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Introduction

Introduction

Lovedale TVET College has launched a student innovation challenge inviting students to develop solutions across five development areas: 1) Communications Technology, 2) Fintech, 3) Art & Design for Innovation, 4) Climate & Smart Agriculture, and 5) Engineering, AI & Emerging Technologies. This constitutes Phase 1 of the student challenge pipeline.

In parallel, the College – in partnership with UNDP South Africa – is operationalising a T‑Pod (Technology Pod - Anexxure A) comprising ICT, AI & Robotics, and Prototyping equipment to strengthen hands‑on learning, rapid prototyping, and venture creation via the College’s CFERI (Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubation) as part of the T-Pod

The College seeks to procure an experienced innovation hub/business entity (“the Service Provider”) to latch onto, support, and enhance the current student challenge (Phase 1) through March, capacitate staff and students on T‑Pod equipment and venture‑building (in parallel), and design and kick‑off a sustainable Phase 2 programme that institutionalises this as an annual pipeline using the CFERI one‑stop shop (ideation → incubation → prototype → venture). This initiative is a pilot for the rest of the TVET’s in South Africa, UNDP is looking for a partner that will ensure success.

SCOPE OF TENDER

1. Support Phase 1 of the Lovedale Student Challenge to completion by end‑March (including ideation, selection, masterclasses, mentorship, and a Pitch Day).

2. Capacitate a minimum of seven (7) staff members and approximately 10 students on T‑Pod equipment (ICT, AI & Robotics, and Prototyping) and on the venture‑building process (problem discovery, market validation, prototyping, MVP, business model, investment readiness). Must upskill staff members and students on 3d printing, micro-controllers (example Arduino), virtual reality, etc. Please refer to Equipment list as part of Annexure B.

3. Design a robust Phase 2 programme for the balance of the academic year and kick it off with Lovedale, institutionalising an annual challenge‑to‑venture pipeline leveraging the CFERI as a one‑stop shop and the makerspace for prototyping. The supplier must seamlessly incorporate and develop current CFERI as part of the T-Pod. See Annexure A.

4. Run key ecosystem events (e.g., masterclasses, industry talks) and deliver a Pitch Day to conclude Phase 1 by end‑March.

5. Deliver within a six‑month contract while accommodating student examinations and holiday black‑outs.

 

Interested suppliers must submit their offer directly in the system as instructed in the solicitation document, following the instructions in the available user guide. n case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in the guides available in UNDP website:  https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders. Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.

 

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UNDP OFFICE SOUTH AFRICA

PROCUREMENT UNIT

Documents :

Negotiation Document(s) (Before Accessing other negotiations Document(s), please click on this link)