Mandela Bay Composites Cluster
Request for Proposal
Establishment of a Composite Capability in the South African Maker Movement
Proposal submitted by
(Insert name of company/person)………………………………………
Date: August 2017
Document Ref: MBCC Maker Movement 2017-01
For the attention of: / Technology Enquiries to:
Mr Andy Radford
Managing Director
Mandela Bay Composites Cluster
Tel:072375 3671
Email: / Dr Kjelt van Rijswijk
Technical Director
Mandela Bay Composites Cluster
Tel:076384 3484
Email:

Background

Composites consist of reinforcing fibres in a polymer matrix, which are commonly used for light-weight corrosion-resistant engineering applications produced by for instance the maritime manufacturing sector. Due to the pleasing look of the reinforcing fabrics and the high-tech look of carbon fibres, composites are also used for less demanding and more creative value-added products such as custom jewelry, eyewear, company gifts, radio controlled cars, drones, etc. Although manufacture of these products requires the same skills as manufacture of engineering-type products, this sector is less prescriptive in terms of standards and quality assurance. As a consequence, the barriers of entry are expected to be less and creativity is allowed to expand beyond what is common engineering practice. In addition, the offcuts and left-over materials of the engineering-minded sectors can be used as a “free” source of raw material.

Introducing the “Maker movement”

The global maker movement is an organization in which creative individuals share “how to make…” instructions and designs via the internet and make items themselves on “advanced manufacturing” equipment that is hosted and run by a “club” with members, which also provides training courses. Although in South Africa the maker movement is not as big as internationally, they are on the rise, and ‘maker’ clubs have been established in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Accessing equipment at ‘Maker clubs’ is less intimidating and easier than accessing ‘shared infrastructure of industrial clusters’ for individuals often with no formal engineering education. Whereas most ‘makers’ make stuff as a hobby, some makers do end up turning their hobbies into actual businesses. The MBCC sees the Maker Movement as a mechanism for attracting new talent and new businesses into the composites industry.

This Request for Proposals (RFP)

Whereas a composite capability in all ‘maker’ clubs across (South) Africa is envisaged, the MBCC wishes to pilot the establishment of an initial composite capability at one or two of the South African maker clubs as part of a collaboration model that can be expanded to include other clubs in future.

The MBCC is requesting proposals from consultants who are running ‘maker’ clubs for establishing composite pilot infrastructure at one or two of the ‘maker’ clubs, consisting of 3 phases.

Phase 1: Design of composite capability

  • A number of practical step-by-step guides should be developed for making several composite components that people can make at the ‘maker clubs’. Existing “how to make…” video instructions on the internet are a good departure point and could include jewellery, knife handles, drones, bicycle parts, etc.
  • Recommend a list of required infrastructure/equipment/materials/moulds to present these courses at a ‘maker’ club, as well as the preparation of relevant health & safety briefing notes and access/booking mechanisms. A possible theme that could be explored is ‘making equipment’ as opposed to ‘purchasing equipment’.
  • Marketing material for advertising the newly available composite courses.
  • Develop together with the MBCC a business model including costing for the courses, use of the equipment, use of materials and linking the ‘maker’ clubs formally to the MBCC. It is initially proposed that the MBCC owns the equipment and that the infrastructure can be duplicated in future to other ‘maker clubs’.

Phase 2: Installation of composite capability

  • After successful completion of Phase 1, equipment and infrastructure will be purchased and installed in accordance with the ownership model determined in Phase 1.

Phase 3: Piloting composite capability

  • After installation of the equipment, the courses can be advertised and rolled out in accordance with the business model determined in Phase 1.
  • The ‘maker’ club is expected to give feedback on the success of the courses and make recommendations for further improvements.

A total project duration for all 3 phases combined of no more than 12 months is envisaged.

Electronic submission deadline: 31 August 2017, 12:00

Submission address:

Successful applicants will be notified latest before the end of September 2017.

INTRODUCTION

Introduce your ‘maker’ club, including legal entity form, existing technical capabilities, number of members, and your composite ambitions, etc.

APPROACH

Define your approach to the project described on page 2 and 3.

PEOPLE

List each person working on the project as well as collaborators from outside. Either list the approach that will be followed to recruit the people to the project being proposed for funding; or alternately allocate the person by name and apportion the percentage that the resource will be allocated to the project.

CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE / EQUIPMENT

Please describe existing capability of your ‘maker’ club.

SCOPE OF PROJECT AND WORK PLANS

Describe project, the resources, the deliverables and the milestones. The workplan framework is included below. Please include the work needed to be done split over the 3 phases described on page in the first six months from time of award.

WORKPLAN FOR ALL PROJECTS

TASK / TIME FRAME / Cost
Month
1-3 / Month
4-6 / Month
7-9 / Month
10-12

Note: Please add lines if required. Alternatively, a detail activity sheet and cost structure can be submitted as a separate excel sheet.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Describe your competence and capability in managing projects to be delivered within time, cost and ensuring that deliverables are met

CONTACT DETAILS

Please include the details of the person responsible for managing the projects to successful completion. If a company, please include the company registration company, VAT number and person responsible for signing the proposal

SIGNATURE

Authorised person to please sign the proposal

PREFERRED LENGTH OF TOTAL SUBMISSION: TEN TO FIFTEEN PAGES

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