Key Points

1. North Dakota Vendor Id Mgt on bc
   
   1. Meet RFP requirements in Solution Design, Delivery Strategy
   2. Provide recommendations for POC software stack
   3. Provide strategies for IAM
   4. Provide examples of existing PS BC apps - f2plate, Sahoja mobile screen shot, NSF api shots
   5. Recommended process to improve quality, delivery, timing, communications for POC
   6. Recommended next steps
2. Other

References

Key Tasks

I have shared a list of questions for review.We are bidding for three segments within the five options in the list of documents i.e. Blockchain,ID Proofing and Self Sovereign Identity.The ID Proofing and Self Sovereign Identity specific part will be helped by Vipin.Vikram is in charge of the RFP for submission and feel free to connect with him for more details if you need.

a> review rfp
a> answer questions
a> research TYS vs custom
a> research Fabric samples for id mgt
a> research verified.me for Fab id mgt
a> research Besu, Indy for IAM
a> review oauth2, openid docs

research ...
https://www.hyperledger.org/blog/2020/04/21/trustid-a-new-approach-to-fabric-user-identity-management

Key Concepts

state Proposal Requirements

The Project Team expects the bidders to provide at the minimum the following information in their response:

1. Architecture of the end-to-end systems required to achieve the solution(s).
   Suggested approach for what data should be captured and stored on chain vs. off chain (e.g. via a database or other solution).
   Detailed information about the blockchain/DLT technology, including:
2. a) the consensus mechanism that will be used and ability to configure the parties participating in that mechanism; and
3. b) baseline performance metrics (e.g. transaction throughput),
4. c) scalability of the solution,
5. d) future proofing the solution by exploring the viability of implementing smart contracts, tokens,
6. e) potential to interoperability of the solution(s) offered.
7. Provide a governance model including processes, structure, etc. for the blockchain/DLT network.
8. Recommendations for additional complementary technologies to support the objectives. Recommendations for a successful implementation and integration with other systems and to capture data automatically without human intervention.
9. Recommendations for end beneficiary interaction with the blockchain/DLT system and the processes surrounding onboarding (KYC/AML), offboarding, data collection, data privacy/sharing of end users.
10. Security, access control, permissions, data privacy and scalability are essential and must be described as part of the response. Also, from the data privacy perspective, provide information on potentially applicable local laws that may need to be considered to ensure that sensitive data of data subjects can be processed in the manner contemplated, examples include, banking or financial sector regulatory restrictions, or data localization issues and etcetera.
11. A project plan for this proof of concept.

Challenges for a DLT Solution Strategy

Performance will continue to scale from current levels significantly over the next few years

As DLT evolves, timely testing and migrating to new versions is important

It's not clear how privacy, security and other regulations will evolve from different entities

How will new features, solutions and technologies be integrated?

Where will the solution run?

How will appropriate users participate in the solution?

What are the implementation, roll out challenges moving to the solution?

How will VCRS ( Value - Costs - Risks - Support ) be managed across the Value Chain Network ( VCN )?

Initial Solution Scope

identity - individuals

identity - organizations

individual enrolls in a school

individual earns diploma for a school program

credentials - diploma

requests - transcript

generate DIDs for existing users, orgs

estimate volumes - users, diplomas, requests

payment options - ccard, paypal, account, other ??

token options - custom on stellar or defined option

Candidate Solution Requirements 

open-source

skills transfer - insourcing

integrated identity management - options for DID or existing IDs

Section 3 - Solution Strategy deliverables

• Architecture of the end-to-end systems required to achieve the solution(s).

slides on Fabric solution software stack

logical vs physical network model 

supports all actors, disbursement scenarios 

• Suggested approach for what data should be captured and stored on chain vs. off chain (e.g. via a database or other solution).

Identity

all participants ( users, organizations ) need an identity on the network

POC can use MSP, CA but production should consider DID

https://medium.com/uport/the-basics-of-decentralized-identity-d1ff01f15df1

• Detailed information about the blockchain/DLT technology, including:

• a) the consensus mechanism that will be used and ability to configure the parties participating in that mechanism; and

• b) baseline performance metrics (e.g. transaction throughput),

• c) scalability of the solution,

• d) future proofing the solution by exploring the viability of implementing smart contracts, tokens,

• e) potential to interoperability of the solution(s) offered.

Recommended Fabric Consensus Model

recommend RAFT consensus model at this point for a version 2x production solution

Fabric provides very flexible endorsement policies that can match specific network roles

Performance monitoring

Caliper provides operational metrics on blockchain performance

compare 3rd party tools like BlocWatch 

create performance aggregates for throughput and response outliers by period for trend, exception analysis

RAS - Reliability, Availability and Service

Blockchain networks have some built-in advantages as decentralized systems

Fabric version 2x further decentralizes the system with decentralized ordering services 

Organizations and nodes that go offline can catch up automatically on reconnect with the ledger

Smart Contract Life Cycle Support in v2x

Transactions are digitally signed, executed, endorsed and tracked on the immutable ledger

Smart contract versions are also signed and tracked on deployment providing complete audit trail

Smart contracts have decentralized governance for deployment with policy-driven endorsements for deployments

Smart contract ( chaincode ) packages can be inspected, deployed multiple times

Smart contracts can be extended to provide custom validations on transactions for example

Private Data Enhancements 

https://hyperledger-fabric.readthedocs.io/en/latest/whatsnew.html

Instead of sharing private data within a collection of multiple members, you may want to share private data across collections, where each collection may include a single organization, or perhaps a single organization along with a regulator

Private data can be shared with members not a member of a private data collection

Member receiving shared data can verify the transaction is valid by matching the on-chain hashes

Private data allows custom, optional endorsement policies that override smart contract endorsement policies

For example, 2 orgs with private data may have to endorse the transaction as well

For direct, per-organization private data sharing, private data collections do not need to be defined first

Token Support 

Design process can determine the need for different token types in the disbursement solution

Token Taxonomy Initiative defines a Token Taxonomy Framework 

https://github.com/token-taxonomy-initiative/TokenTaxonomyFramework

http://tokentaxonomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/TTF-Overview.pdf

Examples of tokens defined in version 1 specification 

• Provide a governance model including processes, structure, etc. for the blockchain/DLT network.

• Recommendations for additional complementary technologies to support the objectives. Recommendations for a successful implementation and integration with other systems and to capture data automatically without human intervention.

automation via IoT devices and sensors for data capture and validation where feasible

automated monitoring on data quality at data capture ( entry - edit - post )

automated monitoring of project disbursement limits by actor and role

external systems integration - real-time editing on data capture 

event driven and batch control posting of blockchain transactions to auxilliary systems

• Recommendations for end beneficiary interaction with the blockchain/DLT system and the processes surrounding onboarding (KYC/AML), offboarding, data collection, data privacy/sharing of end users.

Assumptions and Considerations for end users

All users ideally have a compatible mobile device to access the network BUT this can't be assumed as a requirement

When on-boarded, all users need to provide an proof-of-identity ( via online registration or another method )

All users need to be assigned an identity from the state and stored in the network for remote access

All users need to consent to the terms and conditions of operating on the state network and are subject to application local regulations

users accessing the network may use an approved multi-factor authentication method ( MFA ) on the device

Auditors and regulators have defined access rights to authorized data subject to any applicable legal limitations

Where feasible and within regulations, personal data is not shared with others on the network without consent

If self-sovereign identities ( SSI ) are used, then zero-knowledge proofs can be used as identity and claim proofs for verification

Decision on which languages and localization will be supported 

Issues

• Security, access control, permissions, data privacy and scalability are essential and must be described as part of the response. Also, from the data privacy perspective, provide information on potentially applicable local laws that may need to be considered to ensure that sensitive data of data subjects can be processed in the manner contemplated, examples include, banking or financial sector regulatory restrictions, or data localization issues and etcetera.

• A project plan for this proof of concept.

Proposed POC Project Plan

The production project plan will be set during the POC based on requirements and results

The POC project prerequisites address several areas:

Establishment of POC project governance and success criteria

Transcript request process requirements

Requirements for actors by role to participate in the network and processes

Solution surveys validating needs analysis and usability of selected participants

Analysis of existing systems gaps, performance

Conceptual design of the production system

Conceptual design of the production infrastructure 

Using the recommended Agile process, the POC project plan covers several areas:

POC Design of selected processes, actor roles, transactions and validations

POC infrastructure build out including POC security 

POC integration interfaces 

POC identity management enrollments and authorizations for participants

POC development of required artifacts

POC applications, systems integration and load testing

POC operations automation and testing 

Evaluation and feedback from POC participants

Review of POC systems results 

Section 3 - Solution Strategy updates

architecture models ...

.. see ibm docs 

view the logical software stack 

the logical network

the privacy & confidentiality 

the identity 

the security

update Logical slide with diagram

update Identity and Security slide 

add Identity Integration Options 

IDEMIX

add IDEMIX option ???

Indy ??

add slide

Candidate Solution Components

Indy, Explorer, Caliper, Cello and more

show Indy integration example – see verified.me and ??

Blockchain integration options 

from IBM blockchain deck

http://pdfviewer.softgateon.net/?state=%7B%22ids%22:%5B%221V6Rlx1Nb_s6Y_VpuqytLKXdet3cZhl4g%22%5D,%22action%22:%22open%22,%22userId%22:%22100647766896047560744%22%7D

The blockchain network events can be integrated with existing systems events automating workflows.

Where needed, integrations can be synchronous or asynchronous.

Blockchain Experience Section Write up

This is what I have gathered that we have so far - please change the information if it is any different.

Food Industry: Provenance & Tracking

Opportunity 

Create a global supply chain provenance and tracking solution for Ethical sourcing that tracks product from indigenous farmers in the Rain forest

Solution Strategy 

Paramount delivered a Fabric blockchain solution for a global provenance & tracking of a product from raw product through packaging, shipping and selling it. 

Expected Impacts 

The solution provides an end-to-end ethical sourcing and delivery solution with lower overall costs and higher accuracy on shipments, billing simplifying a complex, opaque and time-consuming transportation process involving trucks, rail, and shipping. 

Identity and Work Management

Opportunity 

Automate accurate contractor login, permits and tracking on assigned work tickets to lower overhead costs, provide timely updates on jobs.

Solution Strategy 

Paramount created a blockchain pilot project for a federal Power & Utility provider. The mobile app uses a blockchain platform to track and manage contractor work tickets securely and productively. Smart Contracts provide secure tracking of access, permits, work and assets. 

Expected Impacts 

When completed, the cost savings should be more than 200% of the system cost with accurate work tracking and fewer billing disputes to resolve.

Token management for Health and Wellness organization

Opportunity 

New social good platform needs to accept online donations for projects, reward users for content and usage where many users have limited banking and Internet access.

Solution Strategy 

Paramount launched an MVP Web app with blockchain for an online wellness and social good community platform where users can get and spend tokens from the Stellar Network.

Expected Impacts 

The Web app made it easy to track user donations and rewards as tokens with less dependency on traditional banking systems.

Residential Energy Grid Management

Opportunity 

An NSF project funded blockchain research for improved residential distributed energy management solution needs a token-based system to track power generated, purchased, sold to the utility

Solution Strategy 

Paramount is delivering a Hyperledger Fabric Blockchain solution. The project engages Utility token built using Ethereum (ERC20 preferably) on top of that for storage and exchange of energy to facilitate energy trading. The solution reconciles any payment issues between producers and consumers.

Expected Impacts 

The solution will efficiently track energy produced, consumed and sold from a residential system lower energy cost for a homeowner and lowering demand requirements for the grid provider. It can optimize the revenue generated for the homeowner using smart demand management.

Simple Use Case Format 

Opportunity 

Solution Strategy 

Expected Impacts 

Presentation Concepts 

CBTP

VCRS

VCN

Why Paramount ?

Not the biggest

Not the most experienced in DLT

Most committed

Easy to work with 

presentation focus points

1. I agree the demo is a "nice to have" and should be limited at best as we proposed.
2. On the response, your deck doesn't yet fully address the items listed in their presentation request.
3. We will also need to "set the table" for the section 1 responses by summarizing key requirements for the selected use cases we agreed to focus on as well as a slide on key assumptions we are making.  This isn't going to be just a single slide for each category listed in section 1 of the Response.
4. Like the company introduction and blockchain experience which you and Pramod have covered well in this slide deck and defining why Paramount is well aligned on social values and public sector work as a vendor will be important but won't take a lot of time.
5. We can talk to the approach to the POC but not really the detail design.- our process, our partnership etc. I do assume this won't be as extensive a discussion unless they share more detail requirements in the meeting.
6. I may be wrong on how they run our 60 minute presentation but I expect a large part of the time will go into discussion on how we see the Fabric platform and related software environment addressing each of the section 1 issues with it's pros and cons.  That's where I'm focusing most of my time now.
7. Let me know if you see the focus differently.

Other thoughts on presentation approach

I agree the demo is a "nice to have" and should be limited at best as we proposed.

Potential Value Opportunities

Key Assumptions

Detail engineering for a production solution is out of scope for the presentation

1. Addressing legal requirements by jurisdiction for transfer or sale of goods, services and money is outside the scope of the solution design
2. Data privacy considerations reflect key concepts in GDPR and related statutes as they are interpreted
3. Security considerations address concepts of identity, authentication, functional authorization, data authorization, data encryption
4. This is a permissioned enterprise blockchain 
5. All transactions are recorded in the ledger
6. All participants transacting on the network have:  an assigned identity, a wallet, assigned credentials in the wallet
7. Receipt of goods, services and payments by organizations and users can digitally tracked 
8. Distribution of cash, services and goods physically is separate issue
9. If goods have bar code or QR code labels, those can be scanned as a transaction on the mobile device
10. Services delivery could be validated as a simple online transaction referencing the service order or using a physical service work ticket if it's generated

Key Requirements 

how do we rank requirements priority?

1. governance model that fits state, agencies, banks, ngos, service provider and user community well
2. support model that fits state, agencies, banks, ngos, service provider and user community well
3. immutable ledger for track and trace of all transactions
4. guaranteed participant identification, authentication, authorizations
5. guaranteed transaction finality
6. scalable performance 
7. platform portability
8. automated event management with smart contracts to guarantee correct responses to business events in the use case scenarios
9. options for DLT network configurations, consensus
10. DR and BCP support for potential failure scenarios

Potential Challenges

Key Issues 

Presentation will focus on key areas:

1. company strength, experience and delivery capability in key areas 
2. understanding of the state transcripts solution needs and key use case scenarios in detail 
3. understanding of state disbursement channels, governance and related regulatory requirements 
4. depth and quality of solution design to meet requirements 
5. depth and quality of technical engineering depth on solution platforms, engineering, risks, mitigations and improvements

Vendor selection will focus on:

1. existing relationships and experience working with state

Total capacity throughput and response times

Expected capacity and response times can be modeled during POC phase.

For selected transactions in the high volume use case scenarios, we can model

Focus is on write use case performance where transactions are created vs read performance where response times and throughput benefit from caching etc.

Key User Response benchmark

Estimate ave response time for key transaction writes based on similar Fabric benchmark tests on v1.4x.

Key System Throughput benchmark

Estimate ave TPS from existing benchmarks on similar use cases

Simple UX needed for Mobile devices - IOS, Android 

Slow speed networks and offline access 

Thanks Mahua for the focus on the  "limited network connectivity" constraint.

Candidate Blockchain Demos for state transcripts Use Cases

use case 1> Show loan payments disbursement to a user scenario

We could create this demo and build a video of it to present if needed during the presentation to the state.

environment

AWS , Hyperledger Fabric v1.4x, Feathers.js, MongoDb

logical entities in loan disbursement demo scenario

1. bank - bank that receives funds from loan to disburse to users
2. user - user receives funds from loan bank based after authorization
3. bank account - bank and user both have bank accounts
4. loan - funds loaded to the bank's account ( not shown in demo )
5. disbursement - based on authorization to a user, funds are transferred to user bank account from the bank's account

events for disbursement to user

** registrations create ids, wallets, keys for the bank and the user ( use existing logic in NSF POC for this )
>> create user bank account –  created directly in MongoDb - No smart contract now
>> create grant bank account  –  created directly in MongoDb - No smart contract now
>> make grant payment to bank's grant account - add funds directly in MongoDb
** make payment from grant account to user account ( new smart contract to create )

** events defined need smart contracts ,,  registrations support already exists from NSF

The events marked ** could be in the video

how to demo the loan disbursement test case

demo postman api calls to smart contracts 

demo CouchDB Fauxton queries for blockchain World State transactions

demo MongoDb queries to show offchain data state 

Reference UI for SAMPLE interfaces ONLY - not related to state use case at all

Farm to Plate console 

Sahoja mobile screen shots

use case 2> set key service delivery to a user scenario

environment

aws, hlf v1.4x, feathers??, mongo ???

entities
bank, service provider, user, bank account, service, payment

events for service delivery and payment to user
** registrations create ids, wallets, keys for user, provider, bank
** create bank account for user, provider
** create service contract for provider
deliver service to a user
** receipt for service delivered from user
** make payment from grant account to provider account

use case 3> set transcript delivery to a user scenario

environment

aws, hlf v1.4x, feathers??, mongo ???

entities
bank, service provider, user, bank account, service, payment

events for service delivery and payment to user
** registrations create ids, wallets, keys for user, provider, bank
** create bank account for user, provider
** create service contract for provider
deliver service to a user
** receipt for service delivered from user
** make payment from grant account to provider account

Candidate Solutions

IBM Blockchain Platform features

https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_sm/9/877/ENUS5737-J29/index.html&request_locale=en&title=Europe_-_IBM_Blockchain_Platform_V2.1

IBM Blockchain on IBM Cloud as a platform to run Hyperledger Fabric

IBM Blockchain is a set of services built on Hyperledger Fabric that runs on IBM Cloud.

It's more mature than other competing Fabric services from AWS, Azure, Google. You can expect IBM to support the latest versions of Fabric before the other service providers normally. IBM also has deeper resources to support Fabric.

For supported integrations, it provides some easier administration tools and tool chains to enable certain types of integration.

The IBM Blockchain Services increase the runtime costs for operating the network over standing up Fabric with related infrastructure software.

references

https://www.ibm.com/blogs/blockchain/2018/08/hyperledger-fabric-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-framework-that-powers-ibm-blockchain/

Step-by-step guide for Example

sample code block

Recommended Next Steps

Related articles