Investments in Forest Industry Transformation FULL PROJECT ... · 5th Call for Proposals...

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Investments in Forest Industry Transformation

FULL PROJECT PROPOSAL

Stream 1 – Capital Investment Projects

5th Call for Proposals

APPLICATION FORM OVERVIEW

Applicants are encouraged to review the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Applicant Handbook Stream 1: Capital Investment Projects prior to completing the Full Project Proposal form. The Handbook was developed to assist applicants in preparing their submissions to the IFIT Program. It provides guidance on the type of information to be included in the application and describes the additional documents that are required as part of the submission. It also explains how the IFIT Program will review proposals in a consistent, fair, and transparent manner and how the program will communicate with applicants at different stages of the process. This form is broken down into six (6) major parts followed by annexes, attestations, and a submission checklist: Part 1: Executive Summary Part 2: Applicant Information Part 3: Project Information Part 4: Mandatory Criteria Part 5: Rated Criteria Part 6: Expected Benefits and Performance Management Annexes

A – Statement of Work B – Risks and Mitigation Measures C – Financial Analysis Templates

Attestations

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Application Package Checklist

The IFIT Program will be accepting proposals through its Funding Portal INTEGRO. Applicants will be required to input their answers to Parts 1 through 6 as noted above directly in the online portal. This application form is provided to enable applicants to get an overview of the requirements, work collaboratively to complete the information, or seek approvals prior to applying. As a best practice, applicants are encouraged to use this form to draft their responses, however applicants will be required to transfer the information directly to the online portal. The Annexes and Attestations must be completed in a spreadsheet and word processing program respectively and uploaded through INTEGRO. The Application Package Checklist is a tool for applicants and does not need to be submitted to NRCan.

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NOTES TO APPLICANTS

1. To select a checkbox - right click in the box, select “properties”, select “checked”. 2. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the word character limits are respected for each question. The box sizes in this form do not necessarily reflect the character limit - you may wish use the “Word Count” tool in your word processor (e.g. in Microsoft Word: Review Tab / Proofing Section / Word Count Tool). 3. Unless otherwise specified, the “Proposed Project”, the “Project”, or the “Proposal” in this application form refers to the proposed project submitted to the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program. 4. Completion and submission of this application to IFIT does not imply that the proposed project will be approved by IFIT. 5. Applicants must submit all information specified in this Application Form. Failure to provide the necessary information may lead to rejection of the Proposal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the Proposal clearly and thoroughly demonstrates how each criteria is met. The attached technical information is required to support the information in this application form. 6. The applicant should provide information concisely while still providing sufficient details to ensure complete understanding by reviewers. 7. This form is confidential when completed, with the exception of marked fields. 8. When you have completed the Application Form, please submit all required information via the Natural Resources Canada Funding Portal - INTEGRO.

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PART 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Please note that information entered in this section may be shared publicly.

Legal name of applicant company:

If operating name is different, please provide it or enter NA:

Project Title:

Project location Facility:

City:

Province:

Latitude/longitude coordinates:

Briefly describe the proposed project and how it constitutes an advancement of a forest sector

technology, process, or product in Canada (2,000 characters maximum):

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PART 2: APPLICANT INFORMATION Head office address:

Street Address:

City/Town:

Province:

Postal Code:

Company GST number:

Annual sales in Canadian dollars:

Company Website:

Number of full-time employees:

Number of part-time employees:

Number of years company your has been in operation:

Has your company (or your partner organization(s)) received funding from Natural Resources Canada in

the last 5 years?

__ Yes __ No

If yes, please specify the name of the program:

Does your company have a Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Plan in place?

__ Yes __ No

If you answered yes, you are encouraged to include the plan as an attachment.

Please note that a Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Plan is a Program requirement for all funded

projects. If your project is selected for funding, the Plan will be required prior to receiving funding. A

template is available on the IFIT website, however, applicants may use the format of their choice.

Primary Project Contact

Name:

Title:

Company:

Telephone:

Email:

Project responsibilities:

Preferred language: __ English __ French

Secondary Project Contact

Name:

Title:

Company:

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Telephone:

Email:

Project responsibilities:

Preferred language: Preferred language: __ English __ French

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PART 3: PROJECT INFORMATION

Application Stream:

__ Stream 1.a: General Enterprise

Open to companies of any size, including small enterprises requesting more than $1 million for a total

project of any cost. Maximum funding amount per project is: $20 million

__ Stream 1.b: Small Enterprise

To be eligible under this stream, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

Company employs 50 or fewer people

Funding amount requesting from IFIT is $1 million or less

Total project cost including IFIT requested funding is $3 million or less

If the above conditions are not met, please select stream 1.b.

Provide a short description of the facility at which the project will take place (350 characters maximum):

Project Funding: Estimated total project cost:

IFIT funding request (maximum 50% of total project cost):

How have capital and project cost estimates been established? Please note that it is mandatory that the

estimate is within a +/-20% degree of accuracy.

Estimated total project cost by government fiscal year and funding source:

Please note that the government fiscal years run from April 1 – March 31 (e.g. April 1, 2020 – March 31,

2021)

Funding Source IFIT Program

April 2020-March 2021:


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April 2023-March 2025: N/A IFIT eligible cost period ended March 31, 2023.

Total Amount:

Applicant





Total Amount:

Other





Total Amount:

Total Project





Total Amount:

Other Sources of Funding1: Please note that confirmed funding means that an agreement has been signed.

Name of Organization:

Requested Funding Amount:

Confirmed: __ Yes __ No







1 Add or remove sections as necessary

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For any unsecured funding (other than IFIT), when do you expect it to be secured? What is the

contingency plan in the event funding is not secured? (1,400 characters maximum)

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PART 4: MANDATORY CRITERIA

a) Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients are for-profit companies located in Canada that either:

produce forest products in an existing forest product manufacturing facility (for example, pulp,

paper, or solid/engineered wood products facility)

OR

are/will be new entrants in the forest sector for the purpose of the proposed project.

Eligible recipients can include includes clusters, joint ventures, and consortiums, provided that a for-

profit company acts as the lead applicant.

Do you meet the above criteria? __ Yes __ No

Describe your company’s principal line of business. (350 characters maximum)

If you are a lead applicant for a cluster, joint venture, consortium or similar organization, please describe

the organization and your role within it. (350 characters maximum)

b) Technology Advancement The proposed project must constitute an advancement in the Canadian forest sector.

All of the following must be true to meet this criteria:

The project will produce or will lead to the production of innovative bioproducts or bioenergy

OR will employ new process to produce forest products.

The proposed project will be carried out at a pilot to commercial scale. (IFIT funding cannot

support projects at a research and development stage.)

The project should be the first installation, at the proposed scale and specification, in the

Canadian forest sector (including components of larger systems and technologies that improve

efficiency of upstream activities or logistics within the forest sector supply chain).


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What is the scale of your project?

__ Pilot or demonstration scale – Technology employed to produce a small quantity of a product for

technical and market analysis (i.e. will produce small volumes in support of future full scale

development).

__ Commercial – Full scale facility that intends to produce products for profit.

__ Unsure

Please describe the production capacity of the proposed technologies. (E.g. the volume of feedstock the

equipment can process, the volume of product that can be produced, etc.)

c) Integration within the Forest Sector Supply Chain

The project must be located at an industrial facility, existing or new, in Canada. It may be:

connected to an existing forest sector industrial process (e.g. innovative process or technology

to improve efficiency within an existing (open or closed) facility).

OR

a stand-alone project within the supply chain (e.g. production of an innovative new product at a

designated facility).


Clearly describe how you meet the above criteria. (2,700 characters maximum):

d) Primarily Based on Wood Fibre Project uses material that is derived from wood fibre. This includes, but is not limited to, by-products

generated by industrial wood processing and wood residues.


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PART 5: RATED CRITERIA

a) Technical Feasibility i. Describe the product(s) that will be produced or the technology that will be implemented by this

project. Include a description of the process used to implement the project and, if applicable, an

estimate of the quantity of the new product that is expected to be produced once the project is

implemented. Applicants are encouraged to attach and reference a technical report, which provides

information supporting the successful implementation. (5,500 characters maximum):

ii. Provide any product standards or certifications that need to be met by your product. What product

specifications will be monitored to achieve a quality product? (1,400 characters maximum):

iii. What remaining engineering design and/or technical studies are required to initiate the project?

Have engineering firm(s) been identified or retained to perform these studies? (1,400 characters

maximum):

iv. Has the process/technology been demonstrated or verified by a third party? If so, who? (1,400

characters maximum):

v. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the project? KPIs should be specific, easily

measured, and time bound. They may include production, social, or environmental targets. Please note

that financial indicators will be captured in Annex C of the application. (1,400 characters maximum):

vi. Describe your company’s experience with completing innovative industrial projects of similar scale.

(1,400 characters maximum):

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vii. Provide information for key project team members2:

Name:

Role:

Organization:

Relevant Experience/Expertise:

Name:

Role:

Organization:


Name:

Role:

Organization:


Name:

Role:

Organization:


Name:

Role:

Organization:


b) Innovation i. Describe how the project is innovative for the Canadian forest products sector. (e.g. Is it an entirely

new product or technology, a first implementation in the Canadian forest sector? Is it an innovative

solution to a specific industry or regional challenge?). (2,700 characters maximum):

ii. What is the technology or market gap addressed by this project? (1,400 characters maximum):


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iii. Do you have the rights to operate the IP for the life of the project? Is the project expected to

generate any intellectual property (IP) (copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights, trade

secrets, etc.)? Has an IP management plan been created to outline the IP rights of the project

collaborators? (1,400 characters maximum):

iv. Describe any Canadian technology content employed by the project (700 characters maximum):

c) Project Partnerships If you have more than one partner, please repeat sections for each. This section is not meant to

capture corporate partnerships (e.g. legal joint ventures). Note that a partner must have a vested

interest in the project (e.g. an equipment provider would not be considered a partner).

Documentation MUST be attached to validate the partnership claim.

Legal Name of Partner:

Business Sector of Organization:

Website:

Primary Contact:

Title (e.g. Senior Engineer):

Email:

Phone Number:

Address:

Describe how this partnership benefits the project (e.g. technical expertise, market entry, in-kind/cash

contribution) (1,400 characters maximum):

Legal Name of Partner:

Business Sector of Organization:

Website:

Primary Contact:

Title (e.g. Senior Engineer):

Email:

Phone Number:

Address:

Describe how this partnership benefits the project (1,400 characters maximum):

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d) Business Plan i. Provide a summary of the project business plan. Note that a full business plan is a required

attachment for all streams of funding. (2,000 characters maximum):

e) Fiber Supply i. Does your project use a waste stream or underutilized wood fibre?

__ Yes __ No

ii. Describe the fibre supply including its source, security, and term. Describe any impact of the project

on the fibre supply chain in the proposed region. (300 word maximum):

f) Timing Estimated project start date (YYYY/MM):

Estimated project end date (YYYY/MM):

i. Please indicate which of the following are in place for the project as of the date of full project

proposal submission:

__ Construction-ready engineering and costing studies.

__ Required permitting and environmental assessments have been applied for and approved or are

pending approval and will be issued according to project schedule

__ A confirmed project site with the necessary resources.

__ Third party funding is confirmed.

__ Project internally approved for spending.

__ Fibre supply/feedstock confirmed.

ii. Using the table below, describe any required permits or third party approvals required prior to

construction or project commissioning.3

Permit/Approval Name:

Expected date to obtain:

Short Description/ Impact on Project:

Issuing Body:


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Issuing Body:




Issuing Body:




Issuing Body:




Issuing Body:

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PART 6: EXPECTED BENEFITS

a) Describe and quantify where possible the expected economic benefits that would result from

commercial implementation and market adoption of the proposed technology. Specific elements to

consider may include increased economic activity and market diversification. (2,700 characters):

b) Describe and quantify where possible any social benefits the proposed project may generate for

local communities and/or for Canada. Benefits may include the creation of spillover employment

opportunities (e.g. within the supply chain, construction-hours, etc.), potential employment if the

proposed project was scaled up to a commercial implementation, training and student employment,

increased Diversity and Inclusion within the organization, new community infrastructure,

improvements to environmental reputation, or new product offerings meeting changing consumer

needs. (2,700 characters maximum):

Number of jobs created as a direct result of the project:

Number of jobs maintained as a direct result of the project:

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c) Describe and quantify the environmental impacts that would result from the implementation of

the project. (2,700 characters maximum):

Direct environmental benefits of the proposed project

Indirect or spillover benefits

ANNEX A: STATEMENT OF WORK4

Please complete a Statement of Work for the project, including major tasks and key activities required

to complete those tasks. Describe deliverables and timelines. The major activities must adequately

reflect the scope of the work of the proposed project and show progress throughout the duration of the

project.

The Statement of Work will form the basis of the scope of the contribution agreement. The following

general tasks may be considered however, applicants are encourage to use tasks that best align with the

proposed project:

Project management and engineering

Equipment procurement and installation

Civil and structural installation

Mechanical installation

Electrical and instrumentation installation

Commissioning

Trials and optimization

1. Task name:


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Description: Task Activities: Completion Date: Outputs: 2. Task name: Description: Task Activities: Completion Date: Outputs: 3. Task name: Description: Task Activities: Completion Date: Outputs: 4. Task name: Description: Task Activities: Completion Date: Outputs:

ANNEX B: RISKS AND MITIGATION MEASURES5

Using the table below, summarize the risks associated with the project. For each risk, indicate the

relative probability of occurrence, the estimated risk impact, and provide a summary of the risk

mitigation and risk response strategies to reduce the probability and/or impact of the risk: (please add

rows for each additional risk).

Technical Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:

Impact Low/Med/High:

Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Intellectual Property Risks

Key Risks:


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Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Commercial Implementation and Market Entry Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Regulatory and Permitting Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Budget and Financing Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

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Project Plan and Timeline Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Business Model and Business Plan Risks

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

Key Risks:

Prob. Low/Med/High:


Risk Mitigation:

APPENDIX C: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS TEMPLATES PART 1: PRO FORMA COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

(Please complete and submit Excel version)

PART 2:– INCREMENTAL INCOME STATEMENT AND INCREMENTAL PROJECTED INCOME

PART 3: PROJECT BUDGET BREAKDOWN

PART 4: KEY EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN

Please identify key project equipment. Note that this list does not need to be exhaustive. As a

guideline, capital representing a purchase value that is greater than 5% of total project costs should

be included. Groups of equipment or systems (for example for turn-key contracts) can be listed as one

entry. Note also that equipment selection does not need to be finalized and estimates are acceptable.

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ATTESTATIONS Please PRINT, SIGN, and SCAN this section and include it as a pdf in your application submission.

Applicant name:

Project title:

Date submitted (MM/DD/YY):

By submitting this proposal, the project applicant:

1. Attests they have read and understand all the terms and conditions of the Investment in Forest

Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program set out in this Proposal Form and the Applicant’s Guide.

2. Attests that the company is legally registered or incorporated in Canada.

3. Attest that the information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

4. Attests that approval, from any affected parties, has been obtained to share any confidential

information that is included in the application.

Please note that federal reviewers are bound by the requirements of the Access to Information Act and

the Privacy Act regarding the treatment of confidential information.

5. Understands that, if the project is accepted under the IFIT program, no liability and no obligation

exists on the part of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to make a financial contribution to the project

until a written contribution agreement is signed by both parties.

6. Understands that project costs presented in this application must be estimated with a degree of

accuracy of plus or minus 20%. For stream 1.a, general enterprise projects, this cost estimate must be

supported by a preliminary engineering study.

7. Understands that funding that may be obtained under the IFIT program will not be used for the

production or export of softwood lumber products.

8. Agrees, by checking below, that NRCan can share non-confidential information provided with

other funding agencies in cases where this may be of benefit to the project or applicant.

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NRCan will safeguard personal information according to federal information protection standards under

the Privacy Act and other applicable provincial or territorial privacy legislation of relevance.

__ Yes, information can be shared __ No, information cannot be shared

Please sign below to confirm these attestations:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Signature Date

____________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Duly Authorized Officer for Applicant Title

By signing this document, the officer attests that he/she has provided all necessary documentation to

constitute a completed application and has the necessary authority to apply to the IFIT program in the

name of his/her company.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

In addition to the online Application Form completed through Natural Resources Cananda’s INTEGRO

funding portal, the following documents are required for a complete application package.

Please complete the following checklist to confirm that your application package is complete.

Full Project Proposal Checklist 1. Appendices A-C: Financial Analysis Templates: __ Included __ Not Included

2. Business plan: __ Included __ Not Included

3. Organization chart: __ Included __ Not Included

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4. Project schedule: __ Included __ Not Included

5. Process flow diagram: __ Included __ Not Included

6. +/-20% cost estimate: __ Included __ Not Included

7. Diversity and Inclusion Plan (optional at this time): __ Included __ Not Included

8. Preliminary engineering study - optional for Stream 1b: Small Enterprise applicants: __ Included __

Not Included

9. Site layout - optional for Stream 1b: Small Enterprise applicants: __ Included __ Not Included

10. Study or trial results – optional for Stream 1b: Small Enterprise applicants: __ Included __ Not

Included

You may wish to attach other documentation, including but not limited to a site map, process/piping

and instrumentation diagram, detailed engineering, pilot plant results, sensitivity analysis, or a risk

mitigation strategy.

If you have included non-mandatory documents, please specify the file names for all additional

attachments6:

Document Included:

File Name:

Brief Description and Relevance:

Document Included:

File Name:


Document Included:

File Name:



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