A Report outlining Photonics based academic capabilities and capacity within Welsh Universities

Tender description

Introduction to Centre for Photonics Expertise (CPE)The Centre for Photonics Expertise (CPE) is an industry collaborative programme that is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. CPE is led by four Welsh Universities that works together with companies in Wales to improve or develop new products and processes to benefit their business.CPE is designed to provide easy access to academic resource and facilities at no cash cost to the company. Our pan-Wales team is comprised of academic experts from Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Aberystwyth University, Bangor University and the University of South Wales.CPE are a team of highly experienced engineers and scientists, specialising in photonics technologies. Aims of the ProjectAs the CPE collaboration program funding will end in December 2022 the four University partnership aims to build on the extensive network of industrial partners now working directly with them to deliver industrial solutions and build revenue in Wales. The report commissioned will inform the partners how to shape future proposals for future funding and academic collaborations in order to develop the Centre for Photonics Expertise beyond the west Wales and valleys region across all Wales and allow this proven high impact program approach to deliver academic support services to industry directly and will help to develop new areas of work whilst supporting Welsh Universities to work together.This project is to engage in a pan Wales study in order to deliver an academic perspective on the potential benefits of a continuation of the CPE operations across Wales. This will involve approaching from the perspective of academic sector across all Wales to establish what impact the continuing availability of readily accessible academic resource and R&D capacity from a central Research Hub to build collaborative research projects within Wales.Output / ObjectivesCommission an independent report consulting Universities across all of Wales to establish the level of interest with respect to extending the Photonics applications and capacities support currently offered in the WWV region through the CPE program.The report should also cover any current Photonics Research programmes being delivered in Wales.DeliverablesFinal outcome would be to establish the level of demand and scope of academic interest within Wales utilising the capacities and capabilities available within the CPE academic partners facilities.The outcome will support and define the level of resources available to deliver on industrial requirements from academia in order to gain maximum economic benefit from potential funded research programs across Wales.Provide information on funding requirements and favoured mechanisms required to support opportunities and collaborations between Industry & Academia post the current EU funded CPE operation. Using the CPE Model produce a report of possible future Industrial & Academic Research Projects.Scope & ResponsibilitiesThe supplier it to deliver a report to WGU, investigating the impact of potential continued activities building on CPE’s delivery in the WWV region. The report should investigate and inform a wider catchment (whole of Wales) of the CPE delivery format and investigate potential interest and academic feedback on both the format of delivery and future requirement of Academic support and solutions in Photonics Technologies in Wales.The successful bidder will, as part of the implantation process (kick off meeting) deliver a scope and approach outline presentation (max 6 slides).NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=122407.The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. (WA Ref:122407)