FAQ

• Q:When must I submit the proposals to the challenge statements by?
  A:Agencies must submit the following and any other relevant supporting documents on http://design.innovation-challenge.sg by 31 Jan 2021, 12:00pm (Singapore time) (GMT +8).
• Q:Will there be an extension of timeline?
  A:No there will not be an extension of timeline. We regret that only proposals submitted before the abovementioned deadline will be accepted.
• Q:Is there a format for the proposals submitted? What else would I need to submit alongside the proposal?
  A:While there is no fixed format for the proposals, the Challenge Sponsors would like to see the following or its equivalent (if relevant to the Statement's ask):
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  a. Response to Brief (3-5 page response outlining your specific point of view):
  
  
  
  
  
  - Background & executive summary
  
  
  
  
  
  - Approach / Process
  
  
  
  
  
  - Key innovations
  
  
  
  
  
  - Potential Challenges and how you intend to address them
  
  
  
  
  
  - Implementation / estimated timeline
  
  
  
  
  
  - Estimated price schedule
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  b. Curated Portfolio of relevant works - to share examples of past work to highlight competencies
  
  
  
  
  
  c. Corporate Profile - In-house capabilities, networks or external partnership(s) you can leverage on
  
  
  
  
  
  d. Team Profile - Profile, background and key skills of the principal design lead and members of the design team for this project
• Q:Can I submit more than 1 proposal for each challenge statement?
  A:Only 1 submission can be made for 1 problem statement. You can upload a new submission to replace your previous submission.
• Q:Can I submit proposals as a consortium?
  A:Yes, you can submit proposals as a consortium. But you are required to work out the partnership model amongst yourselves.
• Q:How are the proposals be evaluated and shortlisted?
  A:Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
  
  Quality of thought 
  * Relevance of the response demonstrating a unique point of view and holistic consideration of the various issues, and approach and strategy for the project. This includes demonstrated knowledge of global trends that affect Singapore but at the same time a keen grasp of Singapore’s unique operating and cultural context. 
  
  Quality of portfolio 
  * Showcasing the approach and impact of previous work in relevant areas, e.g. retail, digital, infrastructure, urban logistics, and public policy, and the ability to come up with innovative approaches to tackle complex challenges and break into difficult markets.  
  
  Company and Project Team Credentials 
  * Demonstrating diverse capabilities and relevant experience. 
  
  Agencies or consultancies may be invited to discuss their responses with the Corporates, should their proposals be shortlisted.
  * Dsg and IPI will also help to make recommendations to the Corporates on the selection of the project proposals. But the final shortlisted proposals will be decided by the Corporates. 
  
  Proposals that are not of sufficient merit will not be entertained.
• Q:Will my agency or consultancy be able to meet with the corporates issuing the challenge statement?
  A:Depending on the quality of your proposals, it is up to the discretion of the Corporates to decide on whom they would eventually plan to interview or meet with.
• Q:How can I ensure the IP of the ideas suggested in the proposals is protected?
  A:In your response, please avoid revealing the specifics or technical details for a solution, but present a unique point of view, and clear thought processes on how you wish to address the challenge.
• Q:The Singapore design community has been advocating for fair and just remuneration of ideas and work done for clients. How does this challenge then avoid the pitfalls of free pitching and ensures that designers are duly rewarded?
  A:As Singapore's national design agency, we do not support free pitching and we have shared this position with the participating companies. The Design Think-Tank is a pilot platform, launched in collaboration with IPI, to bring together organisations, companies, technology innovators and designers that may have similar interests and will mutually benefit from a partnership. Interested designers and consultancies are not expected to propose full solutions, but to just share their points of view or a brief description of an on-going innovation project that could contribute to a specific design challenge. If the company is keen, it will arrange with the designer/consultancy to further discuss how they can work together and formalise a partnership. This is never meant to be a free design consultancy service.