Request for Information for the Design, Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Modular 3D-Pri ...

1. Background: UN field missions mainly rely on the provision of prefabricated accommodation and ablutions for the construction of civilian and military camps. This type of accommodation is linked with long lead times, due to centralized distribution and the disruptions in the supply chain in field locations. Moreover, they do not resist the very challenging conditions encountered in our field missions and are not adapted to military units. They are neither weatherproof nor ‘soldier-proof’ and deteriorate in a very short period. Finally, these units are not designed for reverse logistics or disposal. Considering the above, UN would like to assess if 3D printed accommodation units could represent a valid alternative to prefabricated units, a sustainable construction method, fit for purpose for UN head qauarters and field missions, focusing on material-based innovation and incorporation of technologies practices, for living and working well-being. 2. Objective: The purpose of this RFI is to provide the United Nations (UN) Source Support Unit, Solution Factory Team, and UN Global Service Center (UNGSC) with the available knowledge and capabilities of the market with respect to latest technologies, solutions, systems, potential vendors for the provision of 3D Printed Accommodation Units. This request intends to receive information to identify suppliers with verified technical and financial capacity to provide the goods and related services. The gathered information will be used to determine the technologies feasibility, scope, cost estimate, timeframe, and resources required by the UN. UN expects to follow this RFI with an on-site demonstration in Brindisi/Italy (please refer for details to Para 6.g "Prototype Showcase") and a possible Request for Proposal (RFP) that will be able to meet the operational requirements of the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) and both Peacekeeping and Political missions worldwide. The outcome of this RFI will help UN to evaluate available options to 3D print accommodation locally, with the use local recycled materials and sourced materials, aiming at shorter lead times, improved supply chain efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership. Moreover, 3D printing with local recycled and recycable materials could drastically reduce the environmental footprint at mission locations. 3. Use of Information: - All costs for preparing a response for the RFI must be covered by the vendor. - The requested information will only be used by the UN for internal planning purposes, be kept strictly confidential and only authorized personnel will have access to it. - The response to this RFI will not be used to pre-qualify vendors. - The provided information will not be contractually binding to the vendor. 4. RFI Response Delivery: As the objective of this RFI is to both gather information on the latest technology and find potential vendors, your willingness and ability to reply will be of mutual benefit. Please email your response to unlb-procurement@un.org, additional material can be delivered and addressed to: Attn: Chief Procurement Officer UNGSC Procurement Piazza Del Vento, 1 Brindisi 72100, ITALY Marked: RFI for 3D Printed Accommodation Units 5. Basic Requirements: The proposed 3D printed accommodation units shall: - be based on a modular concept with the possibility to customize the size of the facility based on the size and requirement of a camp - be a sustainable alternative to existing accommodation facilities - use recycled and recycable materials to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators - save energy - guarantee rapid deployment to missions locations and short supply and installation lead times - tap domestic source of materials to increase economic security without compromising the technical aspects - minimize the negative impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle - be suitable for critical harsh weather and environmental conditions, and for different climate zones (e.g., desert, tropical country, etc.) - be very quickly installed at missions locations - be optimized at every stage of a product’s life cycle including design, manufacture/construction, packaging, transportation, energy optimization, energy efficiency, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling.