RFT for the Supply and Delivery of a Social Humanoid Robot Platform for Research

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The procurement is for the supply and delivery of a state-of-the-art social humanoid robot platform for research activities at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). The primary focus of the research is the study of human-robot multimodal communication. The robot platform must be programmable and configurable via an API-based interface. It is required to include all necessary parts and accessories. A key functional requirement is the provision of arms capable of human-like movement and joint positioning, suitable for expressive, human-like communicative gestures.

The platform should ideally feature a wheeled base rather than humanoid legs to ensure stable, long-term engagement in public settings. The robot must be self-powered and possess an autonomous mobile base with a minimum of two degrees of freedom, capable of indoor operation without external guide rails or tracks.

Specific technical requirements include:

• Overall Height: A minimum standing height of 120 cm.
• Articulated Arms: A minimum of two articulated arms, each with no fewer than 5 degrees of freedom, designed for expressive, human-like communicative gestures.
• Head/Neck Assembly: An independently actuated head/neck assembly providing a minimum of 2 degrees of freedom.
• Sensors: A minimum of one head-mounted RGB camera (≥ 8 MP) and one forward-facing RGB-D depth camera.
• Power: A rechargeable onboard battery capable of providing a minimum of three hours of stationary activity on a single charge.

The contract term is for one year, with the possibility of up to three one-year extensions, not exceeding four years in aggregate. TU Dublin reserves the right to purchase up to an additional one item within 18 months of the award notification date.

3. Background & buyer context

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is procuring this social humanoid robot platform to advance its research capabilities in human-robot interaction, specifically focusing on multimodal communication. TU Dublin educates approximately 28,500 students in a practice-based environment. This procurement aligns with the university's strategic goals to enhance research infrastructure and foster innovation in emerging technological fields. The open procedure under the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 is being used for this competition. The estimated expenditure over the contract term is €0 (excluding VAT), indicating that the university may purchase items as needed rather than committing to a fixed volume upfront.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must satisfy the following minimum requirements to be considered for evaluation:

• Turnover requirement: An average annual company turnover of €110,000 for each of the last three years, confirmed by a signed statement from an accountant or auditor.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million limit per claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit per claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million limit per claim or series of claims.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Applicants must provide contact details and information on goods and services provided for three referees to whom similar goods and services have been supplied.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also demonstrate compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety legislation and confirm compliance with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender, evaluated against the following criteria:

Tenderers must achieve a minimum score of 60% on award criteria B, C, D, and E to avoid elimination. Only tenders meeting this threshold will be evaluated for Ultimate Cost.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. The submission must be in English and uploaded as a ZIP file.

Key submission components include:

• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD): The electronic version must be completed and submitted.
• Pricing Schedule: As per Appendix 2. Prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), in Euro, and remain valid for 12 months from the Tender Deadline.
• Tenderer’s Statement: A scanned, signed copy on letterhead, as per Appendix 3.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances: As per Appendix 4.
• Supporting Documentation: Evidence for selection criteria (financial, tax compliance, insurance, experience, health & safety, data protection) will be requested from the most economically advantageous tenderer prior to award.
• Other Documents: Any other documentation required by the RFT.

Tenderers are limited to submitting one tender in their own capacity and one as part of a consortium. All electronic documents must be in readable formats such as Word, Excel, or PDF.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The Goods Contract will have an initial term of one year. TU Dublin reserves the right to extend the term for up to three additional one-year periods, making the maximum aggregate contract duration four years. Payment terms are generally net 15 days from the agreed date of delivery to TU Dublin. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not explicitly detailed in the provided text. Termination clauses are not detailed. Intellectual property ownership is not specified. Sub-contracting is permitted, but any subcontractor on whom the tenderer relies for selection criteria must submit a separate eESPD. A parent company guarantee or bond requirement is not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The estimated expenditure is stated as €0 (excluding VAT) over the term and any extensions. This suggests a call-off or framework-type arrangement where TU Dublin will purchase items as needed, rather than a guaranteed volume. Tenderers must be prepared for potentially low or no initial orders. The requirement for a minimum of three hours of stationary activity on a single charge for the robot's battery is specific and may limit the field of suppliers. The contract term is one year, with potential extensions, which is standard, but the "up to an additional one (1) item should such a need arise within eighteen (18) months commencing from the Award Notification date" clause indicates a potential for ad-hoc purchases beyond the main contract term.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to a range of suppliers, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). TU Dublin encourages SMEs to participate and to explore forming relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises if the scope exceeds their individual capacity. The turnover requirement of €110,000 average annual turnover for the last three years is a moderate threshold, accessible to established small to medium-sized businesses. The insurance requirements (€13m Employer's Liability, €6.5m Public and Product Liability) are substantial and may be a barrier for very small or new businesses without adequate coverage. The requirement for three referees for similar past experience suggests that bidders with demonstrable project history will be favoured. Consortium bids are permitted, offering a route for SMEs to combine capabilities. The bid preparation effort is likely moderate, involving completion of the eESPD, pricing schedule, and technical responses against detailed specifications. The "Pwin" signal is neutral; there is no clear indication of an incumbent or a pre-determined supplier.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: NCTR2698 - RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact Email: [email protected] (for eTenders platform assistance)
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Goods Contract