The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a prominent nonprofit organization advancing the science of water, has issued RFP 5368 to develop a robust framework for evaluating alternative water systems. These systems include potable and non-potable municipal wastewater reuse, desalination, and stormwater management. The project aims to address the growing need for integrated decision-making that encompasses economic, environmental, and social considerations. It excludes niche sources like atmospheric water capture and floodwater harvesting and proprietary or point-of-use systems that do not scale for community-level planning.
This RFP seeks proposals that will lead to the creation of a standardized, user-friendly decision-support framework. The goal is to aid utilities, municipalities, industrial users, regulators, and community planners in assessing the benefits and trade-offs of alternative water systems. Proposals should ensure that the framework incorporates both monetized and non-monetized benefits, including ecosystem services, public health, and social well-being. Additionally, proposals should address the challenges of financial feasibility and market dynamics, such as ROI expectations and technology adoption rates, particularly in comparing centralized versus decentralized systems.
The project is structured around several core tasks: reviewing existing literature and frameworks, analyzing financing and market dynamics, developing the new decision-making framework, defining key indicators (economic, environmental, and social), conducting comparative assessments, and evaluating community acceptance factors. Research teams must include expertise in community engagement to understand cultural, emotional, and trust-based barriers that influence the adoption of these systems.
Proposals will be evaluated on understanding and responsiveness to the RFP, scientific merit, qualifications of the team, communication plan, and budget adherence. A maximum of $300,000 in WRF funding is available, with a mandatory 33% cost share from the applicant. Acceptable cost share contributions include in-kind services or third-party contributions compliant with federal standards. The performance period is 24 months, and deliverables include a guidance manual, case studies, an executive summary, and potentially a web-based tool.
Eligibility is open to U.S.-based and international applicants, including educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, consultants, and other for-profit entities. Submissions must be completed online by 3:00 pm Mountain Time on Thursday, November 20, 2025. For inquiries, applicants may contact Jessica Metcalf at jmetcalf@waterrf.org or 303.347.6115. Proposals must adhere to WRF’s Guidelines for Research Priority Program Proposals and will be governed by federal administrative and audit standards.
The opportunity is recurring and follows an annual cycle. Based on the current due date and posting history, the next expected cycle would likely begin in September 2026. The deadline for submission in this cycle is November 20, 2025, and interested applicants are encouraged to prepare well in advance to align with the program's rigorous expectations.
