STEAM Camp RFPs
Executive Summary
Open Source Ecology is soliciting Reqeusts for Bids for curriculum. The curriculum involves development prototypes related to the Open Source Microfactory STEAM Camp. The STEAM Camp is a hands-on immersion training opportunity for people interested in creating the open source economy, with the curriculum shown at STEAM Camp 9 Day Curriculum. We are planning 12 STEAM Camp events to be held in 12 different locations worldwide in early 2020, with a 50/50 revenue share with instructors.
Specifications
We are looking for several curriculum modules. Each module contains working physical prototypes and documentation. Each module requires some technology development that integrates that technology with the rest of the OSE product ecosystem. The 3 main deliverables are (1) Technology development, (2), documentation, and the (3), the actual curriculum. The curriculum needs to include all the materials that a teacher would need to present a lesson on this topic in the time frame specified for each lesson. The lesson includes a build of the actual technology from scratch. This means that the design must be as simple as possible, and that the build must be designed to be easy and quick, so it could fit within a specific lesson's time frame.
We also pay a lot of attention to replicable production engineering. Thus, we require design using widely available, common, off-the-shelf, consumer and industrial parts. We require that only common tooling (such as the D3D Bootstrap Universal Fabricator 3-in-1 CNC machine, discussed below, and other simple tools) be required for the builds, to maintain access to production in a small microfactory. At the same time, we are developing well-refined production engineering with an end goal of producing marketable products.
The technology RFPs include:
- A CNC Plotter - capable of drawing pictures and circuit masks on copper-clad boards. The platter is part of a 3-in-1 CNC Tool which uses a CNC motion system in 3 dimensions, coupled with quick-connect toolheads. The Plotter is one of these tool heads. This uses a RAMPS-based Universal Controller and Universal Axis to move a drawing tool. The universal axes are oriented in a configuration embodied by D3D Simple. The specifications include 10 micron step size of motion, and plotting resolution limited by the width of the pen or marker tool. The nature of this development is to produce a quick-connect plotting toolhead for D3D Simple, including the software that can be run on the Universal Controller. The technology in (1) concept diagram, (2) CAD in open source file format and ideally in FreeCAD and KiCad, (3), any required wiring diagrams, (4) software, (5) Build Instructions, (6) CAM files for production, (7) BOM, (8) Exploded Part Diagram, and (9) Build Instructions. For detailed specification and scope, see CNC Plotter Development.
Present the specifications clearly, in terms to which the vendors will respond. Define the nature and scope of your project, your needs, your expected outcome and any other essential information. Be specific; there is a significant difference between needing a website designed and needing a website designed, updated and regularly managed.
Give Instructions to Bidders
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Include the Boilerplate
Explain that the RFP is not a contract and that responding to it does not guarantee selection. Make sure to include information that will make a vendor’s response worth the vendor’s time. Lay out details on the budget, the contract, the form of payments and the evaluation of work while the project is active.
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Describe the Selection Process
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