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CALL-FOR-PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS FOR INNOVATIVE UAS
OPERATIONS IN SINGAPORE
Summary
The Call-for-Proposal (CFP) seeks to develop systems and technologies to enable the
innovative and wide-ranging use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in Singapore’s urban
environment.
The Call will provide up to 50% funding for each successful proposal, with the funding amount
capped at S$1.5 million for each project, to develop working prototypes to prove concept of
the proposed solution.
The CFP will focus on the following:
Enabling the innovative use of UAS in Singapore’s urban environment
The Call-for-Proposal will be open between 03-Nov-2017 and 05-Jan-2018.
For more information, please email to [email protected].
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SECTION 1 – SCOPE OF CALL-FOR-PROPOSAL
1. Background
1.1. In recent years, there have been rapid technological advances and significant
investments made in the unmanned aviation sector. The commoditisation of unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS), or drones, has led to many new and innovative applications across industries,
improving processes and saving time and manpower. Examples of current use cases include
surveillance, incident response, inspection and aerial imagery.
1.2. Singapore’s current regulatory framework facilitates the operation of UAS for
commercial purposes through a progressive permit regime. For instance, permits need to be
granted prior to any commercial UAS operation. Assessments for permit approval take into
consideration public and aviation safety and security.
1.3. However, there are two key challenges for commercial UAS applications in Singapore:
1.3.1. Limited airspace for UAS operations. Given the risks arising from operating
UAS in proximity to manned aircraft, limited UAS operations can take place
within 5km of any aerodromes. To accommodate more commercial UAS
applications in Singapore, there is a need to develop new and innovative
technologies to enable the innovative and wide-ranging use of UAS within the
available airspace.
1.3.2. Urban environment. The risks posed by UAS operations to people and property
include injury to persons and damage to property. Such risks are compounded
in a densely populated urban environment. As such, most commercial UAS
applications around the world are restricted for use in rural areas. There is a
need to develop new technologies and co-create new guidelines and rules that
would enable the safe operation of large numbers of UAS in Singapore’s urban
environment.
1.4. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
aim to collaborate with the industry to leverage advances in UAS technology to further enable
beneficial UAS use in Singapore’s urban environment, while ensuring aviation and public
safety.
2. Problem Statement
Seeking the development of systems and technologies to enable the innovative use of UAS
in Singapore’s urban environment.
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2.1. Potential UAS use cases that are sought through the CFP could include uses that
would help in the following areas:
2.1.1. Increasing productivity for manpower-intensive processes
2.1.2. Improving the logistics network in Singapore (e.g. parcel delivery)
2.2. Proposed solutions could also help to address current operational challenges relating
to UAS operations at high population density areas, near aerodromes and in proximity
to restricted areas.
2.3. Key elements in each applicant’s proposal could include, but are not limited to, the
following:
2.3.1. Beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. BVLOS operations represents
the next step for the industry, and an area of opportunity for the unmanned
aviation sector. Unlike current visual line of sight (VLOS) operations, BVLOS
operations have the potential to expand commercial UAS applications to
transform existing processes.
2.3.2. Operations in urban environment. MOT and CAAS are looking for solutions that
will address both public and aviation safety considerations in urban
environments. Such solutions could include Urban UAS Traffic Management
(UTM), as well as sense-and-avoid (SAA) solutions and reliable communication
capabilities. Proposed solutions that have the potential to maximise
Singapore’s airspace for UAS use will be beneficial for Singapore.
2.4. The proposal should also capture enabling systems and technologies that will be
developed, to enable innovative and wide-ranging UAS operations in Singapore’s urban
environment. These could include:
2.4.1. Fleet management for solutions involving the operation of more than one UAS
and ensuring separation between unmanned aircraft, as well as between
unmanned aircraft and other objects. Such solutions could potentially act as
building blocks to an urban UTM system.
2.4.2. Navigation solutions to ensure robustness and accuracy of UAS positioning.
Examples include navigational and positioning solutions in GPS denied
environments, and robust geo-fencing capabilities that would keep UAS
operations within specific flight envelopes (for both lateral and altitudinal). The
proposed solution should include developing capabilities that allow for the
unmanned aircraft to maintain communications link with the operator/control
station, while navigating through obstacles.
2.4.3. Sense-and-avoid (SAA) technology including sensor-based solutions to enable
automatic avoidance of both unknown static and dynamic obstacles/hazards
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detected during flight. The proposed solution should allow the UAS to navigate
through our urban environment and obstacles safely.
2.4.4. Failure management technology that allows for the UAS to detect potential
failures of critical systems in flight, and to have an adequate fail-safe system in
place. To handle such failures, the communication system should be sufficiently
robust to enable the UAS operator to:
i. Maintain situational awareness of UA operating BVLOS, potentially
behind buildings, and
ii. Allow for the operator to take over control of the UA within a reasonable
reaction time during an emergency.
Predictive failure capabilities that could predict potential failures through flight
data analysis would also be beneficial. Some examples are failures in the
aircraft system due to motor and battery deterioration. This would help to ensure
continued airworthiness of the UA in use.
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SECTION 2 – ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
1. Scope of Call-for-Proposal
1.1 MOT and CAAS invite the submission of proposals for innovative UAS use to be
considered for funding. To qualify, the proposals must develop working prototypes to prove
the concept of the proposed solution.
2. Eligibility
2.1 This Call is open to local or foreign companies, organisations, research institutes and
institutions of higher learning. Applicants must declare if the proposal has received government
funding (in parts or in whole) from other sources.
2.2 Only work conducted in Singapore may be funded under the Call.
2.3 To take into consideration future commercial viability of solutions developed through
this Call, applicants are encouraged to identify and partner an end-user for the developed
solution, for inclusion and submission of the proposal for this Call.
3. Application and Evaluation Process
3.1 Proposals are to be submitted using the prescribed Concept Proposal Form. The
proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of the problem statement and strong
execution capability. They should also include clear descriptions of the proposed solution,
developmental approach / methodology, timeline (including key milestones) and budgets.
Proposal submission shall be in two stages:
3.1.1 Stage 1: Submission of conceptual proposal with broad outlines of use-case,
focused technology areas, partners, timelines and initial cost estimates for
shortlisting
3.1.2 Stage 2: Submission of full proposal for shortlisted applicants
3.2 After the Call-for-Proposal is closed, Stage 1 proposals will be surfaced to a judging
panel for evaluation. Shortlisted proposals will be notified, and given time to provide a detailed
proposal for Stage 2 evaluation. This evaluation process may require a presentation by the
applicants to the judging panel.
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Figure 1: CFP submission process
3.3 The evaluation criteria will include the following considerations:
Category (Weightage)
Description
Value to
Singapore
(30%)
Ability to transform processes and enhance productivity
Potential benefits and/or savings from proposed solution
Partnering with an end-user for the development of a use case
Enabling
technologies
(30%)
Innovative solutions to address current challenges
Development and validation of enabling technologies
Alignment with safety considerations and objectives
Technical and operational feasibility of the proposed solution
Project
Management
(20%)
Completeness and clarity of proposed development plan and
deliverables
Resources and experience of the project team
Cost-
effectiveness
(20%)
Cost-effectiveness of the proposed solution
Table 1: Evaluation criteria
Stage 1: Submission
of conceptual
proposal
Judging panel will evaluate
proposals
Shortlisted applicants
will be notified
Preparation of detailed
proposal by shortlisted applicants
Stage 2: Submission of detailed proposal
Judging panel will evaluate
proposals
Chosen applicants for the CFP
will be notified
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4. Project Implementation
4.1 Funding will be provided for up to 50% of the qualified costs budgeted for each project,
and the funding amount for each project is capped at S$1.5 million. Qualified costs can be
classified into the following categories:
i. Purchase/Lease of Equipment and Materials
ii. Purchase/Lease of Intellectual Property and Software
iii. Professional Services
iv. Manpower
v. Others
Contributions in-kind and existing equipment and infrastructure will not be qualified. All costs
budgeted should be exclusive of any applicable Goods and Services Taxes (GST).
4.2 Expenses incurred beyond the approved funding limit will be borne by the applicant.
4.3 The costs incurred in preparing the project proposals shall be borne by the applicant.
4.4 Each project will be tracked by a set of milestones and key performance indicators
(KPIs), mutually agreed between MOT, CAAS and the applicant prior to the award. Table 3
below shows generic milestones and KPIs for the projects.
Milestone Key Performance Indicators Estimated Due Date
from Project Commencement (D)
Development of
solution/technology
Confirmation of proposed
concept and focused
technology areas
Within D+6 months
Permit approvals
granted
Finalisation of system
parameters, design and flight
operations
Within D+9 months
Flight tests Demonstration and proof-of-
concept of solution Within D+18 months
Operationalisation
Demonstration of working
prototype at the proposed
operating location
Within D+21 months
Table 3: Example of Project Deliverables
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4.5 The funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis, upon the successful
achievement of the milestones and complete submission of supporting documents for the
KPIs.
4.6 All projects must be completed within 24 months from the acceptance of the offer from
CAAS.
5. Intellectual Property (IP)
5.1 Applicants are to provide details on any intellectual property (IP) rights that could be
created from the project, including intended ownership details.
5.2 The IP rights created from the project shall be used exclusively in Singapore for a
period of time to be determined and mutually agreed between MOT, CAAS and the applicants
before the award of the grant.
5.3 MOT and CAAS shall minimally reserve a non-exclusive, perpetual and royalty-free
license to the IP created, for non-commercial, educational and research purposes only.
6. Submission
6.1 Proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected], and must be in
the format of the Concept Proposal Form.
6.2 Only proposals that are properly completed, and with relevant supporting documents
attached, will be accepted for evaluation.
6.3 Proposal submission should also quote the following in the email subject line:
“Submission for CFP – [Proposal Title] by [Solution Provider Company Name]
6.4 Submission must be completed before 05-Jan-2018 (23:59, Singapore Time).