Is CRS Eligible for NCSS Tech-and-GO! Funding? What SSAs Need to Know
- aaronsinduartha
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
By Chiou Hao Chan, Chief Growth Officer at CRS Studio
For many Social Service Agencies (SSAs) in Singapore, the NCSS Tech-and-GO! (TNG) initiative by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), has become one of the most critical enablers of digitalisation, but also one of the most carefully scrutinised funding pathways.
Choosing the wrong solution approach or vendor can result in delayed approvals, rejected claims, or systems that fail to meet NCSS reporting and governance expectations.
But as agencies begin evaluating digital vendors, one question frequently surfaces:
“Is CRS Studio eligible for NCSS Tech-and-GO! funding?”
This guide explains vendor eligibility under Tech-and-GO!, clarifies whether SSAs can work with CRS Studio using grant funding, and highlights what agencies should know before choosing a solution partner.
Key Takeaways
Tech-and-GO! assesses SSA eligibility, not vendor eligibility.
Vendors only require pre-approval when supporting NCSS pre-scoped solution categories such as Start Digital and Stakeholder Management (DMS/VMS).
CRS Studio is eligible to support Green Lane and Bespoke digitalisation projects, including CRM, case management, dashboards, automation, and integrated donor/volunteer systems.
Complex or customised solutions fit under TNG Go Digital or TSS Part B funding.
SSAs must prepare clear requirements, Organisational Health Framework for Social Services (OHFSS) reports, and grant documentation—not the vendor.
Understanding Vendor Eligibility Under NCSS Tech-and-GO!
Before determining whether CRS can be funded through Tech-and-GO!, it’s important to understand how NCSS evaluates digital vendors.
1. Tech-and-GO! Funding Focuses on SSA Eligibility — Not Vendor Eligibility
Contrary to common misconception, vendors are not required to be “NCSS-approved” for most Tech-and-GO! projects. Instead, NCSS evaluates:
The SSA’s needs
The proposed solution’s alignment with sector outcomes
Whether the project fits within Start Digital, Go Digital, or Green Lane categories
Only the SSA submits the application. Vendors do not apply for Tech-and-GO! access.
2. Vendors Require Pre-Approval Only for Specific Pre-Scoped Categories
Vendors are only required to be pre-approved when the solution falls under NCSS-designated pre-scoped categories with whitelisted vendor lists and fixed pricing packages.
These currently include:
Start Digital packages appointed through the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Stakeholder Management solutions, including:
Donor Management Systems (DMS)
Volunteer Management Systems (VMS)
Integrated Donor–Volunteer platforms
For all other Green Lane and bespoke digitalisation projects, SSAs remain free to select their preferred digital vendor.
Is CRS Studio Eligible to Support NCSS Tech-and-GO! Projects?
Yes — CRS Studio is fully eligible to support NCSS-funded digitalisation projects across pre-scoped Stakeholder Management, Green Lane, and Bespoke Digitalisation pathways.
Because CRM, case management, programme workflows, and integrated stakeholder systems fall under different NCSS funding tracks, SSAs may engage CRS as their digital partner under the appropriate category:
Pre-Scoped Stakeholder Management (Whitelisted): Donor management, volunteer management, and integrated donor–volunteer CRM platforms
Green Lane (Vendor-Flexible): Case and client management, programme delivery workflows, dashboards, analytics, and reporting tools
Bespoke Digitalisation (TNG Go Digital / TSS Part B): Custom automation, advanced integrations, AI-enabled workflows, and purpose-built service delivery platforms
For Green Lane and bespoke projects, SSAs remain free to select their preferred specialist vendor, provided the solution aligns with NCSS categories, funding requirements, and organisational needs.
CRS Studio fits this model directly by delivering both pre-scoped stakeholder platforms and custom digital transformation systems aligned to NCSS organisational health outcomes.
Why CRS Solutions Fit NCSS Funding Requirements
CRS Studio specialises in solutions that align closely with NCSS digitalisation priorities and TSS organisational health domains.
Aligned to NCSS Digitalisation Focus Areas
CRS provides systems that strengthen:
Case management workflows
Programme enrolment & service delivery tracking
Dashboards for boards, funders, and audits
Aligned to TSS Organisational Health Domains
CRS solutions support the seven key domains evaluated under TSS:
Digitalisation
Governance
Strategy & leadership
Communications & partnerships
User-centric services
This alignment increases the likelihood of successful TNG or TSS funding approval.
When SSAs Can Engage CRS Under NCSS Funding
1. For Bespoke Digitalisation Projects (TNG Go Digital / TSS Part B)
Choose CRS if your agency needs:
Custom case management
Integrated donor + volunteer CRM
Automated workflows
Programme enrolment & outcome tracking
Multi-programme dashboards
API integrations
These projects require a vendor capable of system design—not an off-the-shelf provider.
2. For Pre-Scoped Stakeholder Management Solutions (DMS / VMS)
NCSS has designated Donor Management, Volunteer Management, and Integrated Donor–Volunteer platforms under the Stakeholder Management pre-scoped category.
These solutions must be procured from NCSS-whitelisted vendors with approved pricing packages.
CRS Studio is an NCSS-whitelisted vendor under Stakeholder Management.
SSAs may engage CRS for:
Donor management systems (DMS)
Volunteer management systems (VMS)
Integrated donor–volunteer CRM platforms
Dashboards & compliance-ready reporting
Automation for fundraising, onboarding, and follow-ups
Because these solutions are pre-scoped and pre-priced, SSAs benefit from:
Faster approval timelines
Reduced documentation complexity
Higher audit and compliance assurance
This allows agencies to implement donor and volunteer platforms quickly while remaining fully aligned with NCSS procurement and funding requirements.
When CRS Is Not Applicable Under Tech-and-GO!
CRS cannot support:
Start Digital pre-scoped packages, which must come from IMDA-appointed vendors
If an SSA specifically needs a Start Digital HRMS or accounting software, they must select from the pre-approved list.
What SSAs Must Prepare Before Engaging CRS for an NCSS-Funded Project
Working with CRS does not remove the SSA’s responsibility to submit the following:
1. Recent OHFSS Assessment
Required for many TNG and TSS applications.
2. Clear Problem Statements & Digital Gaps
CRS can assist in refining these into a project scope.
3. Vendor Proposal & Cost Breakdown
CRS provides:
Scope of work
Cost table
Deliverables
Timelines
Required resources
4. Expected Outcomes & KPIs
Often aligned with service delivery or organisational health.
Common Misconceptions About Vendor Eligibility
Misconception 1: All vendors must be pre-approved by NCSS.
Not true — only vendors supporting NCSS-designated pre-scoped categories such as Start Digital and Stakeholder Management (DMS/VMS) require whitelisting.
Misconception 2: Custom CRM systems cannot be funded.
They can—through Go Digital or TSS Part B.
Misconception 3: Vendors submit the grant application.
Only SSAs submit applications; vendors provide supporting documents.
How CRS Supports SSAs Through NCSS-Funded Digital Projects
CRS assists agencies end-to-end, including:
Mapping digital workflows
Designing customised case/donor/volunteer systems
Building dashboards aligned to NCSS reporting requirements
Preparing NCSS-ready proposals and cost breakdowns
Supporting documentation for claims and completion reports
This makes CRS a strong fit for SSAs moving beyond basic digital tools.
FAQ — CRS & NCSS Tech-and-GO! Eligibility
Does CRS need to be pre-approved by NCSS?
CRS is an NCSS-whitelisted vendor for Stakeholder Management (DMS/VMS) and can also support Green Lane and bespoke projects directly.
Can SSAs work with CRS using Tech-and-GO! funding?
Yes—CRS is eligible for all non-pre-scoped categories.
Can bespoke case management be funded?
Yes. These fall under TNG Go Digital or TSS Part B.
Does CRS provide NCSS documentation?
CRS provides proposals, cost breakdowns, and scopes to support SSA applications.
Is Salesforce supported under Tech-and-GO!?
Yes, as a bespoke or Green Lane solution. Salesforce does not need IMDA pre-approval.
Conclusion
CRS Studio is fully eligible to support NCSS-funded digitalisation projects under Tech-and-GO! and TSS—except for Start Digital pre-scoped packages.
SSAs can confidently engage CRS for case management, donor and volunteer systems, dashboards, and custom automation solutions as long as the project aligns with NCSS digitalisation goals.
By choosing a vendor experienced with SSA workflows and NCSS requirements, agencies can strengthen their organisational capabilities while maximising the funding available to them.