StatVentures Supply Chain Challenge Phase 2: Roadmap

The StatVentures Supply Chain Challenge is an initiative of the Census Open Innovation Labs. The labs work with collaborators outside the government to source new technologies and solutions for the U.S. Census Bureau to maintain quality data collection. The challenge runs in multiple phases and encourages participants to suggest innovative methods and data sources that could be adopted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Supply Chain Challenge is currently in its second phase. Its primary focus is identifying new ways of collecting and measuring data related to supply chains, including manufacturing, imports, exports, transportation and delivery of goods, and other factors relating to global supply chains. As e-commerce grows and logistics technologies evolve, there is a need to explore new data sources and improve measurement methodology.

The U.S. Census Bureau currently obtains supply chain information via business surveys and official records across the U.S. The agency believes that there are untapped data sources that could provide more detailed and timely information concerning our nation’s transportation and supply chain infrastructure.

The challenge aims to find ways of capturing and integrating these promising but largely unexplored data sources. The eventual goal is to improve the quality, specificity, and timeliness of supply chain data and data products. Applicants are especially encouraged to suggest methods not reliant on conventional survey data.

The competition involves three phases:

- Phase 1 (Concept) - This phase is now complete. Applicants were asked to suggest ideas to improve existing Census Bureau supply chain data. The best ideas received a $10,000 grant and an invitation to compete in Phase 2.

- Phase 2 (Roadmap) - In this current phase, applicants are tasked with constructing implementation plans based on ideas from Phase 1. These should demonstrate the feasibility of the concept, a clear plan for execution, and potential benefits for the Census Bureau. Up to eight winners will be chosen, each receiving up to $350,000 in prizes and an invite to compete in Phase 3.

- Phase 3 (Test) - In this future phase, winning Phase 2 applicants will be required to test their ideas to generate real data and prove their potential for practical implementation by the Census Bureau.

The competition is set up to provide feedback and partnerships with the U.S. Census Bureau, making it easier for government agencies to adopt newly proposed concepts and technologies.

For Phase 2, applicants must present a detailed implementation roadmap for their idea, explaining its execution, deliverables, and potential return on investment. This roadmap must detail how the Census Bureau should be involved and describe the benefits tied to implementing their proposal

Throughout Phase 2, applicants are provided with essential information on key topics such as legal authorities that govern data collection, privacy considerations and how to evaluate their concept’s return on investment during cohort sessions.

The next competition phase, Phase 3, is set to launch in 2024. In the meantime, the Prize details for this next phase are yet to be released.