Conveyor System Design and Construction

Western Carolina University's College of Engineering is requesting proposals for the design and construction of an automated conveyor system to serve as a laboratory platform for robotics and automation coursework, with proposals due September 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET via electronic submission at https://wcu.bonfirehub.com/portal.

The scope is a baseline conveyor fixture supporting up to four processing stations, built on a Bosch Rexroth TS2Plus system with extruded aluminum construction to accommodate student-designed enhancements. The system must be delivered and commissioned to 181 Belk, 389 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 by December 14, 2026. Delivery is required within ninety consecutive calendar days after purchase order receipt. Students in the Robotics and Automation concentration of the BS-Mechanical Engineering program and the Robotics and Automation Certificate will use the system as a platform to design, mount, and test industrial-level process control solutions.

Vendors must be authorized resellers or manufacturers, registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State, and must certify financial stability and provide at least three customer references demonstrating experience with similar industrial automation projects. The proposal must include a manufacturer's standard warranty covering a minimum of twelve months or the manufacturer's warranty length, whichever is longer, along with descriptive literature, certifications, and a technical approach narrative. Pricing must include all transportation and installation costs delivered Free-on-Board Destination.

Evaluation criteria, in descending order of importance, are Vendor Technical Approach (weighted most heavily), Vendor Qualifications, Vendor Experience, and Pricing. The University will award to the responsive and responsible vendor whose proposal provides the best overall value and is most advantageous to the University, though award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced proposer. Written questions are due September 8, 2026. The contract commences upon award and remains in effect until all deliverables and Scope of Work requirements are successfully completed and accepted.