Dynamic integrated trading tools that optimise the supply and distribution of local food supplies

The Sustainable Production and Supply of Food Challenge
Managed by SBRI Centre of Excellence
Closed
Deadline: 09:00 on 09/10/2023
Report
This challenge is currently closed to new ideas

Overview

The Sustainable Production and Supply of Food Challenge


Challenge Brief 


This competition is a ‘first of a kind’ demonstrator initiative, on behalf of Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), Cardiff Council and Monmouthshire Council to accelerate innovation in the CCR region and enable projects to develop innovative solutions which can significantly improve the sustainable production and supply of food.  


Your project must focus on one or more of the following themes:

We are looking for applicants that can evidence identified partners/future customers, for the entirety of the project. The potential partner can be a public sector organisation, farmer or any other relevant party looking to tackle such a challenge, but they must be based in the CCR Region. 


Briefing Event


A virtual Briefing Event was held on Thursday 21st September at 10:00am.  Please see below a virtual recording of the beifing event:

VIRTUAL BRIEFING EVENT VIDEO

Food-Challange-Q---A-round-1---2.doc.pdf


Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution.


In applying to this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. This competition closes at 10AM UK time on the date of the deadline.


Challenge Summary


This challenge forms part of a suite of initiatives to nurture new thinking from growing operations to community marketplaces. Specifically addressing digital tool kits that galvanise a regional food produce marketplace.


It is envisaged that this challenge will provide a dynamic integrated trading tool or system that optimises the supply and distribution of local food supplies.  We are looking for digital companies that can deliver a system that brings together regional farming suppliers, customers, and end-users. Approaches should consider how the platform might be applied to local schools, hospitals and council owned food ecosystems that can bring about the better use of local produce across the regional supply chain, encouraging farmers to sell locally and providing healthy and nutritious food products to meet local demand.


In Scope


Near market ready solutions are invited for the implementation and potential scaling of:

  • A versatile platform that allows farmers to table their product portfolios, forecast harvests and timescales.

  • Clear visibility of shelf life and seasonal availability of products.

  • A method that allows the end-user/customer to easily navigate and consolidate goods from different food producers (farmers) to meet their entire order needs.

  • Innovative platforms must be built to allow a best value for money online marketplace for significant purchasers to buy from small producers in an easy-to-use fashion.

  • A system that encompasses product collection and delivery scheduling in the most economical and efficient manner.

  • Platforms that can incorporate food passport thinking and source validation.

  • Platforms designed to drive financial performance and efficiencies for the benefit of the buyers and grower, for example (but not limited to) blockchain methodology.

  • Off-the-shelf solutions may be considered if innovation can be demonstrated.


Additionality:

  • Farmers would need support via a home page with relevant details around produce and standards required/achieved for delivery to council kitchens.

  • There is potential to create communities/forums/events with farmers and their end users including education of farming practices etc.

  • Infrastructure development to enable local producers to sell directly to buyers - this will involve food cleaning facilities, packaging knowledge and equipment (where appropriate) and access to a knowledge base to enable them to ensure compliance with ever changing legislation & Welsh Government policies.

The following additional capabilities would be welcomed but are not essential for the trial:

  • Food production and preparation-based carbon performances (to assist the farmer).

  • Logistic and transportation integration and the carbon estimation associated with the delivery of goods.

  • Accounts for the forecasting of waste food and reporting on alternatives for waste utilisation.

Out of scope

  • Off-the-shelf, generic, non-innovative purchasing systems.

  • Stand-alone market analytical tools and reporting solutions.

  • Approaches designed for regions that are outside the Cardiff Capital Region.

Funding Allocation and Project Details  


The competition will run in two phases (demonstrator and scale up). Applications will be assessed using the evaluation criteria provided in the tender documents.


Contracts will be awarded to successful proposals of up to £0.8m to deliver the demonstrator and up to £1m for scale up of the demonstration model. 

All sums indicated are exc. of VAT (net).

  • Demonstrator contracts are intended to develop and evaluate prototypes of demonstration proposals. It is anticipated that projects will run for 10 months. Up to £0.8m of funding per project has been assigned to this phase.  The final allocation of budget to projects will be difficult to predict at this stage so applicants are encouraged to consider a range of delivery options and budgets in their proposals to maximise the funding available. 

  • Scale Up contracts are intended to provide organisations, successful in the demonstrator phase, with an opportunity to scale up their innovative solutions, and it is anticipated that projects will run for a maximum of 12 months. Up to £1m of funding per project has been assigned to this phase. Again, the final allocation of budget to projects will be difficult to predict at this stage so applicants are encouraged to consider a range of delivery options and budgets in their proposals to maximise the funding available.

  • The total funding for the Challenge can change and the funders have the right to:

    • Adjust the provisional funding allocation between the Phases; and

    • Apply a portfolio approach.

Technical and Functional Requirements

  • The demonstrator initiatives will be specifically centred around the ecosystems of Monmouthshire and Cardiff city region in South Wales. Solution holders will be expected to be working directly with the CCR regional stakeholders and CCR Staff in this area of South Wales.

  • Although carbon impact in conducting business is a primary concern to the CCR Challenge Fund and kept to a minimum where possible, some travel to South Wales would be expected where deemed necessary.

  • Applications invited to proceed with a demonstrator model will be contracted under Cardiff City Council using the standard SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) contracting templates.  

  • Invitations for pitching will be TRL 5 innovative approaches or above.  TRL 5 innovative tech (and process) solutions can be deployed whilst demonstrating reasonable and surmountable costs for adoption within the user groups targeted.  

  • Deployment and focus within the Monmouthshire and Cardiff area with a view to being scaled to the wider CCR region.

  • Demonstrator models will be deployed in South Wales and, therefore, lead organisations and collaborative partners based in Wales would be of particular interest. 

  • Solutions that can demonstrate intention to strengthen local supply chains or local economy opportunities will also be keenly observed. 

  • Demonstration of solutions that can be delivered within the required timescales will be required. We are looking for new and emerging innovations to create an evidence base for further development and scale, considering affordability and practicality. 

Timescales 

  • Competition launch: 29th August 2023

  • Competition briefing webinar: w/c 18th September 2023

  • Deadline for applications:  10AM 9th October 2023

  • Finalist for pitching notified:  24th October 2023

  • Pitching sessions with CRR Stakeholders: w/c 30th October 2023

  • Winners announced for demonstrator study funding: 13th November 2023

Demonstrator phase from November 2023 to September 2024 (SBRI competition)

Scale up Phase September 2024 to September 2025 (SBRI competition)


Please note:

  • The procurement is subject to grant funding and the Council reserves the right not to award and/or not proceed with the procurement.  

  • The Council reserves the right to terminate the contract and/or not proceed to the next stage/phase should the grant be withdrawn, reduced, reclaimed, or withheld.

  • The Council has the right to reclaim, withhold and/or withdraw in the same circumstances as the grant conditions (referred to above).

  • The recipient(s) of the scale up contract(s) will be required to report on actual impact throughout the project lifetime and will be required to participate in post-project monitoring and evaluation with Cardiff Council, Cardiff Capital Region, and Welsh Government for at least 2 years post-project completion.

Further Information


For any enquiries about this competition e-mail: foodchallenge@cardiff.gov.uk

Benefits

Up to £0.8m of funding per project has been assigned to this phase

Instructions

  • Click +Create your idea at the top or bottom of this page to begin your submission

  • Complete every section (A - I) of your submission

  • Submit your idea prior to the deadline 10:00AM (BST) 9th October 2023

Please ensure you follow the guidance underneath each of the questions.


Please review the contract prior to application as this is non-negotiable.

Helpful links and docs

Challenge Brief
Challenge-Brief.pdf

Challenge Brief - Welsh
Challenge-brief---Cymraeg.pdf

Application Guidance Notes
SBRI-Application-Guidance-Notes.pdf

Application Guidance Notes - Welsh
SBRI-Application-Guidance-Notes---Welsh.pdf

Evaluation Criteria
Food-Challenge-evaluation-criteria.pdf

Evaluation Criteria - Welsh
Food-Challenge-evaluation-criteria---Welsh.pdf

SBRI FAQs
SBRI-FAQs.pdf

SBRI FAQs - Welsh
SBRI-FAQs---Welsh.pdf

Example SBRI Contract
Example-SBRI-Contract.pdf

Food Challenge Q&A
Food-Challange-Q---A-round-1---2.doc.pdf

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