Custom materials kits are any kits that do not utilize standard SI labs. This may include the following:
- Clients requesting that we source unique materials to support labs they've written or a publisher lab manual
- Clients who wish to add additional materials that SI supplies to their kit (beyond those required for the labs they've selected)
- Clients who wish to remove materials from a portion of a lab
Because these kits often involve the sourcing of items that are not currently in our inventory, and because these kits do not fit into our lean kitting process, the following procedure has been developed to ensure timely and efficient allocation of team resources.
Note that custom materials kits should not be the norm, and standard lessons and materials should always be thoroughly vetted before considering a custom material option.
If a request for custom materials (a full kit or individual items) comes up on a discovery call, follow these steps.
1. Document new or non-standard items in a spreadsheet for tracking and distribution to participating teams. This spreadsheet can be completed by the customer as well.
1.1. DAS/DAP must audit the spreadsheet for complete product part specifications before proceeding.
1.1.1. Specifications must be sufficient to source the required materials.
Examples of insufficient specifications:
- Client requests sodium hydroxide, but does not specify whether it is powdered or liquid, an amount or volume, or concentration
- Sufficient: 10 mL of 0.1M sodium hydroxide, 10 g of sodium hydroxide
- Client requests a beaker but does not specify the volume or material required
- Sufficient: Plastic, 250 mL Beaker
When in doubt, ask the curriculum team/purchasing if sufficient information has been provided.
1.1.2. Amazon/Vendor links are helpful to visualize items but are often not sufficient on their own for spec development
2. Request approval from sales management for the materials-only kit
3. Approval will be assessed on a rubric that evaluates the following criteria:
- Volume
- Growth Potential
- Tenure of Client
- Complexity
- Number/Volume of New Items (MOQ)
- Any other relevant information
1. DAS/DAP submits a Custom Materials Request ticket
Include the following:
- Institution
- Course start date
- Estimated volume
- Verification of management approval
- Custom materials spreadsheet
This ticket must be submitted for all custom materials requests. Email requests will be sent back to the DAS/DAP with a request for ticket submission.
2. Product Engineer will perform a first pass review to match the items listed to items in BC and update the spreadsheet attached to the request.
3. For an item that is currently in our item catalog, the product engineer will validate with the quality control/curriculum team that there are existing part specifications.
4. If the custom materials request requires sourcing of 1 or more new items, the Product Engineer will request sourcing support from purchasing.
5. Purchasing will submit specs and requests for quote to vendors to complete the costing analysis for the request.
6. Purchasing will complete the spreadsheet, audit for completeness and send the completed document back to the requesting DAS/DAP with the pricing analysis auto-calculated.
7. Adjust the margin on the Pricing template tab as approved by the sales manager to determine a final price.
8. The DAS/DAP will include the final price in their proposal for adoption by their prospect.
9. Purchasing will obtain two samples of each new material
One sample will be sent to the client for approval, and the second will be used internally for BOM photography.
10. Upon adoption, new item cards for the custom materials will be created, along with new spec sheets, and product images.
Product Engineer (Derick) will create spec sheets using template. New items will be marked as Purchasing Blocked until spec sheet has been approved by customer and by Quality Manager.
11. The new BOM will be created, QCed and released per normal processes.
12. If necessary, a first article kit will be built and sent to the client for final approvals.
13. Upon confirmation from the client, Purchasing will place orders with vendors to receive the new custom materials
1. Vetting
- Owner: VP of Sales/VP of Customer Success
- Timing: 1 week
2. Audit Existing Items
- Owner: BOM Engineering Team
- Support: Curriculum Team
- Timing: 1 week
3. Spec Development
- Owner: DAS/DAP, Client
- Support: Curriculum/Purchasing
- Timing: 2 weeks
4. RFQ for Vendors/Quoting
- Owner: Purchasing
- Support: DAS/DAP
- Timing: 4 weeks
5. First Article Item Approval
- Owner: Purchasing
- Support: DAS/DAP, Client
- Timing: 2 weeks
6. First Article Kit Approval
- Owner: Operations
- Support: DAS/DAP, Client
- Timing: 3 weeks
7. Win Business!
8. Receiving Materials
- Owner: Purchasing
- Timing: 3 weeks - 3 months
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