INNOVATION & CAPABILITY VOUCHER
OPERATING GUIDELINES
FOR
SERVICE PROVIDERS
CONFIDENTIAL
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Objectives
3
2. Eligibility
3
3. Qualification Guidelines
3
4. Funding Support
4
5. Conditions of Voucher Usage
5
6. General Responsibilities of Service Providers
5
7. Pre-project Discussion
7
8. Project Commencement
8
9. Voucher Redemption
9
10. Handling of Deviations
9
Annexes
Annex 1: List of Supportable Services under ICV
Annex 2: List of Approved Service Providers
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INNOVATION & CAPABILITY VOUCHER
OPERATIONAL POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
1.
OBJECTIVES
1.1
The Innovation & Capability Voucher (ICV) aims to achieve the following:

To start Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) off in their capability
upgrading efforts

To provide easier access to relevant expertise and support for SMEs
2.
ELIGIBILITY
2.1
The ICV is open to all companies registered or incorporated in Singapore and
physically present in Singapore, subjected to the following eligibility criteria:

The applicant company must have at least 30% local equity

The applicant company must have a group annual sales turnover not
exceeding S$100 million or having a group employment size of no more
than 200 employees.
2.2
SMEs with pending Innovation Voucher Scheme (IVS) or ICV vouchers are
not eligible to apply for new ICV unless the pending projects have been
completed
3.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
3.1
ICV can support a pre-approved list of projects/ services which can be
redeemed with pre-approved Service Providers (SPs) in the following four
capability areas:

Innovation

Productivity

Human Resources (HR) Development

Financial Management
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3.2
The following guidelines apply to all applications submitted under the ICV:

Each SME can only be awarded up to two vouchers per capability area
for FY2012-FY2015

Sufficient project details should be provided in the application form.
SPRING reserves the right to request for additional information or
documents.

The project should not have commenced or received funding from
SPRING Singapore or other public-sector organisations

Project outcome should directly benefit the applicant company
3.3
Please refer to Annex 1 and Annex 2 for the list of services/deliverables and
SPs which are supported under the ICV, respectively.
4.
FUNDING SUPPORT
4.1
ICV funding is subjected to a grant cap of $5,000 per voucher. Funding does
not cover GST
4.2
Each voucher can only support one project from one SP
4.3
If cost incurred exceeds the voucher value, the SME is expected to top up the
additional amount on its own. If cost incurred is lower than voucher value, the
unused amount will not be reimbursed by SPRING Singapore to either SP /
SME)
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5.
CONDITIONS OF VOUCHER USAGE
5.1
The following conditions apply for ICV usage :

Each voucher must be signed by the SME applicant and submitted to the
approved SP prior to project commencement

SPRING Singapore is indemnified and kept harmless against any liability,
loss or claim which SPRING Singapore may suffer or incur to any third
party in connection with the use of the voucher

The voucher does not give any Guarantee or Warranty in respect of the
services provided by the SP

SPRING Singapore reserves the rights to conduct a random audit on
the SP / SME applicant’s project/service prior/subsequent to
project/service completion

Each voucher is non-transferable and can only be used by the assigned
SME

Each voucher is not tradable or exchangeable for cash

Each voucher is valid for six months from the approval date of the
voucher
6.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS
6.1
SP shall read and ensure that they understand the ICV guidelines provided
along with the Letter of Appointment by SPRING Singapore. The ICV
guidelines offer a comprehensive overview of the SP’s responsibilities. SP
shall adhere to the ICV guidelines.
6.2
SP shall be responsible for its activities with SMEs under the ICV and shall
ensure that SPRING is not drawn into any legal / commercial disputes
between SP and any third parties.
6.3
SP warrants that all information provided to SPRING Singapore for the
purpose of being appointed as the Approved-In-Principle Service Provider
under the ICV is true, complete and accurate. SP shall inform SPRING
Singapore in writing of any changes in respect of any information provided
previously to SPRING Singapore. SPRING Singapore reserves the right to
amend or impose further terms and conditions to those set out herein in the
event of any such changes.
6.4
SP shall ensure that the pre-approved list of consultants maintain their
Practising Management Consultants Certification Board (PMC) certification
status continuously throughout the appointment period. Approved non-PMC
certified consultants must obtain their PMC certification by 01 Oct 2012.
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SPRING Singapore will disburse payment for completed projects upon
confirmation of the consultants’ PMC certification status by 01 Oct 2012.
Similarly, HACCP consultants are required to be registered or approved under
the food safety consultancy specialisation track in the PMC scheme by 01
October 2012. HACCP consultants will only be reimbursed for completed
projects upon confirmation of the consultants’ specialisation status by 01 Oct
2012. (non-applicable for Knowledge Institutes)
6.5
SP shall ensure that only consultants that have been pre-approved by
SPRING Singapore are allowed to take responsibility as the ICV project team
leader. Each project team leader can only provide the pre-approved services
tied to him/her as stated in the Letter of Offer. (non-applicable for Knowledge
Institutes)
6.6
SP shall seek approval from SPRING Singapore prior to changes in the SP’s
pre-approved areas of services and list of consultants.
6.7
SP shall notify SPRING Singapore immediately if there are any changes to
the consultant’s employment and PMC certification status. (non-applicable for
Knowledge Institutes)
6.8
SP shall notify SPRING Singapore immediately if the consultant faces any
legal suits that may impose reputational risk to SPRING.
6.9
SP shall be subjected to random audits on the ICV projects by SPRING
Singapore. SPRING reserves the rights to obtain from the SP or the SMEs
any information deemed necessary for the audits.
6.10 SP shall undergo an annual review initiated by SPRING Singapore 2-3
months prior to the end of their term of appointment. The annual review will be
a determining factor in the renewal of the SP for subsequent terms. All SPs
will be reviewed on the following criteria:
6.10.1
Capability & Project Capacity
6.10.2
Audit Records
6.10.3
Project Performance
6.10.4
Service Standards
6.11 SP shall ensure any pending projects that have been approved prior to the
end of their appointment are been processed according to the ICV guidelines
even if their appointment term has ended.
6.12 SP shall keep the terms and conditions of this ICV confidential. Such
information shall not be released to any external party, the public or the press
unless prior written consent from SPRING Singapore is given.
6.13 SP is not eligible to apply for the ICV vouchers during their appointment
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6.13 The voucher(s) may be withdrawn or cancelled, in full or in part, by SPRING
Singapore at any time (whether prior or subsequent to the disbursement of the
support project(s) / service(s) to the SMEs) in the event of any breach of
terms and conditions herein, misrepresentation or the giving of false or
misleading statements by or on behalf of the SP in respect of the SP’s
submission of any particular voucher to SPRING Singapore for redemption,
and the SP shall, upon demand, forthwith refund / repay to SPRING all
monies which SPRING Singapore may have disbursed to the SP in that
regard. SPRING Singapore also reserves the rights to publicize the names of
SP(s) who have been involved in fraudulent conduct.
6.14 SPRING Singapore reserves the right to change the ICV guidelines from time
to time as may be required due to changes in the ICV. SPs will be notified of
all changes prior to implementation.
6.15 SPRING Singapore reserves the right to terminate the appointment at any
time by giving not less than one month’s notice to SP.
7.
PRE-PROJECT DISCUSSION
Prior to application, SMEs are required to consult the SPs to discuss the
project scope. SPs are required to do the following :
7.1
handle enquiries directly from SMEs through an appointed key contact person.
SP shall update SPRING Singapore on the details of the key contact person
7.2
accept projects that are supportable within SP’s capacity. If not, SPs should
refer the projects to other suitable SPs. All projects / services should not have
commenced before the voucher has been issued by SPRING Singapore
7.3
verify that the applicant is an authorised personnel from the applicant
company and the company has agreed to work on the project
7.4
assist the SME in scoping the project / service and completing Part 1 of the
application form, which includes the following:






Centre Code
Service Code (Type of Assistance)
Name of Contact Person from Service Provider
Date of Application
Project Title
Project Details (only applicable for technology development projects)
Please take note that the service and centre codes are included in Annex
1 and Annex 2 respectively. The codes must be provided by the SP when
scoping the project with the SME prior to the submission of the
application form.
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7.5
SP shall SPs shall also ensure there is no missing information in the
application form
7.6
assess if the assistance required by the SME under the project / service in
question qualifies as a supportable service under ICV. SPs can only provide
for services that have been pre-approved by SPRING Singapore
8.
PROJECT COMMENCEMENT
After the SME has been awarded the voucher by SPRING Singapore, an
email notification will be sent to both the SME and the SP as indicated by the
SME. SPs are required to do the following:
8.1
verify that the issued voucher is still valid at the point of request (validity is six
months from the date the voucher is approved)
8.2
verify that the SME requesting for a project / service is the named voucher
holder
8.3
ensure that the voucher is meant for project / service redemption with the
approved SP
8.4
prepare and execute a written project / service agreement with the SME,
specifying the project / service details and expected outcomes before actual
commencement of the project / service. The contents of the written project /
service agreement between SME and SP should not contravene the terms
and conditions in the signed Letter of Offer from SPRING Singapore
8.5
collect the signed voucher from the SME prior to project commencement
8.6
use its best endeavors to complete the project/service within the validity
period of the voucher
8.7
manage the projects / services accordingly and work closely with SMEs to
ensure that all required deliverables are achieved
8.8
carry out the entire project / service in Singapore unless otherwise
stated
8.9
provide the Director, Technology Innovation Division of SPRING Singapore or
his nominees on request with all relevant information with regards to each
applicant as may be required for monitoring and verification purposes
8.10 source for a relevant replacement from its SPRING-approved list of Practising
Management Consultants Certification Board (PMC) certified consultants to
take over any pending projects in the event that the previous consultant is
unable to do so (non-applicable for Knowledge Institutes)
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8.11 assist the SMEs in applying for changes in project details / duration / SPs.
Only a one-time change is allowed and all requests must be approved by
SPRING Singapore prior to commencement. No changes are allowed after
project completion
9.
VOUCHER REDEMPTION
Upon project completion, SPs are required to do the following:
9.1
redeem the voucher from SPRING Singapore upon the completion of projects
/ services. Redemption must be made within six months from the date the
voucher is approved
9.2
all voucher redemptions shall be made on the official Redemption Form. The
form shall be fully completed by the authorized personnel within the SP. All
redemptions are to be submitted together with the necessary supporting
documents as set out below:
9.3

project/ service report, endorsed by the SME and indicating summarized
project details or services provided. This may include the total project /
service cost, the name(s) and designation(s) of the staff which carried
out the work, the number of hours and the hourly rates committed

The original vouchers signed by an authorized personnel from the SME

A copy of the invoice billed to the SME by SP for the project(s) /
service(s) provided
provide a list of the project / service deliverables been achieved. In the event
that any required deliverables have not been met, SP and SME must jointly
agree and provide explanation
SPRING Singapore reserves the right to reject the voucher redemption(s) in
the event that the project(s) does not adhere to the ICV guidelines or
fraudulent act(s) have been committed by the SME and/or SP. In the event of
rejection of the voucher redemption(s), both SPRING Singapore and SME
may not be required to reimburse the SP for the redemption amount.
10.
HANDLING OF DEVIATIONS
10.1 In the event that SMEs / SPs request for any changes or deviations, SPRING
Singapore will assess on a case-by-case basis. All requests must be put up
with the consent of the SME and an email should be sent to the ICV team at
ICV@spring.gov.sg with the following information:



Company name
Voucher number
SP name
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





Consultant name
Original project title
Status of project
Nature of request
Reason(s) for the request
Endorsement from company on the accuracy of the contents stated in
the request
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Annex 1
LIST OF SUPPORTABLE SERVICES
Service
Code
101
102
103
104
105
106
Service
Code
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
Service
Code
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
Service
Code
401
402
403
404
405
Innovation
List of Service
Technical Feasibility Study
Technical Support Services
Technical Skills & Knowledge Development
IP Business Diagnostic – Phase 1
IP Legal Diagnostic – Phase 2
Business Design Thinking
Productivity
List of Service
ISO 9001
HACCP
Managing Organisations for Higher Productivity
Productivity Diagnosis and Measurement
Productivity Improvement Projects
Benchmarking
Service Diagnosis
Mystery Audits
Development of service blueprint
Understanding customer expectation
Human Resource Development
List of Service
Manpower Planning
Recruitment & Selection
Compensation & Benefits
Performance Management
Learning & Development
Career Management
Development of Employee Handbook
Financial Management
List of Service
Planning and Budgeting
Cash-flow and Working Capital Management
Financial Controls for SMEs
Financial and Business Assessment for Growth
Financial Management Advisory
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ANNEX 2
LIST OF APPROVED SERVICE PROVIDERS
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Public Knowledge Institutes
Centre Code
Centre of Innovation for Electronics (COIE@NYP)
Environmental and Water Technology Centre of
Innovation (EWT COI@NP)
Food Innovation Resource Centre (FIRC@SP)
Marine and Offshore Technology Centre of
Innovation (MOT COI@NP)
Precision Engineering Centre of Innovation
(PECOI@SIMTECH)
Supply Chain Management Centre of Innovation
(SCMCOI@RP)
Data Storage Institute (DSI)
Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences
(ICES)
Institute of Microelectronics (IME)
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
(IMRE)
Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R)
ITE College Central
ITE College East
ITE College West
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
Republic Polytechnic (RP)
Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
Temasek Polytechnic (TP)
Systemed Pte Ltd @NTU
Institute of Environmental Science & Engineering
(IESE)@NTU
Intellectual Property Intermediary (IPI)
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