EDF invites qualified candidates to submit an RFP to conduct an assessment of agricultural supply chains in the Delaware River Basin.The assessment will identify supply chain players (food companies, manufacturers, producers, transportation companies, aggregators, processors, etc.) that are sourcing from, working in, or have facilities in the Delaware River Basin.

1. Supply Chain Assessment
Delaware River Basin
Request For Proposals
Released January 16, 2019
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Project Manager: Sara Kroopf, Manager of Agricultural Supply Chains, EDF+Business Program
Contact: skroopf@edf.org | 415 293 6115
Objective: EDF’s Supply Chain team is conducting an assessment to determine the feasibility of
deploying an agricultural supply chain strategy in the Delaware River Basin, specifically focused in
Pennsylvania. The assessment will identify supply chain players (food companies, manufacturers,
producers, transportation companies, aggregators, processors, etc.) that are sourcing from, working
in, or have facilities in the Delaware River Basin in PA, especially in the Brandywine-Christina,
Middle Schuylkill, and Schuylkill Highlands areas that are a part of the Delaware River Watershed
Initiative (https://4states1source.org/our-work/).
EDF has partnered with key food and agricultural companies in priority regions to align and advance
environmental and business goals. To date, this work has focused mostly in Midwestern agriculture,
with a few projects in the Chesapeake Bay area. In order to determine whether a supply chain
strategy could help advance agricultural water quality goals in the Delaware River Basin, EDF seeks a
consultant to conduct an assessment of the Delaware River Basin agriculture-based supply chains.
I. Scope of Work: An agricultural supply chain expert or ag business consultant, preferably
based in or near, or familiar with the Delaware River Basin area, will conduct research to
assess current sourcing from farmland in the DRB in Pennsylvania, including by dairy
cooperatives and processors, poultry and pork integrators, and other food company buyers of
corn, wheat, soybeans, dairy, and animal agriculture products. In addition, the consultant
will outline the landscape of agribusinesses (food companies, manufacturers, producers,
transportation companies, aggregators, processors, etc.), agricultural retailers, and
agricultural consultants that contribute to the local agricultural supply chain. The
consultant’s assessment will answer the following questions:
 What are the most common agricultural products that are produced in this region? How
much of these products (crops and animal products) is produced, processed and/or
exported?
 What are the leading companies who source from this region? How much product do
each of these leading companies source? What is the relationship between these
companies and the producers (farmers)?
o What is the scope and size of these companies’ sourcing footprint and overall
impact in this area?
o Is the company ready to engage in sustainability and in sourcing/supply chain
work?
o How integral are supply chain relationships to the success of this company? Are
the supply chains direct or indirect?
 Where the major production facilities located that process agricultural and food products
sourced from the Delaware River Basin? Who owns these processing facilities?
 Who are the main agricultural consultants or advisors working with farmers in the
region? For which crops? Do these agricultural consultants have experience with
recommending or implementing conservation practices or programs?
 What are the market and sustainability factors impacting these supply chain players?

2. Supply Chain Assessment
Delaware River Basin
Request For Proposals
Released January 16, 2019
2
The consultant can use interviews and traditional research to complete this report. EDF
Supply Chain team will use these findings to develop a full report and feasibility assessment
for the successful deployment of a supply chain strategy.
II. Payment: Negotiable, depending upon Consultant’s level of experience
III. Timeframe:
RFP Released January 16, 2019
Bids Due COB February 25, 2019
Consultant Selected COB March 15, 2019
Project Timeframe March 20-June 28, 2019
A. Deliverables:
 Draft assessment report (April 30, 2019)
 Final assessment report and PowerPoint presentation deck (June 1, 2019)
 Final presentation and discussion session to outline findings and brainstorm next steps
(June 15, 2019)
 Edits and final summary (June 28, 2019)
IV. Bidder’s Primary Contact for the RFP: Please provide the contact information for the
bidder, including name, title, organization, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail
address.
V. General Proposal Requirements: Submit proposals in written form (not exceeding 2
pages, single-spaced, 12 point font) to skroopf@edf.org. Proposals should include a short
summary of the candidate’s experience related to agricultural sourcing, supply chains, and
the Delaware River basin. It should als include a proposed workplan to achieve the objectives
described above, and the proposed budget. Please include the resumes of any personnel who
will be working on this project as appendices. Proposals can be discussed over a phone call
scheduled with EDF Project Manager before February 13, 2019.