Design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 3D Printed Accommodation Prototype at UNGSC Brindisi.

The United Nations Global Service (UNGSC) seeks an appropriately qualified contractor to provide the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of a 3D Printed Accommodation Prototype at UNGSC Brindisi. Typically, UN camps that host field missions are usually compounds of prefabricated accommodation units. This type of accommodation is subject to long lead times due to centralized distribution and disruptions in the supply chain in field locations. Moreover, they do not resist the very challenging conditions encountered in field environments and are not adapted to military units. They are neither weatherproof nor ‘soldier-proof’ and deteriorate in a very short period. With this project, the UNGSC is seeking to have an alternative to traditional UN camps through the innovation of 3D printed accommodation that could be “printed” directly at the desired location, with specialized large-scale 3D printers, and the use of local soil as printing raw material, aiming at shorter lead times, improved supply chain efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership. Moreover, by enabling the use of locally sourced materials, adopting a more field-oriented approach, and encouraging local partnerships, 3D printing could also improve reverse logistics (materials can be recycled or disposed of faster). Once maintenance ceases and the roof is removed, the 3D printed envelope can naturally decompose back to soil, therefore revolutionizing disposal. The Contractor shall provide: - design, supply, installation, and commissioning of a full-scale operational 3D printed accommodation prototype (turn-key solution) at UNGSC Brindisi. - the machinery, tools, materials, soil mixture, and equipment necessary to carry out the responsibilities mentioned. Equipment shall include doors and windows, floor and ceiling, plumbing, electrical installations, and reversible air conditioning. As the UN operates in many different countries with varied geological environments, the 3D printing machinery shall be able to use the different soils in place to print raw materials for the walls and partitions. For purposes of this requirement, the use of local soil or a derived formula based on at least 50% of local soil is required. The vendor shall conduct soil testing activities to select the appropriate formula. About the prototype: - it shall be a sustainable, economical, and practical alternative to existing prefabricated accommodation. It shall be based on a modular concept with the possibility of customizing the size according to the needs or use of the premises at a later stage. The size of the prototype shall be 25 to 30 sqm, with a minimum ceiling height of 2.70 m, and includes living space and bathroom capsule. The kitchen is not part of this requirement. At this stage, the foundation slab is not part of the requirement, but respondents are encouraged to include this phase as an option in the cost estimate. Whichever option is chosen, construction shall be closely coordinated to plan for incorporated components; - The supporting structure of the roof shall preferably be made of wood or metal, weather-resistant, minimizing the number of elements and the resulting connections, modular and adaptable, with correct insulation performance; - it shall offer performances meeting international standards in terms of brightness, ventilation, thermal insulation (temperatures up to 55 ºC and 100% humidity), air quality, and sound insulation, with optimized energy consumption. - it shall withstand bad weather and other natural phenomena (wind, storm, heat, cold, earthquakes, floods); - It shall be easy to dismantle and dispose of, and require minimum maintenance. Once maintenance ceases and the roof is removed, the 3D printed envelope shall naturally decompose back to soil; Once the methodology is standardized, setting up a unit shall not exceed that of a prefabricated unit, i.e., 3 to 5 days, excluding foundations, depending on weather conditions, as it affects the drying time of the mixture. The main phases of the project are: - Soil testing and design activities; - Soil preparation and construction of the foundation slab (by UNGSC); - 3D printing activities; - Rendering and commissioning activities. The full technical requirements and details will be provided with a formal solicitation document to be issued soon after the closing date for this EOI. The invited vendors to the formal solicitation will need to provide references to similar completed projects (description and images); Details of how the 3D printing machinery will handle the use of different soils in place as printing raw material, and suggested development on the potential for modularization of this type of structure at a later stage. In order for the Expression of Interest to be considered, the company must be registered with the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) by visiting the website: www.ungm.org.