When establishing a regulatory sandbox, a well-structured program timeline promotes transparency and accountability, enables administrative efficiency, and improves opportunity for stakeholder engagement. The following is a list of key milestones to guide development of a sandbox calendar.
| Milestone | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Identify Advisory Group | After the sandbox framework is finalized, identify a group of advisory group members from a range of organizations and with expertise in innovation, technology, and other relevant areas. Hold quarterly public Working Group meetings to shape program design, solicit stakeholder input, make real-time adjustments, and share lessons learned |
| Call a Pitchfest (Annually) | Hold annual Pitchfests as dynamic, public-facing events for innovators to present pilot concepts and exchange ideas. Pitchfests promote cross-innovator collaboration and create a platform for receiving early feedback. |
| Sandbox Initiation and Call for Applications (Approximately every 18 months) | Announce and initiate sandbox, release application materials, disseminate information (e.g., host an informational webinar), and provide technical assistance for applicants. |
| Application Window | Hold an open application window, during which potential project participants can submit application materials and receive technical assistance. Conduct outreach to a diverse range of potential participants. Sandboxes may also use a continuous program proposal submission process. |
| Application Review Period and Project Selection | Convene the advisory council/review panel and evaluate submissions using defined selection criteria (some sandboxes, for example the DC Pilot Project Fund, have a strictly outlined, multi-level selection process to ensure rigorous review and standardized criteria). |
| Pilot Finalization | Provide expedited commission review in line with the established framework (i.e. on an expedited basis, or pilots may move forward unless the commission takes alternative action). Allow selected project participants to finalize project plans in collaboration with non-decisional commission staff and the advisory group. |
| Pilot Initiation and Implementation (Approximately 18 months) | Support project participants in initiating their projects. |
| Interim Reporting (Quarterly, or every six months) | Track project progress using interim project reports. See Sample reporting templates and key metrics for success for more information on current reporting templates and key reporting elements. |
| End-of-Project Evaluation (Within 3 months of completion) | Conduct an end-of-project evaluation, using project final reports, to inform scaling decisions and explore lessons learned. |
| Scaling Decisions and Implementation | Utilities make a recommendation on whether projects should be scaled more broadly, and if so, what modifications are appropriate. With input from the advisory council, regulators may act on scaling proposals, including any necessary modifications. If scaling, plan and execute larger project deployment. |
Sandbox administrators may also choose to host supplementary events, such as innovation symposiums or public showcases, at any point in the program timeline to highlight ongoing or completed pilots, promote collaboration, and invite new ideas or feedback.