State of Maine RFP / Proposal Master Score Sheet › dafs › bbm › procurementservices › sites...Amanda E. Beal Commissioner Page 2 of 2 rev. 3/5/2018 As stated in the RFP, following

Rev. 2/7/2019

State of Maine RFP / Proposal Master Score Sheet

Instructions: Complete the Master Score Sheet below providing all of the requested information for each bidder that submitted a proposal in response to the RFP. This document is to be included in the Selection Package submitted to the Division of Procurement Services for review/approval.

SCORESHEET FOR RFP# 201904076: Maine Farms for the Future Program – Spring - Phase 2 Applications

PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY: Bahner Farm Morning Dew Farm, LLC South Paw Farm Farmer Kev’s Organics LLC

COST: Cost: $25,000 Cost: $25,000 Cost: $25,000 Cost: $25,000

EVALUATION ITEM POINTS AVAIL.

A. Completeness of Business Plan 5 5 5 5 5 B. Character and Management Capacity 20 18 20 17 18 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management 10 8 10 7 6 D. Collateral and Asset Base 20 17 19 17 18 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital 30 27 28 25 28 F. Other Conditions 15 14.5 15 15 15

TOTAL 100 89.5 97 86 90

PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY: Crooked Face Creamery Lucky Clover

Stables Farming Fungi LLC dba

Mousam Valley Mushrooms

COST: Cost: $25,000 Cost: $25,000 Cost: $25,000

EVALUATION ITEM POINTS AVAIL.

A. Completeness of Business Plan 5 5 4.5 2 B. Character and Management Capacity 20 17 17 15 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management 10 8 10 7 D. Collateral and Asset Base 20 17 19 15.5 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital 30 26 28 17 F. Other Conditions 15 15 14 14

TOTAL 100 88 92.5 70.5

From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: Bahner Farm ([email protected])Subject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:28:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Bahner Farm_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

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Good Morning Christa and Michael Bahner, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert

Farm Viability and Farmland Protection Specialist

small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]

mailto:/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=C7A72869D1C3490684EFB6F54065FC71-GILBERT, STmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Award Notification Letter

June 16, 2020

Christa and Michael Bahner

Bahner Farm

153 Augusta Road

Belmont, Maine 04952

SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program

Dear Ms. Christa Bahner and Mr. Michael Bahner:

This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):

· Bahner Farm, Christa and Michael Bahner

· Crooked Face Creamery, Amy Rowbottom

· Farmer Kev’s Organic LLC, Kevin Leavitt

· Farming Fungi, LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms

· Lucky Clover Stables, Susan S. Austin

· Morning Dew Farm LLC, Brady Hatch and Brendan McQuillen

· South Paw Farm, Margaret E. Mitchell

The bidder(s) listed above received the evaluation team’s highest ranking(s). The Department will be contacting the aforementioned bidder(s) soon to negotiate a contract. As provided in the RFP, the Notice of Conditional Contract Award is subject to execution of a written contract and, as a result, this Notice does NOT constitute the formation of a contract between the Department and the apparent successful vendor. The vendor shall not acquire any legal or equitable rights relative to the contract services until a contract containing terms and conditions acceptable to the Department is executed. The Department further reserves the right to cancel this Notice of Conditional Contract Award at any time prior to the execution of a written contract.

As stated in the RFP, following announcement of this award decision, all submissions in response to the RFP are considered public records available for public inspection pursuant to the State of Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA). 1 M.R.S. §§ 401 et seq.; 5 M.R.S. § 1825-B (6).

This award decision is conditioned upon final approval by the State Procurement Review Committee and the successful negotiation of a contract.

Thank you for your interest in doing business with the State of Maine.

STATE OF MAINE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

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AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Christa and Michael Bahner Bahner Farm 153 Augusta Road Belmont, Maine 04952 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Ms. Christa Bahner and Mr. Michael Bahner: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):

∑ Bahner Farm, Christa and Michael Bahner ∑ Crooked Face Creamery, Amy Rowbottom ∑ Farmer Kev’s Organic LLC, Kevin Leavitt ∑ Farming Fungi, LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms ∑ Lucky Clover Stables, Susan S. Austin ∑ Morning Dew Farm LLC, Brady Hatch and Brendan McQuillen ∑ South Paw Farm, Margaret E. Mitchell


STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

Janet T. Mills Governor

Amanda E. Beal Commissioner

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As stated in the RFP, following announcement of this award decision, all submissions in response to the RFP are considered public records available for public inspection pursuant to the State of Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA). 1 M.R.S. §§ 401 et seq.; 5 M.R.S. § 1825-B (6). This award decision is conditioned upon final approval by the State Procurement Review Committee and the successful negotiation of a contract. Thank you for your interest in doing business with the State of Maine.

From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: amy rowbottomSubject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:26:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Crooked Face Creamery_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

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Good Morning Amy Rowbottom, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]



June 16, 2020

Amy Rowbottom

Crooked Face Creamery

PO Box 1134

Skowhegan, Maine 04976



Dear Ms. Amy Rowbottom:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

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AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Amy Rowbottom Crooked Face Creamery PO Box 1134 Skowhegan, Maine 04976 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Ms. Amy Rowbottom: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






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From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: Farmer Kev"sSubject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:25:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Farmer Kevs Organic LLC_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

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Good Morning Kevin Leavitt, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]



June 16, 2020

Kevin Leavitt

Farmer Kev’s Organic LLC

21 Long Meadow Road

West Gardiner, Maine 04345



Dear Mr. Kevin Leavitt:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

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AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Kevin Leavitt Farmer Kev’s Organic LLC 21 Long Meadow Road West Gardiner, Maine 04345 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Mr. Kevin Leavitt: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






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From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: "[email protected]"; "emily Sharood"; "Aron Gonsalves"Subject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:22:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Farming Fungi LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

image001.jpg

Good Morning Mousam Valley Mushrooms – John Sharood, Emily Sharood and Aron Gonsalves, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


June 16, 2020

John Sharood

Farming Fungi, LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms

21 B Blanchard Road

Springvale, Maine 04083



Dear Mr. John Sharood:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

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AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 John Sharood Farming Fungi, LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms 21 B Blanchard Road Springvale, Maine 04083 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Mr. John Sharood: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






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From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: Susan Austin; Susan AustinSubject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:18:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Lucky Clover Stables_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

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Good Morning Susan Austin, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]

mailto:/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=C7A72869D1C3490684EFB6F54065FC71-GILBERT, STmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


June 16, 2020

Susan S. Austin

Lucky Clover Stables

308 Grammar Road

Sanford, Maine 04073



Dear Ms. Susan S. Austin:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

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AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Susan S. Austin Lucky Clover Stables 308 Grammar Road Sanford, Maine 04073 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Ms. Susan S. Austin: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






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From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: "[email protected]"; "Morning Dew Farm"Subject: Maine Farms for the Future RFP 201904076 Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:16:00 AMAttachments: 2. Final Morning Dew Farm_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

image001.jpg

Good Morning Brady Hatch and Brendan McQuillen, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for ‘next step’ instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


June 16, 2020

Brady Hatch and Brendan McQuillen

Morning Dew Farm, LLC

5 Trails End Road

Newcastle, Maine 04553



Dear Ms. Brady Hatch and Mr. Brendan McQuillen:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

of 2 rev. 3/5/2018

AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Brady Hatch and Brendan McQuillen Morning Dew Farm, LLC 5 Trails End Road Newcastle, Maine 04553 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Ms. Brady Hatch and Mr. Brendan McQuillen: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






of 2 rev. 3/5/2018


From: Gilbert, StephanieTo: Margaret MitchellSubject: Maine Farms for the Future - RFP 201904076 - Phase 2Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:12:00 AMAttachments: image001.jpg

2. Final South Paw Farm_Award_Notification_Letter_1 (5).doc

Good Morning Margaret Mitchell, Attached please find an electronic copy of your Maine Farms for the Future Award Letter underRFP201904076 for Spring 2020 Applications - Phase 2.A paper copy will also be sent to you via US Mail.Congratulations! Please check your inbox early next week for next step instructions. Thank you. Sincerely,

Stephanie Gilbert


small

28 SHS

Augusta, ME 04333

Desk: 207-287-7520

Department: 1-800-367-0223

[email protected]



June 16, 2020

Margaret E. Mitchell

South Paw Farm

355 Greeley RoadFreedom, Maine 04941



Dear Ms. Margaret E. Mitchell:













STATE OF MAINE


Amanda E. Beal

Commissioner

Janet T. Mills

Governor

Page 3 of 3 rev. 3/5/2018

of 2 rev. 3/5/2018

AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER June 16, 2020 Margaret E. Mitchell South Paw Farm 355 Greeley Road Freedom, Maine 04941 SUBJECT: Notice of Conditional Contract Award(s) under RFP #201904076

Maine Farms for the Future Program Dear Ms. Margaret E. Mitchell: This letter is in regard to the subject Request for Proposals (RFP), issued by the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the Maine Farms for the Future Program. The Department has evaluated the proposals received using the evaluation criteria identified in the RFP, and the Department is hereby announcing its conditional contract award(s) to the following bidder(s):






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STATE OF MAINE TEAM CONSENSUS EVALUATION NOTES

RFP #: 201904076 Phase 2 Application Spring 2020 RFP TITLE: Maine Farms for the Future Program BIDDER NAME: BAHNER FARM DATE: June 4, 2020 8:45 AM -12:30 PM

Rev. 1/3/2020 1

*************************************************************************************************************************** Instructions: The purpose of this form is to record all evaluation notes and scoring that is obtained through consensus discussions among the full evaluation team for this Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP Coordinator or Lead Evaluator should complete this form and maintain the only copy. This form should reflect the full team’s consensus evaluations, and this form is not meant to take the place of individual evaluation notes, which are still required from each member of the evaluation team. A separate form is available for individual evaluation notes. Please submit a copy of this document to the Division of Procurement Services as part of your contract award selection documents. DEPARTMENT NAME: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry NAME OF RFP COORDINATOR: Stephanie Gilbert NAMES OF EVALUATORS: Joy Bonenfant, Anne Trenholm, Mark Hedrich, Brian Flewelling, Lori Allen ***************************************************************************************************************************

SUMMARY PAGE

Pass/Fail Criteria Pass: Fail:

Ë (List all pass/fail criteria of the RFP, if any. This section must be completed by RFP Coordinator before proposals are given to review team for evaluation. If a proposal fails any of the pass/fail criteria, the proposal is to be rejected and, therefore, not given to a review team for review.)

ËCompleted Business Plan – Parts A, B & C submitted. X ËA “Selected Farm” for Phase 1: (Phase 1 – 2017; also Phase 1 & 2 – 2010/11) X ËAll licensing X

Points Awarded:

Numerical Score: (Edit sections below to match evaluation criteria within RFP)

A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) 5 B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) 18 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) 8 D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) 17 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) 27 F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) 14.5

TOTAL POINTS (Max: 100 Points) 89.5



Rev. 1/3/2020 2

Completeness of Business Plan

Total Points Available: (Max: 5 Points) Score: 5 Evaluation Team Comments:

A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) Complete organized and thorough



Rev. 1/3/2020 3

*************************************************************************************************************************** Character and Management Capacity

Total Points Available: (Max: 20 Points) Score: 18

Evaluation Team Comments: B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) Good team, diverse background, good past experiences to business



Rev. 1/3/2020 4

*************************************************************************************************************************** Financial Capacity and Debt Management


Evaluation Team Comments:

C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management Max: 10 Points) Reasonable balance sheet and equity, cash flow tight for couple years Increase winter sales will add to off season cash flow = positive



Rev. 1/3/2020 5

*************************************************************************************************************************** Collateral and Asset Base

Total Points Available: (Max: 20 Points) Score: 17 Evaluation Team Comments: D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) Did not explain in detail how plan to build health and protect natural resources. MOFGA and NRCS guidance. Increasing organic crops. Greenhouse – soil criteria not directly apply – shouldn’t be penalized by what they are doing. More of a none applicable. MOFGA has all kinds of critieria for soil management NRCS is national standard Will it improve productivity of the land. Large greenhouse will generate greater yield/productivity on a per acre basis New structure will help maintain physical infrastructure overall Will increase the overall sustainability of the farm – this works towards



Rev. 1/3/2020 6

*************************************************************************************************************************** Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital


Evaluation Team Comments: E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) Will enhance production. Winter production makes sense. better quality and safe than improted from CA Committed labor force Some competition of local farms not a killing competition Seems like sensible plan Market survey was included was critical support for their effort. Positive Agree, do what your customers want. Not what you want. Did great job of discussion about pandemic Very thorough. Positive Only negative is competition. 7,000 vehicles/day



Rev. 1/3/2020 7

*************************************************************************************************************************** Other Conditions

Total Points Available: (Max: 15 Points) Score: 14.5 Evaluation Team Comments:

F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) A: Conservation Objectives: (Max 5 Points) 4.5 Broader – services Cultural amenity and Belfast and Waldo County as well as marketing and customer -based service farm reminds people we are here to grow B: Percentage of Farmland to be under Agreement (Max 5 Points) 5 37 acres will be protected 100% of land currently owned. C: Degree of Change (Max 5 Points) 5 Increasing winter to meet demand that is already there.


RFP #: 201904076 Phase 2 Application Spring 2020 RFP TITLE: Maine Farms for the Future Program BIDDER NAME: CROOKED FACE CREAMERY DATE: June 4, 2020 8:45 AM -12:30 PM

Rev. 1/3/2020 1

*************************************************************************************************************************** Instructions: The purpose of this form is to record all evaluation notes and scoring that is obtained through consensus discussions among the full evaluation team for this Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP Coordinator or Lead Evaluator should complete this form and maintain the only copy. This form should reflect the full team’s consensus evaluations, and this form is not meant to take the place of individual evaluation notes, which are still required from each member of the evaluation team. A separate form is available for individual evaluation notes. Please submit a copy of this document to the Division of Procurement Services as part of your contract award selection documents. DEPARTMENT NAME: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry NAME OF RFP COORDINATOR: Stephanie Gilbert NAMES OF EVALUATORS: Joy Bonenfant, Anne Trenholm, Mark Hedrich, Brian Flewelling, Ann McAlhany ***************************************************************************************************************************

SUMMARY PAGE



ËCompleted Business Plan – Parts A, B & C submitted. X ËA “Selected Farm” for Phase 1: 2018 X ËAll licensing X

Points Awarded:


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) 5 B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) 17 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) 8 D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) 17 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) 26 F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) 15

TOTAL POINTS (Max: 100 Points) 88

A. Completeness of Business Plan



Rev. 1/3/2020 2


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) Complete documentation. Signature page was submitted. Good job with the whole package. Has the passion, very thorough plan. Concur with that. Big change since applied for Phase 1.



Rev. 1/3/2020 3

*************************************************************************************************************************** B. Character and Management Capacity


Evaluation Team Comments: B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) She had 93% retail sales growth in first three months of new retail space. Interesting - Risk management piece lacks scope and detail. Does not provide enough of that detail to merit full score. Needs more nuts and bolts for exit strategy.



Rev. 1/3/2020 4

*************************************************************************************************************************** C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management



C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management Max: (10 Points) Rented facility is positive move, for better exposure. Positive - Scaling the business to meet customer demand. Strong Positive - Has strong foundation on which to build. Question/Interesting – the choice to pay on low-interest loan. Cash from grant might be more helpful if spent in a different area of need/use.



Rev. 1/3/2020 5

*************************************************************************************************************************** D. Collateral and Asset Base

Total Points Available: (Max: 20 Points) Score: 17 Evaluation Team Comments: D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) Benefit of enhancing the viability of farms that this business is buying from. Buying the business’es own waste back – whey into pork – full-circle recycle program. Positive - Using some grant funds for more exposure for hard advertising and building brand recognition.



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*************************************************************************************************************************** E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital


Evaluation Team Comments: E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) Sources and uses – uses are spread out to different areas to move business along, impressed Also noted that, freezer, shelving, website Positive – the future and the plan talk about consistent branding. Using those strategies and building them out. Have gone through upgrade, to create efficiencies. Developing new cheeses, out of state too, smoked has done well, glowing testimonials. Talked well about branding and has worked hard on that. Also varieties of cheese – focused for bigger margin and sell well. All positive



Rev. 1/3/2020 7

*************************************************************************************************************************** Other Conditions


Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) A: Conservation Objectives: (Max 5 Points) 5 Positive – local farm/direct cultural; collaboration with food ag hub in Skowhegan; buying bulk milk keeps production ag; rockport maine cheese; makes triangle with the state – three areas how open space contribute. B: Percentage of Farmland to be under Agreement (Max 5 Points) 5 5 acres will be protected Pledging 100% of what has access to farm C: Degree of Change (Max 5 Points) 5 Strong Positive - Really looking at managing the inventory – fresh, retail, wholesale and ageing to have diversity of products. Moving to Skowhegan has been a big and positive change for the business. Upgrades will attract more customers. More unique products, her business.


RFP #: 201904076 Phase 2 Application Spring 2020 RFP TITLE: Maine Farms for the Future Program BIDDER NAME: FARMER KEV’S ORGANICS, LLC DATE: June 4, 2020 8:45 AM -12:30 PM

Rev. 1/3/2020 1

*************************************************************************************************************************** Instructions: The purpose of this form is to record all evaluation notes and scoring that is obtained through consensus discussions among the full evaluation team for this Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP Coordinator or Lead Evaluator should complete this form and maintain the only copy. This form should reflect the full team’s consensus evaluations, and this form is not meant to take the place of individual evaluation notes, which are still required from each member of the evaluation team. A separate form is available for individual evaluation notes. Please submit a copy of this document to the Division of Procurement Services as part of your contract award selection documents. DEPARTMENT NAME: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry NAME OF RFP COORDINATOR: Stephanie Gilbert NAMES OF EVALUATORS: Joy Bonenfant, Anne Trenholm, Mark Hedrich, Brian Flewelling, Ann McAlhany, Lori Allen ***************************************************************************************************************************

SUMMARY PAGE



ËCompleted Business Plan – Parts A, B & C submitted. X ËA “Selected Farm” for Phase 1: (Phase 1 – 2019) X ËAll licensing X

Points Awarded:


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) 5 B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) 18 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) 6 D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) 18 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) 28 F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) 15

TOTAL POINTS (Max: 100 Points) 90



Rev. 1/3/2020 2

A. Completeness of Business Plan Total Points Available: (Max: 5 Points) Score:5


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) Very thorough. Complete, organized and thorough.



Rev. 1/3/2020 3



Evaluation Team Comments: B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20Points) Business has existed for a number of years. Liked talk of why got into farming. Has a solid and committed team.



Rev. 1/3/2020 4




C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management Max: 10 Points) Leveraged pretty heavy in terms of balance sheet 4:1 Cash flow will be tight, this year and 2021. Will not need to buy-in that will be savings that won’t eat into planned increase in revenues. Can’t afford any mistakes this coming year. Current greenhouses are profitable, and business is servicing debt. Looks like a short period of time before benefits from cashflow from the new assets. Nature of these businesses, want to be prudent with investment. Has a good revenue stream from farmshares. But question the debt, is business being well run? Is it operating on borrowed funds? Farming is paying out, and paying out, and saying the next year’s going to be better, that cycle doesn’t break. Looking at the future. The business has made it this far. One of the values of this program is that it helps farms to connect the dots in the next 3 years and from then to the next 10 to 20 years. The business model is strong.



Rev. 1/3/2020 5


Total Points Available: (Max: 20 Points) Score: 18 Evaluation Team Comments: D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) Buildings are improvements that will become collateral. New physical conditions. Greenhouse preserves soil. New greenhouse will meet existing market demand. Greenhouse will hedge against the weather, bed preparation, reduce soil compaction, increase yields and quality. All will help with labor efficiency.



Rev. 1/3/2020 6



Evaluation Team Comments: E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) Positive – all efficiencies, important when increasing scale strategies good, marketing especially with delivery and affordability on target with wider demographic in Maine. Buying local is an affordable opportunity. Current demand is greater than supply Greater demand over supply is a good problem to have Farms is located within 30 minutes of 5 metropolitan areas. That is a good strategy. Delivery CSA very smart and liked by people. Will expand year-round production and volume. Increase customer base, more wholesale accounts. Not sure how life-time shares will go. Question: has SEC approved for life-time shares. Answer: has done legal work, assume so.



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*************************************************************************************************************************** F. Other Conditions


F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) A: Conservation Objectives: (Max 5 Points) 5 He will use neighbor’s horse manure – carbon-based vegetable product is good point Will utilize compost pad. does lots of reuse and recycling, constructing a road for erosion control One-till planting B: Percentage of Farmland to be under Agreement (Max 5 Points) 5 31 acres will be protected Full hundred % of operation C: Degree of Change (Max 5 Points) 5 Cannot call it new idea, plan adds greenhouses for continued growth of the business. Again though, the business is meeting demand, what’s growing is already sold. He may be able to reduce seasonal employees to build more capacity for full-time = efficiencies


RFP #: 201904076 Phase 2 Application Spring 2020 RFP TITLE: Maine Farms for the Future Program BIDDER NAME: FARMING FUNGI, LLC dba Mousam Valley Mushrooms DATE: June 4, 2020 8:45 AM -12:30 PM

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SUMMARY PAGE




Points Awarded:


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) 2 B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) 15 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) 7 D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) 15.5 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) 17 F. Other Conditions: (Max: 15 Points) 14




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A. Completeness of Business Plan Total Points Available: (Max: 5 Points) Score: 2


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) Technically complete. Lots of moving parts to the plan. Confusingly written. Almost too much information; difficult to decipher meaning.



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Evaluation Team Comments: B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) Plan notes, demand is expanding at double-digit rates. Company members have glowing credentials. Have MBA, experience with other workplaces, owned and operated other companies, skilled at software development, seem to have decent formal governance board. For the expansive group that this company represents something is seems uneven. Overall it is impressive what they have been doing. Shown some savviness that do not want to discredit. It is a steep learning curve for reaching this level of manufacturing. Have capacity to create infrastructure to get product and complexity of SKUs. Maybe some challenges with skill sets for marketplace.



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C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) Yes, theoretically will improve cash flow. Debt service creates huge concerns, improving margins doesn’t show outside overall cash flow and going cash positive. Reducing cost of shitake in next 2 years with projection for 2M then 8M. Cash flow positive in 2020, and show net income in 2021. Have a good following of investors. There is a plan to sell but that is probably farther down the road than it may seem.



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Total Points Available: (Max: 20 Points) Score: 15.5 Evaluation Team Comments: D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) Positive - Lowering material cost per pound Physical condition of facility will improve. Buildings will need significant renovation, have land available to expand if still viable – now expanding to increase production, could construct additional buildings, but the whole thing is already a $600k loss last year. Investors are committed. Perhaps can hang on until become profitable. Seem to be OK this year. Exit strategy to sell. Concerned about couple years of significant losses. This is a corporate operation, with a different model and different philosophy. Need to look at this differently. If investors come in next 12 months then they have some promise. This grant is a drop in the bucket – we are trying to succeed doing to bring the bucks in that work – did apply for grant and loan.



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Evaluation Team Comments: E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) Question – Sustainability not clear with quarter M in short-term debt, total receivables not clear – are they 60 or 90 days – cash flow concerns. Short-term debt payments cut into effective cash flow. Taking on extra debt to decrease cost of mushrooms. Quadruple sales by 2023. Low competition in Northeast US. Seem to have solid homework on competition and market. Sales increase by 25%, not planning They are looking to do volume material purchases to drive costs down, growing their own shitakes aims to reduce costs, Question – are grow blocks coming from China? What if the supply chain is disrupted? Positive - Have done a lot to get into the grocery sector. Question/Interesting – what will the disruptor’s be – China sourcing or Mushrooms. The mushrooms that are grown to off-set bought-in and those that are bought in, are both forms of efficiencies – having the SKUs is very positive. Marketing materials are clear and attractive. Diseases are being taken into account in terms of production. Have some understanding of and some confidence in model and corporate investor. Interesting - How does this operation look in mushroom farming sector. The plan notes that the company is a very similar to set-up to Backyard Farms in Madison. And State Gardens. No single person has skin in the game, this is about outside investors and is a ‘different animal’. Question - Are they any less likely to fail? Answer - If so, just bigger splash. My concerns are not just because of corporate. I see cash flow concerns. At what point might they not get more outside investment? At what point can the company no longer absorb the big negative numbers. There is already a huge loss to fund.



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*************************************************************************************************************************** F. Other Conditions


F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) 1: Conservation Objectives: (Max 5 Points) 4 Positive on cultural amenities in that part of Maine/State Springvale “Farm Walk” area is enhanced. Use lots of recyclable packaging, good environmental benefit. 2: Percentage of Farmland to be under Agreement (Max 5 Points) 5 11.5 acres will be protected 100% of all owned 3: Degree of Change (Max 5 Points) 5 Want to grow most of shitake to decrease unit cost, increase jobs, lots of software development 70% overall with expansion of growth of shitake product from 30% to 80%


RFP #: 201904076 Phase 2 Application Spring 2020 RFP TITLE: Maine Farms for the Future Program BIDDER NAME: LUCKY CLOVER STABLES DATE: June 4, 2020 8:45 AM -12:30 PM

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SUMMARY PAGE




Points Awarded:


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) 4.5 B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points) 17 C. Financial Capacity and Debt Management (Max: 10 Points) 10 D. Collateral and Asset Base (Max: 20 Points) 19 E. Farm Vitality & Development of New Capital (Max: 30 Points) 28 F. Other Conditions (Max: 15 Points) 14




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A. Completeness of Business Plan Total Points Available: (Max: 5 Points) Score: 4.5


A. Completeness of Business Plan (Max: 5 Points) Complete Lacked quantitative information about the business model in the narrative. Had to go find it elsewhere in the financials. Could find it but narrative should include more financial data.



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Evaluation Team Comments: B. Character and Management Capacity (Max: 20 Points)

Documents

State of Maine RFP / Proposal Master Score Sheet › dafs › bbm › procurementservices › sites...Amanda E. Beal Commissioner Page 2 of 2 rev. 3/5/2018 As stated in the RFP, following