Project Crane - Group E

ME2045

Group Project

Invitation to Tender

Emergency Crane

We would like to invite interested parties to tender for the design of a small portable crane for use in disaster relief.

Following earthquakes, such as those seen recently in Haiti & Chile there are often large numbers of people trapped under building rubble. While loose material can be moved by the rescuers by hand, heavier beams can be difficult to move.

In some cases earthmoving and construction vehicles can be used, however these can be in short supply, can be difficult to transport to the disaster area and even when there can have problems getting access to the actual rescue site.

We are therefore seeking tenders for a small portable crane capable of lifting loads of up to 1000kg. It is anticipated that this crane is powered by either a hand-cranked or powered winch.

It is anticipated that these cranes should be able to be disassembled and carried manually to a site by a team of rescuers, who can then reassemble the crane before beginning operations.

It is intended that the cranes will be bought by NGOs to be deployable to disaster areas in the back of standard 4x4 vehicles or via small helicopters. It is also anticipated that a successful design will be purchased by governments in areas prone to disasters of this type and distributed to local civil defence centres.

INVITATION TO TENDER

Emerging Engineering invites tenders for a small portable crane for use following natural disasters including flood and earthquake. It is anticipated that the successful bidder will be awarded a contract for 100 cranes. Follow on opportunities may also exist in licensing kits to third parties, primarily governmental bodies on a commercial basis.

Specification

The crane should :

Be able to lift loads of not less than 1000kg.

Transport the load not less than 4m from the point of lift.

Be able to be disassembled and carried manually over 100m of rough ground.

Be able to be carried by a standard Land Rover size 4x4.

Criteria for award of contract

• Proven effectiveness of design
• Professionalism of bid team
• Value for money of bid

Tender Proposal

This must be done in Blog form using Blogger or similar.

It must contain the following :

• An introduction by the project manager offering an outline of contractor organisation
• A section by the design analyst outlining the overall design of the crane components. Details drawings of each component must be supplied.
• A section detailing how the can be created using the kit of parts, which also demonstrates their fitness for purpose. Mainly led by stress and materials specialists.
• A report by the finance manager providing a breakdown of the cost of each kit.
• A conclusion by the project manager outlining the strengths of the contractor

In addition blog entries are expected to be on a continual basis to show project progress, Specific sub-deadlines may be set.

Blog entries should be tagged with the name(s) of the author(s), plus “strength”, “stiffness”, “design”, “costs”, “practicality” etc.

Bid Schedule

10.3.09 : Notice of interest to be lodged.

This must include details of the following contacts :

· Project Manager

· Finance Officer

· Chief Designer

· Stress Analyst

· Materials Specialist

NB : These roles are primarily for reporting purposes. Ie. It would be expected that all team members play a role in ensuring stress in the crane remains below appropriate limits.

It must also include details of the company blog site where all project data must be presented.

23.4.09 : Tender proposal closed.

26.4.09 : Tender presentation submitted

28.4.09 : Tendering presentation (10mins, MS Powerpoint)