recycling Containers for External placement near Residence Halls Priority #3: Funding for Virginia Tech Students to host the “2011 Virginia Power Shift Conference” Priority #4: Irrigation System and Water Connecting Line for the Sustainable Garden Demonstration Two other proposals had merit, but the Energy and Sustainability Committee felt they needed additional analysis, and therefore were not recommend for funding at this time. These proposals included a “Solar Powered Generator” (SUNRNR) and “Outdoor Individual Recycling Containers for Aluminum Cans and Bottles.” On October 29, 2010, the Office of Energy and Sustainability presented the Green RFPs Notebook to the Office of Budget and Financial Planning for approval and funding consideration. Outcome: In his March 15, 2011 Memorandum, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer Mr. M. Dwight Shelton, Jr. approved all four proposals and provided funding in the amount of $26,763. Please see: http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/stars/green_rfp.pdf Funds were expeditiously transferred for the appropriate accounts and the Office of Energy and Sustainability was charged with overseeing the execution of the projects. Priority projects 1, 2 and 4 began during the 2011 Spring Semester. Cash matching funds were provided for priority project 3 and coordination is underway to develop a strategy for students to raise their half of the $5,636 total.