HMGCC Co-Creation Space: Secure Speech Solutions
24 October 2024
Summary of the challenge
Can you help us develop a solution we can use to retrofit in offices or other locations used for government work to enable soundproofing for secure conversations?
In its latest challenge HMGCC Co-Creation wants to hear from organisations and individuals who are experts in materials capable of providing a high level of acoustic dampening or reflection.
Organisations are being asked to apply if, over a 12-week period, they can develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses.
Context of the challenge
Government offices follow rigorous specifications outlined by the National Protective Security Agency (NPSA) to ensure any rented spaces used for government work are just as secure as bespoke government buildings Rented offices are only used when it is necessary for the nature or location of work being carried out. But additional, retrofitted protections are often required.
HMGCC Co-Creation is presenting this challenge where there is a requirement to develop and deploy materials that can be retrofitted into small sized rooms (approximately 5 x 5 metres) on the walls, floors and ceilings, to provide acoustic dampening to at least 45 dB attenuation.
The Gap
When applying for this challenge, please consider the following:
- Material should be robust and capable of global transportation
- Final product must be personally transportable
- Routes to commercial exploitation should have been explored/identified
- No specialist installation should be required
- Space-saving solutions are needed, that do not take up significant areas of
room. For example, large acoustic cones may be out of scope - Retrofitted into existing office spaces should be possible.
- Solutions should not interfere with existing infrastructure, such as cabling, electrical sockets, air con units etc.
Dates
- Competition opens Monday 16 September 2024
- Deadline for questions Tuesday 1 October 2024 (5pm)
- Clarifying questions published Monday 14 October 2024
- Competition closes Thursday 24 October (5pm)
- Applicant notified Thursday 5 November 2024
- Pitch day in Milton Keynes Thursday 14 November 2024
- Target project kick-off January 2025
Eligibility
This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances. Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.
How to apply
Please submit your applications to challenges@sa.catapult.org.uk
Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. The page/slide limit excludes personnel CVs and organisational profiles.
There is no prescribed application format, however, please ensure your application includes the following:
- Applicant details: Contact name, organisation details, and registration number
- Scope: Describe how the project aligns to the challenge scope
- Innovation: Describe the innovation and technology intended to be delivered in the project, along with new IP that will be generated or existing IP that can be used
- Deliverables: Describe the project outcomes and their impacts
- Timescale: Details how a minimum viable product will be achieve within the project duration
- Budget: Provide project finances against deliverables within the project duration
- Team: Key personnel CVs and expertise, organisational profile if applicable
All information you provide as part of your proposal – whether submitted directly to HMGCC or via a collaborator platform – will be handled in confidence.
