Cardano Powered Certification for Supply Chain Security

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will create a proof of concept for NFT-based TAPA certifications on Cardano, demonstrating easy verification, tamper-proof records, and automated renewal notifications.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

As part of the project, we will analyze several potential business models around the proposed solution. the open-source status of the project output will depend on the analysis. While the main criteria for the decision will be the impact on the wider Cardano ecosystem, it is possible that some components of the proposed solution will remain proprietary.

[METADATA] Horizons

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proof of concept, TAPA Secure PoC, will demonstrate how Cardano's blockchain technology can transform TAPA's certification processes, improving security, efficiency, and trust in global logistics. We will focus on digitizing TAPA’s Facility Security Requirements (FSR), Trucking Security Requirements (TSR), and Parking Security Requirements (PSR) certifications using blockchain technology.

Key features of our solution:

• NFT-based certifications:

We will issue non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for each certification, embedding critical information such as certification type, holder’s details, issuance date, and expiry date. This provides a tamper-proof, immutable record of the certification, significantly reducing the risk of fraud or tampering. These NFTs will serve as verifiable digital certificates, enhancing transparency and trust in the certification process.

• Smart contract automation:

The lifecycle of these certifications—issuance, expiration, and renewal—will be managed through Cardano-based smart contracts. This automates several processes:

• Issuance: Certification tokens will be created and assigned to holders through the smart contract.
• Verification: The contract will facilitate real-time verification, ensuring the certificate's validity and status at any point in time.
• Expiry and Renewal: Certifications will have built-in expiry mechanisms, with automated notifications for renewal, ensuring timely action by holders and reducing manual intervention.
• User-friendly verification portal:

We will build an intuitive web interface that allows TAPA members and external parties to easily verify certifications. Users can input the NFT’s token ID to check its current status, ensuring real-time validation. This will provide a seamless experience for certification holders and verifiers, making the system accessible to non-technical users.

• Automated renewal notification system:

As certifications near expiry, the system will trigger automated renewal notifications, sent to the appropriate stakeholders. This ensures that certifications are maintained up-to-date, reducing the likelihood of lapses in compliance and improving overall operational efficiency.

This proof of concept will showcase how Cardano’s blockchain can offer significant advantages to TAPA and its members by improving the integrity of supply chain certifications. It will:

1. Reduce fraud: The tamper-proof nature of blockchain will make it nearly impossible to alter certifications without detection.
2. Streamline verification: The real-time verification portal will simplify the process of confirming certification status, increasing efficiency and trust.
3. Enable scalability: By demonstrating blockchain’s utility in this pilot, we lay the groundwork for broader adoption, potentially expanding this model across other sectors of logistics and supply chain management.

Additionally, this PoC will serve as a showcase for Cardano’s enterprise capabilities, positioning the ecosystem as a leader in solving real-world, large-scale industry challenges, and increasing the visibility of Cardano’s NFT and smart contract functionality.

About TAPA:

The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) was founded as a not-for-profit industry Association in 1997 to help Manufacturers & Shippers and their Logistics Service Providers minimize losses from their supply chains resulting from cargo thefts.

Today, the Association provides a host of industry standards, training, incident intelligence, route planning and networking tools and opportunities which are used by member companies as part of their own in-house supply chain security programs to manage risk and optimize loss prevention.

Mission

TAPA EMEA aims to ensure the integrity and resilience of global supply chains, enabling sustainable supply chain risk management and loss prevention through the adoption of proven industry security standards, the gathering and sharing of threat and loss intelligence, training, networking, and collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the secure movement and supply of goods for businesses and consumers.

For more info: https://tapaemea.org/about-tapa/

Check also our member section: https://tapaemea.org/members/

Check also the various training and certification resources: i.e. https://tapaemea.org/standards-trainings/

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The TAPA Secure PoC will provide several benefits to both the Cardano ecosystem and the broader blockchain industry by demonstrating how Cardano’s technology can address critical supply chain challenges.

• Real-World Utility for Cardano:

By successfully developing a PoC for secure certifications, this project will validate Cardano's capabilities in the logistics sector, showing how blockchain can enhance the integrity and efficiency of global supply chains. This will be one of the first large-scale implementations of Cardano in the security certification space, positioning the platform as a go-to blockchain for enterprise-level solutions.

• Expanding NFT Utility Beyond Art:

This project will highlight a practical, high-value use case for NFTs outside of the art and entertainment sectors. The successful implementation of NFT-based certifications will demonstrate the flexibility of Cardano’s NFT capabilities, broadening the scope of future NFT projects in enterprise and industrial applications.

• Attracting Enterprise Adoption:

By partnering with TAPA, a global industry association with over 600 member companies, this project introduces Cardano to a significant network of global manufacturers, logistics providers, and risk management firms. A successful PoC will encourage more enterprises to explore Cardano for secure, blockchain-based solutions. This could lead to more adoption across different industries and increase Cardano’s visibility in the enterprise space.

• Building Credibility in the Blockchain Space:

This project positions Cardano as a credible platform for solving real-world problems in critical industries. As more enterprises recognize the potential of Cardano’s technology, it will enhance Cardano’s reputation as a robust and scalable platform, attracting developers, projects, and investments to the ecosystem.

• Ecosystem Growth Through Open Source Contributions:

We plan to open-source parts of our solution, such as the smart contract code, to the Cardano developer community. This will provide valuable resources for developers who want to build similar solutions, helping to foster innovation and collaboration within the ecosystem.

Measurable Impact:

• Number of test certifications tokenized: 20 certifications will be created and verified during the PoC.
• Demonstrations to TAPA stakeholders: 2 successful demonstrations showcasing Cardano's blockchain capabilities.
• Engagement with TAPA members: Targeting 5 - 10 TAPA member companies to be introduced to the Cardano ecosystem.

Sharing the Outputs:

• We will publish a detailed case study on Cardano forums and present the project at a Cardano community event.
• Open-source the smart contract code to the developer community.
• Conduct a webinar for TAPA members, introducing them to blockchain technology and Cardano.
• Publish articles in TAPA’s newsletter and industry publications, highlighting Cardano’s role in enhancing supply chain security.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our project team brings a combination of blockchain expertise and deep industry knowledge, backed by decades of experience in both technical development and supply chain security. The collaboration with TAPA, a global leader in supply chain security certifications, ensures that our solution is designed to meet real-world logistics challenges.

Team Expertise and Delivery Process:

The project will be delivered by professionals with extensive experience in blockchain technology, particularly within the Cardano ecosystem, and in managing large-scale enterprise-level projects. The team has successfully implemented blockchain-driven solutions and will apply this expertise to develop and deploy the smart contract and verification portal. We will also use the NMKR platform and have the team collaboration for minting and managing the NFTs.

Industry Partnership:

TAPA’s involvement as a key partner provides real-world validation of our approach. TAPA will offer ongoing feedback and approval throughout the project, ensuring the solution aligns with industry standards for security and certification processes. This collaboration will also demonstrate how blockchain can be adopted by a leading global industry association.

Processes for Validation and Feasibility:

1. Planning and Risk Assessment: A thorough technical design and project plan will be developed at the outset, including a comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
2. Smart Contract and Portal Development: The project will involve a phased approach to development, with security reviews and rigorous testing at each stage to ensure the solution meets technical and security requirements.
3. Continuous Feedback: Feedback from TAPA stakeholders will be incorporated throughout the project, ensuring the solution meets both technical specifications and real-world needs.

Financial Management and Accountability:

The project will be managed with a clear focus on accountability. Milestone-based reporting, regular progress updates, and external security audits will ensure that all resources are used efficiently and effectively. We are committed to adhering to Catalyst’s funding rules and maintaining transparency throughout the project’s lifecycle.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Design and Planning (4 - 6 weeks)

Develop a comprehensive plan for integrating TAPA certifications with blockchain technology, focusing on how the data structure interacts with the Cardano blockchain and the design of the API and user interface.

Outputs:

• Project plan: A detailed roadmap outlining the timeline and key development phases.
• Design document: This will include:
• Data structure: How certification data will be organized and stored on the blockchain.
• Blockchain interaction: Specifications for smart contract functionality to handle issuance, verification, and expiry of certifications.
• Preliminary designs for API and UI: Initial design and functionality sketches for the user interface and API that will interact with the smart contract.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Data structure should cover the tree certification types (FSR, TSR, PSR)
• Clearly defined blockchain interactions covering certification issuance, verification, and renewal.
• Preliminary API design and user interface blueprint that aligns with project goals.

Evidence:

A link to a PDF containing project plan and architecture

Smart Contract Development and Testing (6 - 8 weeks)

Develop and deploy the smart contract that will manage TAPA’s NFT-based certifications on the Cardano testnet, handling issuance, verification, and renewal of certifications.

Outputs:

• Smart contract for NFT-based certifications: This contract will handle the lifecycle of certifications, including issuance, verification, expiry, and renewal notifications.
• Unit tests: A set of test cases covering all critical functions of the smart contract, ensuring robust performance and security.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful deployment on Cardano testnet: The smart contract must be fully functional on the testnet, covering all required actions (issuance, verification, expiry, and renewal).

Evidence:

• Testnet link: A link to the deployed smart contract on the Cardano testnet.
• Test logs: Logs of unit tests performed, showing results of the tests and any issues resolved.

Verification Portal Development and Integration (6 - 8 weeks)

Develop a web-based portal that allows users to verify the status of TAPA certifications, integrating the portal with the smart contract for real-time verification.

Outputs:

• Functional web-based verification portal: A user-friendly web interface that allows users to verify NFT-based certifications by inputting the token ID.
• Integration with smart contract: The portal will be fully integrated with the smart contract to fetch real-time certification data (issuance, expiry, and renewal status).
• User guide: A guide detailing how to access and use the portal, aimed at TAPA members and other stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful demonstration of the portal’s functionality: The portal must successfully verify certifications in real-time by interacting with the smart contract.
• Positive feedback from stakeholders: Usability and functionality feedback from TAPA representatives and project team must confirm that the portal meets user expectations.

Evidence:

• Link to portal
• A recorded demonstration of the portal verifying certifications.
• Collected feedback from TAPA representatives on the portal’s usability and effectiveness.

Proof of Concept Demonstration, Documentation, and Project Close-Out (6 - 8 weeks)

Complete the Proof of Concept (PoC) by tokenizing 100 TAPA certifications, demonstrating the system’s functionality, and documenting the results. This milestone also includes the project close-out, providing a final report and video summarizing the project's achievements and impact.

Outputs:

• 100 tokenized certifications: Issued and verified through the smart contract and portal.
• Final Report and Video: A final report and a video showcasing the project's capabilities and achievements.
• Presentation materials: Developed for TAPA stakeholders and the Cardano community, showcasing the project’s results and insights.

Acceptance Criteria:

• All 100 certifications must be issued, verified, and managed through the system.
• The final project report must be reviewed and approved by TAPA representatives.
• project closeout report & video as per https://docs.projectcatalyst.io/fund-documentation/fund10-docs/funded-project-reporting-guideline/project-closeout-report-and-project-closeout-video-pcr-and-pcv

Evidence:

• Signed approval from TAPA: A document from TAPA representatives approving the final report.
• Final project report: PDF of the report shared available on GitHub.
• Close-out video: Published video summarizing the project’s success, made available to the community.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Shay Gammer – Project Manager

• LinkedIn: Shay Gammer
• Role: Oversees the project, coordinating efforts between TAPA, the Cardano community, and the development team. Ensures alignment of all stakeholders, manages timelines, and leads project reporting and presentations.
• Expertise: A seasoned professional with a background in computer science and finance, Shay brings expertise in blockchain-driven innovation and project management, ensuring the successful execution of this PoC.

Gal Messinger – Supply Chain Expert

• LinkedIn: Gal Messinger
• Role: Leads the integration of supply chain security expertise, ensuring that TAPA's certification requirements are met. Acts as the primary liaison between the project team and TAPA.
• Expertise: Over 20 years of experience in supply chain security, with extensive knowledge of TAPA’s standards and procedures. Gal ensures that the blockchain solution aligns with real-world logistics and security needs.

Full Stack Developer - http://www.aiquant.ae/

• Role: Architect and lead developer for the NFT-based smart contract and the verification portal. Oversees the technical aspects of the project, including coding, integration, and testing.

When funded we will likely engage the http://www.aiquant.ae/ team which is active in Cardano for the last 3 years and with which we already collaborate on other projects

TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) – Project Coordination

• Role: Acts as the industry partner, coordinating internal TAPA resources and ensuring that the PoC meets TAPA's certification needs.
• Expertise: As a leading industry association with over 600 member companies, TAPA provides crucial guidance on certification processes and ensures that the solution aligns with their security standards.

* The TAPA management team will assign a project coordinator as soon as this becomes a funded project

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Budget: 120,000 ADA

Milestone 1: Design and Planning – 24,000 ADA (20% of total budget)

• Personnel Costs: 20,000 ADA
• Project Manager: 8,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 8,000 ADA
• Supply Chain Expert: 4,000 ADA
• Documentation and Planning: 2,000 ADA
• Risk Assessment and Reviews: 2,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Smart Contract Development and Testing – 36,000 ADA (30% of total budget)

• Personnel Costs: 28,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 15,000 ADA
• Smart Contract Specialist: 13,000 ADA
• Security Review and Testing: 5,000 ADA
• Infrastructure Costs (testnet deployment, tools): 3,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Verification Portal Development and Integration – 36,000 ADA (30% of total budget)

• Personnel Costs: 28,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 15,000 ADA
• Smart Contract Specialist: 8,000 ADA
• Supply Chain Expert: 5,000 ADA
• Development and Testing: 5,000 ADA
• User Guide Creation: 3,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Proof of Concept Demonstration, Documentation, and Project Close-Out – 24,000 ADA (20% of total budget)

• Personnel Costs: 20,000 ADA
• Lead Developer: 4,000 ADA
• Smart Contract Specialist: 4,000 ADA
• Supply Chain Expert: 5,000 ADA
• Project Manager: 7,000 ADA
• Final Testing and Quality Assurance: 2,000 ADA
• Documentation and Presentation Materials: 2,000 ADA

Budget Allocation Summary:

1. Personnel Costs: 96,000 ADA (80% of total budget)
2. Development and Infrastructure: 8,000 ADA (6.7% of total budget)
3. Testing and Security Reviews: 7,000 ADA (5.8% of total budget)
4. Documentation and Reporting: 5,000 ADA (4.2% of total budget)
5. Project Management and Close-out: 4,000 ADA (3.3% of total budget)

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The TAPA Secure PoC offers excellent value for money to the Cardano ecosystem:

1. Industry Exposure: By engaging with TAPA, a major industry association, we're showcasing Cardano's potential for enterprise-level application

1. NFT Utility Demonstration: This project demonstrates a practical use case for NFTs, expanding the perceived utility of Cardano's NFT capabilitie

1. Developer Resources: By open-sourcing parts of our solution, we're contributing valuable resources to the Cardano developer communit

1. Potential for Expansion: If successful, this proof of concept could lead to a full-scale implementation, bringing significant transaction volume and adoption to Cardan

1. Cost Efficiency: For a relatively modest investment of 150,000 ADA, we're delivering a proof of concept that could potentially influence an entire industry's approach to certification securit

1. Access to TAPA's Network: This project provides Cardano with exposure to TAPA's extensive membership of over 600 companies, including:

• Global manufacturers with combined annual revenues exceeding $900 billion
• Top 10 global logistics providers
• Major insurance companies and risk management firms

This exposure represents an unprecedented opportunity for Cardano to:

• Gain credibility in the enterprise sector
• Potentially influence future blockchain adoption decisions in major global companies
• Open doors for Cardano-based solutions in supply chain, logistics, and adjacent industries

1. Industry Credibility: By associating with TAPA, a respected industry body, Cardano gains credibility in the supply chain security sector. This credibility can be leveraged to attract other industry associations and enterprise clients to the Cardano ecosystem.

2. Media Exposure: TAPA's media reach, including industry publications and events, provides Cardano with exposure to a wide professional audience, potentially attracting new developers, projects, and investments to the ecosystem.

Considering that enterprise blockchain solutions often cost millions of dollars, our 150,000 ADA investment for this PoC offers exceptional value. It not only demonstrates Cardano's capabilities but also provides access to a network of potential enterprise adopters, significantly enhancing Cardano's position in the enterprise blockchain space.

The potential return on investment in terms of industry exposure, ecosystem growth, and future adoption opportunities far outweighs the project cost, representing excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem.