MDA/STB Call for Proposals: Digital Singapore

Introduction

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been driving technological innovation and adoption in the local tourism industry by supporting the R&D and implementation of innovative technology projects which either enhance visitors’ experience or value add to tourism enterprises. To date, there are healthy signs of growth for the tourism sector – $13.7 billion tourism receipts as at end-2010. Singapore has enjoyed a steady increase of visitor arrivals throughout 2010, resulting in twelve consecutive months of record arrivals of 11.6 million visitors.

With the healthy tourism outlook and ever increasing numbers of visitors to Singapore, it has become necessary to leverage on technology to provide new services and products to the visitors. Globally, the use of digital media and mobile applications is picking up speed as companies hope to leverage on technology to transform visitors’ experience. Innovative applications such as augmented reality way finding, location based services and tourist services on the mobile are leading the way in this transformation.STB aims to create an ecosystem which encourages technology innovation for the tourism industry. This includes the creation innovative interactive Digital Media (IDM) applications, or services using IDM for the tourism industry.

Tourism businesses can leverage on these applications/services to enhance visitors’ experience by transforming the tourism experience and remain competitive by changing travel and tourism patterns.
Digital Singapore Eco-system

To catalyze the creation of innovative Tourism applications and services, the Digital Singapore Ecosystem initiative has been kick started through collaboration between STB and MDA’s Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO).

Digital Singapore Initiative

To catalyze the creation of innovative Tourism applications and services, the Digital Singapore initiative has been kick started through collaboration between STB and MDA’s Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO).

The Ecosystem consists of 3 layers

1.      Inputs Layer

The inputs layer facilitates the development and deployment of common reusable content and functionalities which serve as the building blocks for creation of new applications and/or services.

2.      Core Infrastructure Layer
The provision of a core infrastructure platform that provides a common starting point for new services/applications. It consists of APIs which links functionalities from the inputs layer to the various applications/services in the Multimodal outputs layer. This layer also details guidelines on how
·         Functionalities in the inputs layer can be structured to provide connectivity to the core infrastructure layer
·         Applications in the outputs layer can link to the core infrastructure layer to use content and functionalities

3.      Multimodal Outputs Layer

This layer encourages application/services that creatively leverage on the functionalities in the input layer to market, engage and deliver services that drive compelling usage by tourists.

Call for Proposals

IDMPO and STB are pleased to call for interested parties to submit proposals for the development of the Digital Singapore Core Infrastructure.

The submission process comprises of two stages:

1.      Concept Paper stage

2.      Full Proposal stage

In response to this call for proposals, companies should first submit a Concept Paper of up to 10 pages (in minimum size 12-point font with reasonable margins), describing the project being proposed.  This can be accompanied by a set of presentation materials (slides and/or video clip for a presentation of up to 15 minutes duration).

While no fixed format is required for the 10 page Concept Paper, it should minimally include the following information presented in a clear and organized manner:-

i.            Proposed business model of operating the Digital Singapore Core Infrastructure

ii.            Overview of the proposed architecture for the Digital Singapore Core Infrastructure

iii.            Technical specifications of the proposed infrastructure, including but not limited to;

• APIs to be created to receive content and integrate functionalities
• APIs to be created to enable multi-modal output

iv.            How will the proposed infrastructure enable companies to collaborate/innovate on the core infrastructure

v.            Project Budget for the entire project should be based on the following broad categories:

• Development cost
• Expenditure On Manpower (EOM)
• Hardware/Software cost
• Other Operating Expenditure (OOE), with sub-categories for professional services, materials & consumables, miscellaneous costs and any other relevant costs

vi.            Timeline of the project (including intermediate milestones over the duration of the project)

vii.            Company’s expertise and relevant prior work/experience, including the roles and contributions of the primary applicants, and other partners where relevant

viii.            Any other relevant information

Responding to the Call for Proposal

To submit a proposal, please send the concept paper to the email listed below.

Please indicate in the subject header [Proposal for STB/MDA Digital SG Core Infrastructure CFP – “Your Company Name”],

email it to: mda_idmpo@mda.gov.sg

The concept paper will be jointly evaluated by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).Shortlisted proposals will be invited and advised on the submission of Full Proposals.

Period of Call:  21 March 2011 to 30 April 2011

Please submit your proposals to the emails specified above by 30 April 2011, 2359 hrs.

Interested applicants may wish to refer to the IDMPO MDA  slides (download  slides)

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact:

STB – Darren Seah: darren_seah@stb.gov.sg

MDA– Arthur Fong : Arthur_Fong@mda.gov.sg

MDA  – Kenneth Fu, Kenneth_Fu@mda.gov.sg

Marcus Moo, Marcus_Moo@mda.gov.sg