STATEWIDE CUPPING COMPETITION RFP
Hawaii Coffee Association Invites Proposals for Facilitation of 2025 Annual Cupping Competition
The Hawaii Coffee Association (HCA) has started planning for it’s annual conference and cupping competition and is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the facilitation of the 2025 Annual HCA Cupping Competition. As a cornerstone of the HCA Annual Conference, this event showcases the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Hawaii’s coffee farmers. The conference will be held from July 17-20, 2025, at the Kona Outrigger Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
HCA seeks an experienced and detail-oriented professional or organization to oversee the cupping competition from start to finish, ensuring an efficient and transparent process that celebrates the best of Hawaii’s coffee industry.
Scope of Work
The selected facilitator will be responsible for the following tasks:
Sample Management and Processing
Manage the receipt of green coffee samples from producers across Hawaii.
Organize, catalog, and triple-blind code all samples to maintain anonymity throughout the competition process.
Cupping Lab
Provide or procure a professional cupping lab that meets industry standards for specialty coffee evaluation.
Sample Roasting
Appropriately roast all green coffee samples for cupping evaluation, ensuring uniformity and adherence to competition protocols.
Judge Procurement
Recruit a diverse panel of qualified, experienced cupping judges to ensure impartial and knowledgeable evaluations.
Committee Collaboration
Attend and actively participate in all virtual meetings with the HCA conference and cupping committees to align with event expectations and deliverables.
On-Site Attendance and Award Presentation
Attend the HCA Annual Conference in July to oversee on-site cupping activities and present awards to competition winners during the ceremony.
Documentation and Reporting
Provide detailed documentation of competition procedures and results for HCA records.
Prepare a post-event summary, including feedback and recommendations for future competitions.
Qualifications and Requirements
Proposals should include:
A detailed description of the applicant’s relevant experience, including cupping competition facilitation, sample roasting, and lab management.
A plan for procuring or providing a cupping lab and managing sample roasting.
A strategy for judge recruitment and coordination.
A timeline and budget for executing the competition.
References from past clients or projects, if available.
Submission Details
Proposals are due by December 31 2024. Interested applicants can submit proposals here or direct inquiries to abby@monarchcoffee.com or call 808-339-4166.
The Hawaii Coffee Association encourages global professionals to apply for this unique opportunity to elevate the quality and recognition of Hawaii’s world-class coffee industry.
About the Hawaii Coffee Association
The Hawaii Coffee Association is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting coffee growers, processors, and retailers. Through advocacy, education, and promotion, HCA works to strengthen Hawaii’s coffee industry and enhance its global reputation.
Click here for a PDF version of this RFP