Request for Quotation (RFQ) – AgriFutures National Rural Issues Program 3D Printing – Rural Industry Opportunities

⁠⁠⁠This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is seeking services to:

• understand the potential for 3D printing in rural industries,
• improve understanding of these opportunities within rural industries and
• increase awareness of the opportunities in rural industries with 3D technology providers.

This will include a review of current, future and novel 3D printing applications, detailing how producers globally and other related industries are using this technology.

The project aims to unpack the potential of this technology to assist rural industries and identify barriers to uptake, including but not limited to a high-level assessment of the producer and agricultural services sector awareness of the technology.  It also aims to provide a high-level assessment of technology company understanding of the potential within the Australian agricultural market.

The report will provide examples of agricultural applications and opportunities the technology presents and consider how Australia can promote these opportunities to 3D printing technology companies. The report will include consideration of regulatory, policy or skills issues that need to be overcome to fully realise the benefit of this technology in Australia.

The work will include case studies on how producers across a range of industries are already using 3D printing technology to increase productivity and find solutions to current and emerging challenges.  It will also include case studies of how the technology is being used internationally in the agricultural sector and other related sectors to innovate and transform business.

Project deliverables

1. Collate the critical use cases and types of 3D printing technologies available to Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
2. Develop a snapshot of the leaders and developers of 3D printing technologies and the level of interest / understanding of agricultural applications.
3. Provide analysis of the technical and practical considerations of producers in adopting 3D printing technologies, including barriers to use and adoption. High level consideration of associated cost: benefit of 3D printing is to be included.
4. Provide analysis of the barriers to technology companies investing in 3D opportunities for Australian agriculture e.g. size of potential market, regulatory environment including IP considerations, lack of awareness of agricultural opportunities.
5. Develop case studies of successful use cases and demonstrate how 3D printing has been adopted both within and outside of Australia to increase productivity, transform or solve agricultural problems.
6. Scan for 3D printing innovations and technologies for emerging applications that could have applicability and/or transferability to Australia’s rural industries.
7. Analysis of recommendations regarding current and future opportunities for both producers and technology companies for the potential of 3D printing, including extension and adoption concepts.
8. Provide recommendations regarding effective extension activities, including discussion of the merits and practical considerations of holding a 3D printing innovation/efficiency challenge. Ideally the challenge would partner with a 3D printing technology company to raise the profile of opportunities.
9. In addition to a final report, summarise the findings into fact sheets targeted at key groups of producers (e.g. intensive agriculture, livestock, horticulture, fisheries, forestry, broad acre and plant-based industries).

How to make a submission

AgriFutures Australia business with the applicant is facilitated by the online project management system Clarity. This system manages all stages of project administration.

Quotation’s must be submitted online using Clarity. As part of their submission, respondents are required to attach the completed milestone template in Clarity.

Users must create a Clarity account before submitting a proposal.

If you have previously submitted an application via Clarity please use your existing name and password alternatively if your organisation already exists in Clarity, please use the New User Request online form and we will assign your profile to that organisation.

• New User Request

If your Research Organisation does not already exist in Clarity, or you are unsure, please use the New User and Company Creation Request to create a New Research Organisation and User account simultaneously.

• New User and Company Creation Request

Submissions close 12noon (AEDT) Friday, 30 October 2020.

• Clarity user guide – submitting a RFQ
• Apply now

Contact

If you have any questions about the RFQ process or requirements in the management services, please contact:

Jane Lovell

Manager, National Rural Issues

jane.lovell@agrifutures.com.au