REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: Aerospace Composite Forming Tool

The National Composites Centre (NCC) requires information to shape the generation of a tooling requirement for a forming manufacturing process using dry fibre non-crimp fabric (NCF) of a complex aerospace component. The component is approximately 6000mm x 750mm and up to 20mm thick. It is expected that process development will be carried out on the same tooling for a smaller component. An overview of the proposed manufacturing process flow is provided in the RFI specification (see details below) to illustrate further the tooling suite requirements to develop and prove out the full-scale manufacturing process. In addition, the RFI specification includes further details on tooling requirements, including expected ancillary tooling.

In order to have access to the Forming Tool RFI specification, your organisation will need to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the NCC prior to being provided the document.

Additional information: This RFI will be launched on the University of Bristol Tendering Portal, which can be found at the link below.

In order to access the RFI, your organisation will need to create an account in the Portal (if not already in existence). Once access to the RFI has been obtained, all communications must only take place via the Message facility of the portal. Similarly, any responses to the Market Engagement questions must only be submitted by uploading your response to the relevant area of the portal; the deadline for submitting RFI responses will be visible in the details on the portal.

Due to sensitivity of Customer data, an NDA must be in place before the Forming RFI Specification can be shared (it will not be available through the portal). To request the NDA template, please email [email protected] or get in contact via the Message facility of the portal. Once the NDA has been signed by both parties, the Specification will be sent to you via the portal.

This RFI serves to alert the marketplace to this future opportunity. Participating in this market engagement exercise will not guarantee short-listing at a later stage in a future tender activity, nor will non-participation in this exercise restrict access to the opportunity. As a result of feedback or for any other reason, the NCC may make the decision not to go ahead with any proposed procurement exercise. The NCC will not meet any costs incurred by any party in responding to this RFI. The NCC reserves the right to award all, none, or part of the business.