Request for Proposals
CSM Technology Fee
Fall 1999

Please Note: Technology Fee proposals are considered twice per academic year. Proposals submitted by the Fall semester deadline are considered for funding that will allow early Spring semester implementation. Proposals submitted by the Spring semester deadline are considered for funding that becomes available after July 1 so they may be implemented by the beginning of the Fall semester.

Technology fee proposals for Fall 1999 consideration are due Monday, April 5, 1999
The Technology Fee Committee will be available to answer questions about planned proposals from
Noon to 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 25, in the Ted Adams Room in the Green Center (GC270)

Background: Technology fee revenues and matching funds are administered through the Technology Fee Committee, which was established to solicit, review, and fund proposals. Technology fee guidelines (available via the Technology Fee Committee web page or in print form from the Computing Center) contain background information about the technology fee with which you should become familiar.

Eligibility: Proposals are accepted from any academic program, department, or division; the Computing Center, the Library, and any official CSM Student Organization including recognized student chapters of professional societies and organizations. Only proposals meeting the criteria outlined in the Technology Fee Guidelines document can be considered for funding.

Format and Content: Proposals shall contain five sections as listed below and printed in 10 point or larger font. Each section shall be limited in length as noted:

COVER SHEET: The Technology Fee Proposal Worksheet shall form the cover sheet (view or download PDF, Word 97 version). Proposals submitted without a completed worksheet will not be considered.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Within a maximum of one page of text, the entire proposal shall be summarized. This is the most critical part of the proposal. It gives evaluators their first impression of the nature and quality of the proposal. It should be written in simple language, so that it can be readily understood. This is not the place to argue your case in detail. Excessive information is unnecessary and may be counterproductive. It may be best to write the Executive Summary only after all other sections have been completed, and it should certainly be checked at that stage. A good Executive Summary contains the following elements:

TECHNICAL OR STRATEGIC BASIS FOR PROPOSAL: Within two pages of text, this section defines the importance of this request and how it fits within the computing and/or technology strategy of the department or organization. This is the heart of the proposal and will form a primary basis for judging its quality. Where necessary, supplemental materials may be submitted to clarify this section (see Supplementary Materials section below). This section should be clearly written to convince evaluators of the merits of the proposal by describing: EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER BENEFITS THAT WILL ACCRUE: Within one page of text, this section defines the specific educational and other benefits that will accrue to students if this proposal is approved. In addition to summarizing how students will benefit, this section must address: The allocation of benefits to students within the department or organization, and to those outside the department or organization, should be clearly specified.

BUDGET DETAILS AND NARRATIVE: Within two pages of text this section shall address:

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS: Supplementary materials (product information, quotes, computing lab plans/maps/design, etc.) may be submitted, attached to the back of the proposal.. Proposal writers are cautioned, however, that evaluators are under no obligation to review supplemental materials. Voluminous supplementary materials may be considered as non-responsive to this RFP, and may be counter-productive. When available, however, a department or organizational strategic plan defining the longer-term expectations for harnessing computing and technology to satisfy program goals and objectives shall be accepted as an appendix. The presence of such a strategic plan should be noted in the narrative.

Proposal Submission and Deadline: In order to expedite review, twelve copies of the Technology Fee Proposal are to be submitted (two-sided preferred). Electronic submission is not available. Proposals for Fall Semester 1999 consideration will be accepted in the Computing Center main office (GC 232) until 5:00pm on Monday, April 5, 1999. Most funds awarded through this process will not be available until after July 1, 1999.
 

Important!
The Technology Fee Committee recommends that proposals be singular in nature, addressing a focused need or project.  Submitters are encouraged to coordinate their efforts within their departments or organizations, however.  If multiple proposals are being submitted by a department or organization, all proposals must be bundled together and submitted with a memo from the department head or organization chair or advisor that summarizes the relationship of the proposals to department technology needs and strategies.

Evaluation Criteria: Specific criteria used by the committee to evaluate proposals will include:

In the past, the committee has placed great importance on the demonstration of commitment to the support of the technology by the submitting departments or organizations. This commitment is typically demonstrated by investment of departmental or organization funds and resources, or by the leveraging of technology fee awards to obtain other grants and resources. Lack of such commitment and support requires a comprehensive explanation as to why matching resources are not available or are not being pursued.

Provision of additional technical support from department resources (not the Computing Center, not the Institution) will be considered as demonstrating departmental commitment.

Guidelines and Comments:

Please Remember: