FAQs: Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI)

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🔹 What is Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI)?
Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) is a framework that allows government institutions in Rwanda to procure innovative solutions from startups and innovators instead of specifying rigid technical requirements. PPI focuses on solving real-world problems through creativity, collaboration, and technology.

🔹 Why should I, as a startup, participate in PPI?
PPI offers you a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with government institutions, grow your business, and contribute to solving community and policy-related challenges. Winning a PPI tender can be a strong market validation and a stepping stone toward securing additional funding or scaling your solution.

🔹 What kind of innovations are eligible under PPI?
Any innovative solution — whether a product, service, or process — that helps solve a challenge presented by a government institution, and that is not already available in the market, can be eligible under PPI.

🔹 How do I submit a proposal?
Proposals should be prepared following the guidelines outlined in the RFP (Request for Proposal), including a technical proposal, financial proposal, team profiles, and proof of concept or a prototype if applicable.

🔹 Do I need to be a registered business in Rwanda?
No — Any startups and a group of innovators can team up and are eligible to submit a proposal and enter into a government contract under PPI.

🔹 How are proposals evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team — the Ad Hoc Public Tender Committee for Innovation — against criteria such as technical robustness, innovation, cost-effectiveness, implementation capacity, and potential for impact.

🔹 What financial incentives or support are available?
Startups may receive funding, technical guidance, mentoring, and other incentives to aid in developing their solution, depending on the funding mechanisms and resources available at the time of the call.

🔹 How is intellectual property (IP) managed under PPI?
Intellectual property rights related to the solution may be partially retained by the innovator or shared with the procuring institution, depending on the agreement made during the procurement process.

🔹 What happens after I win a PPI tender?
If your proposal is selected, you will enter into a contract with the procuring institution to further develop, pilot, or implement your solution. This process typically involves phases — demonstration, solution development, and transitional experimentation — to validate its functionality and readiness for scale-up.

🔹 Is there a follow-up or evaluation after implementation?
Yes — the implementation is monitored and evaluated against predefined performance indicators or evaluation criteria, which are shared on the publication platform to gauge impact (such as improved service delivery, cost savings, or operational efficiency).

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FAQs about: RPPA’s Proposal to Develop an AI-Powered Commodity Classification System

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🔹 Is there a preferred technology stack?
✅ The solution should align with RISA’s technical guidelines and standards, be open, interoperable, scalable, and secure. Emerging technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, Data analytics, and IoT technologies are encouraged.

🔹 Is there a designated place where the demo link should be shared or submitted?
✅ The demo link should be included directly within your proposal document. Ensure that it is clearly indicated in the prototype section so evaluators can easily access and test it.

🔹 What is the funding available?
✅ The budget for each PoC is RWF 130M. This covers technical development and implementation (User Acceptance Test, Training, Go Live, and maintenance).

🔹 Are there intellectual property (IP) rights for innovators?
✅ IP is typically shared between the client (RPPA) and the innovator, per the PPI law.

🔹 What are the requirements for data management and procurement data storage?
✅ All procurement data is securely stored on the UMUCYO system and complies with the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS). Access rights are provided after onboarding via: ocds.umucyo.gov.rw

🔹 How quickly is a submitted contract reflected in the system?
✅ After submission, the contract manager is notified and verifies it. Once approved, it’s updated almost immediately in the system.

🔹 How are commodities identified or classified?
✅ UMUCYO currently uses ~150 standard commodity categories based on UNSPSC codes. However, these lack granularity. The proposed solution should introduce AI-based classification using Attribute-Value Pair (AVP) taxonomy for richer detail.

🔹 What format should submissions follow?
✅ Submit a detailed proposal with a working prototype or demo. Show key features like AI classification, AVP mapping, and validation tools.

🔹 When is the market survey done in the tender process?
✅ During the planning phase. While not all budget details are public, officers have internal access for planning and research alignment.

🔹 What happens after the submission deadline?
✅ A team from RISA, RPPA, MINICT, and other stakeholders will evaluate submissions. The top proposal(s) will be selected for funding and implementation.

🔹 What are the core problems to solve?
✅ Unstructured data, limited analytics, poor supplier matching, and manual errors due to reliance on free-text descriptions. The solution must introduce structured, AI-powered classification.

🔹 Who are the main users of the solution?
✅ Procurement officers, vendors, CBMs, oversight bodies, and data analysts — each with distinct roles in using or governing the system.

🔹 How much training is needed?
✅ Minimal for end users, but onboarding sessions for:

• Procurement staff (1–2 days)
• Vendors (short tutorials or half-day session)
• Admins (2–3 days tech training)

Documentation and support materials should be provided.

🔹 Who uses the Umucyo system?
✅ Procurement officers, CBMs, vendors, auditors, and ministries like MINIJUST.

🔹 Is maintenance required?
✅ Yes — at least 6 months of support post-delivery is expected.

🔹 What are the key timelines?
✅ Submission closes on August 1st, 2025. Implementation spans 10 months — 1 month for requirement gathering, 3 months development, 6 months maintenance.

🔹 Are there penalties for delays?
✅ Yes — delays can reduce payments or impact future collaboration.

🔹 What format should our proposal follow?
✅ Include technical plan, financial proposal, team profiles, case studies, and a prototype/mockup. Align clearly with the RFP’s evaluation criteria.

🔹 Are there any relevant policies or regulations?
✅ Yes — align your solution with Rwanda’s NST2 and national policies on climate, data, and digital public services.

🔹 Do we need to collaborate with local stakeholders?
✅ Yes — work with RPPA, RISA, and relevant government partners for successful co-implementation.

🔹 What support will we get during implementation?
✅ RISA, RPPA, and other entities will support with data, technical guidance, and policy alignment.

🔹 How do we submit our proposal?
✅ Upload a PDF proposal via: PPI Submission Platform

🔹 What is a PPI framework?
✅ Public Procurement for Innovation is flexible and inclusive — designed for startups and innovators without requiring large guarantees or years of experience.

🔹 Can individuals without a registered company apply?
✅ Yes — teams of individuals may apply and submit proposals.

🔹 Must applicants be companies?
✅ No — individuals, startups, and informal teams can apply if they demonstrate capability to deliver.

🔹 Where do we apply?
✅ Submit through: https://services.gov.rw/jw/web/userview/tenderProcessForInnovation/tenderProcessForInnovationUi/_/filled_tenders

✅ Need more help?
Please reach out to RISA or RPPA directly for clarification or support.