1. CONTEXT



190500135255Call for ProposalsBlockchain Innovation Initiative (BII)Guidelines for submission 1. CONTEXTThe Blockchain Innovation Initiative (BII) was launched by the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) in collaboration with IDB Lab in October 2019. The BII seeks to (i) raise interest in the value of blockchain as an innovative technology for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region; and (ii) build a pipeline of projects that can be piloted in the region.The impact of disruptive technologies such as blockchain can be enormous for small, remote and developing economies. On one hand, it can significantly increase the efficiency of administrative procedures and facilitate compliance with regulations in both the public and private sectors which in turn, can improve the ease of doing business. On the other hand, it can facilitate inclusive and cost-effective financial services to conduct business within and across borders, which is a pervasive obstacle to exports and intra-regional trade in the Caribbean. The private, academic and public sectors have been exploring the application of blockchain to solve the problem of financial inclusion for a few years already. This disruptive technology can also transform legal services, real estate, tourism, trade, human rights, democracy and others. The five-step approach to the Blockchain Innovation Initiative (BII) was designed to raise awareness about the possibilities, build relationships among private and public entities, and stimulate a demand for piloting the technology while addressing specific problems in the region.The pipeline building process – summaryStep 1: Call for challenges During the first step in the pipeline building process, a call for challenges enabled the identification of 10 Caribbean entities referred to as “problem owners” which expressed interest in exploring how blockchain technology can solve a specific problem they have. Seven challenges were identified and summarized in one-pagers available online: 7 challenges, 12 entities selected as problem owners Categories of Caribbean problems to be addressedProblem owners, ie. the entities interested in exploring the possibility of piloting a project in their country1. Digital transactions and moneyMobile walletOnline payment especially in the context of community-based tourism in the CaribbeanCaribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO)Dominica Cooperative Societies League2. Post-disaster insurance claim processingClimate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) in Dominica 3. TraceabilityFine Cocoa Company Cocoa Research Center (CRC) at UWIBrasso Seco Morne la Croix Farmers Association (honey)4. Digital identityBarbados Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MIST)5. Monetisation of intellectual propertyAssociation of Caribbean Copyright Society (ACCS)6. Land/ Property/ vehicle registryMinistry of Information Technology in St. KittsMinistry of Science, Innovation and Technology in Barbados7. CustomsMinistry of Trade and Industry in Trinidad & TobagoStep 2: Call for solutions During the second step in the pipeline building process, a call for solutions was launched to identify Caribbean and international companies that have a proof of concept already established to address any of the challenges submitted. Step 3: Virtual pitch sessions The companies with a proof of concept were invited to pitch their solutions virtually to the problem owners as well as to any other relevant stakeholders interested in the topic. The purpose of these presentations livestreamed across the region was to foster knowledge sharing and relationship building. All the presentations are available on and the contacts of the presenters available on demand.Stage 4: Call for blockchain proposals A call for proposals to identify joint projects between a solution provider and problem owner working together on a scalable solution (grant funding of up to USD$180,000). See details below.Step 5: Investment Panel Based on Compete Caribbean’s operating regulations, the most promising proposals submitted are evaluated by an independent panel of professional judges from IDB, IDB LAB or IDB Invest, and the private sector. After individual scoring of each project, the applicants will have the opportunity to present their proposal and answer questions from the judges in a private setting. 2. CALL FOR BLOCKCHAIN PROPOSALSThe objective of the Call for proposals is to identify projects that will support the implementation of blockchain-based solutions to challenges in the Caribbean. The project scope, objectives and priorities will be defined by the solution provider in consultation with the problem owner in an Innovation Plan (IP) based on the readiness level of the entities involved. 3. AWARDS CCPF funding will be in the form of non-reimbursable grants for technical assistance. The grant amount requested should not represent more than 50% of the total budget necessary to implement the project successfully - up to a maximum of US$180,000. The blockchain company and/or entity adopting the solution should commit the other 50% of the budget through counterpart contribution, half of which must be in cash. For example, if the total project budget is $360,000 or more: $180,000 can be obtained from the CCPF as technical assistance grants, and the remaining is counterpart contributions, with at least $90,000 in-cash and the remaining $90,000 in-kind (or more). In-kind contributions represent the time of current staff directly involved in the project, space provided, etc.). If additional experts must be contracted, this represents cash contribution or can be funded by the technical assistance grant. See section on eligible expenses. 4. TIMELINEMilestones DatesCall for proposals’ launch April 9, 2020Submission of proposals June 15, 2020Feedback round provided to short-listed applicantsJune 30, 2020Final submission deadline July 20, 2020Announcement of finalistsAugust 10, 2020 Investment Panel with Q&A in privateAugust 2020 (date to be confirmed)5. APPLICATION PROCESSThe lead entity submitting the project proposal must fill the google form (see link on Compete Caribbean website) and submit the following documents using the four templates provided via email to blockchaininnovationinitiative@ :Project proposal describing (i) The problem that the solution is addressing; (ii) The solution in general terms and the blockchain-based solution in more details. The technical proposal should include an overview of the architectural flow; (iii) The business case for consideration which can include the Social Return on Investment (SROI) estimated; (iv) The risks and mitigation strategies given the scope of the pilot project; (v) The structure of the project team with roles and background of each team member; (vi) The governance structure to facilitate decision making during the project implementation, manage approval of milestones, sustain buy-in, capture lessons learnt, optimize results, etc.Implementation plan – Spreadsheet with activities, outputs, timeline, budget, responsibilities of stakeholders.Letters of commitment from the beneficiary entity(ies) responsible for the counterpart contributions in kind and in-cash.6. CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY To be eligible, the proposal must meet all conditions:The proposal submitted shall include substantial involvement from a Caribbean firm AND the project team shall include Caribbean professionals from any of the 13 beneficiary countries: The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.The lead firm responsible for executing the project must be registered in a IDB member country () The Caribbean entities (public or private) adopting the new technology (ie. problem owners) must be based in any of the 13 Compete Caribbean beneficiary countries. Grant funding requested ($50k to $180k) cannot represent more than 50% of the total project budget. Counterpart contributions of at least 50% is expected from the entities involved, half of which must be in cash.Cash contribution (25%): Letter of commitment from the private entity(ies) involved the project describing what will be purchased to achieve the objectives of the project.In-kind contribution (25%): Letter of commitment clarifying the nature of the in-kind contribution from the Caribbean problem owner signed by the legal authority representing the entity.The google form must be filled online (see link on Compete Caribbean website) and documents requested submitted before the deadline via email to blockchainnovationinitiative@ Please note: The counterpart contribution in cash and in kind are captured in the implementation plan. These contributions will be tracked quarterly during implementation. The cash contribution includes the expenses that companies want to make in order to achieve the project objectives, but they keep the ownership and intellectual property for these purchases. These can include spending in equipment, software, traveling, etc. The grant funding from Compete Caribbean can only be used to deliver technical assistance, which essentially means procuring services and consultants locally or internationally who can deliver the training, technical assessment, analysis, reports, operating manuals, strategy, etc. described in the project.7. EVALUATION CRITERIA The proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria and weight.Criteria Description WeightScalability of the solution proposed Evidence of scalability given the experience of the firm(s), level of collaboration involved, buy-in obtained or progress already made, national-regional-international partnerships, etc. 10%Social and environmental impact Potential impact on inclusive and/or sustainable development in the Caribbean over time. This includes vulnerable groups, women, and youth, and/or climate change and environmental sustainability.20%Economic impact on Caribbean firms and individualsEmployment and revenue generation for Caribbean businesses, both those involved in the project and/or future business revenues, employment or exports that will be generated in the Caribbean by the solution implemented in the project.30%Execution capacity of the entities involved Execution capacity of the team implementing the project presented – Technical merit of the solution and absorption capacity of the problem owner. Risks have been properly identified and mitigated. 40%8. ELIGIBLE EXPENSESThe project may finance the following expenses through CCPF funding: Consulting fees - following procurement procedures of the IDB: marketing campaign, legal services, IT services, testing, specialized expertise, process reengineering, training and capacity building, etc.)Costs of organizing consultations, traveling expensesPublication/reproduction of documents and materialsPurchase of certain licenses or registration feesPurchase of certain equipment (max. 30% of project budget if non-bank executed) OthersThe project may not finance the following expenses through CCPF funding:The acquisition of equipment or other goods. Nevertheless, under exceptional circumstances, up to thirty percent (30%) of IDB resources may be used for the purchase or rental of equipment and supplies that are directly related to project activities. Please note a justification on why these expenses cannot be covered by the executing agency or counterpart resources will have to be provided. 9. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESSOnce the projects are deemed eligible, they will be short-listed using the evaluation criteria provided. The most promising projects will be reviewed by an internal committee and feedback will be provided to improve the final submissions. The Investment Panel (IP), which is an independent committee of professionals and technical experts from the IDB and the Caribbean private sector, will score each final proposal and have an opportunity to hear a pitch and ask questions from the incumbents. After the deliberation of the IP where consensus must be reached on the projects most suitable for funding, Compete Caribbean will announce its final decision, subject to non-objections from donors and approval from the IDB.10. PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION (TC) PROJECTThe proposals selected for financing under the call for proposals will be developed into and approved as technical cooperation (TC) projects of the IDB to be executed within a timeframe of two (2) years. Once the TC approval process has been finalized, the IDB and the designated executing agency will sign an agreement to initiate the implementation of activities and disbursement of resources. Funds will be awarded to two or three projects selected competitively, subject to the following conditions: (a) the proposal is recommended for funding by an independent Investment Panel (IP); (b) the technical cooperation project is approved by the IDB for funding; and for those projects that are beneficiary executed, (c) a legal agreement to use CCPF/IDB funding and counterpart resources towards the implementation of the selected model/project has been signed by both parties. Note that the panel and CCPF may stipulate additional requirements, prior to disbursement of funds.11. CLARIFYING INQUIRIESInquiries can be sent through the email blockchaininnovationinitiative@ and through the social media channels indicated in the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility website. Please note that the CCPF team will only answer questions related to the present guidelines. The Compete Caribbean website will also publish a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to help users with general questions. 13. ACCEPTANCE OF GUIDELINESThe sole participation in this open Call for Proposals implies the acceptance of these guidelines. Each participant must agree to be aware of Guidelines on the google form while submitting a proposal using the Google link provided on the website.14. NOTICE AS TO DISCLAIMERS AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTSThe Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, The Inter-American Development Bank and other partners, reserve the right to eliminate participants, selected finalists or winners, at any stage of the Challenge, and this decision shall be final and binding. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, The Inter-American Development Bank and other partners may search for publicly available information regarding participants and may seek to verify details referenced in the application. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, The Inter-American Development Bank and other partners reserve the right to cancel or postpone the challenge at any time. All decisions of The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, The Inter-American Development Bank and other partners are binding, with no process for appeal. Participants that submit content that is offensive, illegal and those that disparage the Bank, sponsors or partners will be eliminated. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, The Inter-American Development Bank and other partners will not consider participants who are ineligible to participate in Bank projects or contracting under its integrity policies and sanctions protocol. Participants must attest that the submittal is original, and they are not infringing on any copyrights or other intellectual property. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility will not be responsible to maintain the intellectual property of the proposals submitted. Companies or blockchain service providers will expressly declare to be the original authors of the proven solutions or concepts through which they manifest themselves. The responsibility of registering or managing the intellectual or industrial property rights of any works, software, designs, trademarks, invention patents or any other type that are recognized by current legislation rests exclusively with the participants.The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility reserves the right to disseminate and share the identity of the applicants, finalists and a summary of the proposal submitted. The terms and conditions may be update at any time and will be made available online to all participants. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, the Inter-American Development Bank and other partner’s, its administrators and staff members are not responsible for the legal infringements that Companies or blockchain solution providers have committed, especially those related to intellectual and industrial property, copyright or breach of confidential information and they must leave people undamaged indicated in this letter for such infractions.The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, the Inter-American Development Bank and other partners’ Call for Proposals does not grant any guarantee of any kind for any type of damage that the user may suffer from the information, computer programs, applications or any other data contained in their submission. 15. OTHER RELEVANT DISCLAIMMERS AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTS Each company or blockchain service provider who wishes to participate in the Call for proposals must provide personal data through their submissions. The administration undertakes that the data will be used strictly to manage the registration and the achievement of the Call for proposals purposes. The company or blockchain service provider expressly declares that authorizes the Compete Caribbean Partnership facility to maintain and store the personal information that they voluntarily submitted on the registration form.All public sessions of the calls will be open to the general public and can be transmitted by different media. The content that is produced will be considered public. It is established that the sole submission of a proposal implies the express granting of the authorization to the organization to use their company name, as well as their image in any public activity or dissemination related to the Call; without this being any obligation of compensation, payment or remuneration of any kind. The CCPF does not grant funding for projects or companies involved in the production, trade or use of products, substances or activities set forth in the list below.Those that are illegal according to the laws and regulations of the host country, or pursuant to international conventions and treaties ratified by this.Weapons and ammunition.TobaccoGambling, casinos and equivalent companiesAnimals and wild plants or products derived from them are regulated in accordance with the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna (cites) Radioactive materialsNot caked asbestos fibresProjects or forestry operations that are not consistent with the environmental policy and observance of safeguards of the bank (document gn-2208-20)Compounds of bifenilopoliclorado (pcbs)Pharmaceuticals products subject to phase-out or international ban Pesticides and herbicides subject to phase-out or international ban Ozone-depleting substances subject to phasing out internationalFishing in the maritime environment with drag nets exceeding 2.5 km in length.Transboundary movements of waste and waste products except non-toxic waste intended for recycling.Persistent organic pollutantsBreach of the fundamental principles of workers and rights at work ................
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