May 1, 2012

Dear Researchers,

The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has as its mission statement: "To maximize grower returns by maintaining premium brand positioning for California avocados and improving grower sustainability." In January 2011, the Commission Board defined the Strategic Technical Imperatives CAC will need to meet its mission as:

• Effective grower education
• Increase average per acre production
• Achieve and sustain critical industry mass
• Maintain a premium quality product

From the Imperatives the Production Research Committee developed a list of Strategic Technical Requirements with deliverables and expected outcomes for the California Avocado industry. Some of the most pressing issues facing the California avocado industry are: overcoming the negative impact of reduced amounts and poorer quality water (especially issues related to salinity and the use of reclaimed water), improvement to disease and pest management, information systems to help California avocado growers with cultural management decisions, and developing new growing areas through innovative growing systems matched to the growing area that are high yielding and low cost.  

To best meet the Strategic Technical Requirements, Technical Initiatives that are holistic, multi-year and multi-disciplinary are likely to be required. The California Avocado Commission is now requesting Technical Initiative Concept Proposals. Responses to are due at the end of business 5.00pm June 15, 2012.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Production Research Committee and the California Avocado Commission Board of Directors in a two-step process:
 

1. Technical Initiative Concept Proposals will be reviewed and discussed by the Production Research Committee (PRC) and may include an oral presentation of selected Initiatives in early July. The PRC will then make a recommendation to the CAC Board of Directors in their mid-July Board meeting where the full Board will consider their support for the Concept Proposal. For those Proposers with Technical Initiative Concept Proposals approved by the CAC Board will then be asked to complete a detailed project description for final review and approval.
2. Detailed project descriptions based off the approved Concept Proposals will be required by the end of business 5.00pm August 24, 2012 for PRC consideration and recommendation to the CAC Board. Final approval of the detailed projects will be made at the October Board meeting after which research contracts will be entered into with the research institution by 1 November, 2012.

Printed copies of this Request for Proposals are available by e-mailing Jonathan Dixon at jdixon@avocado.org, or calling CAC at 949 341 1955, Ext. 107. Thank you very much for your time and interest. I look forward to receiving your concept proposals.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Dixon, Ph.D.

Research Program Director

California Avocado Commission