DevOps for digital apprenticeship service (SFADAS09)

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done BIS and the SFA are delivering a new digital apprenticeship service. The service vision is “Empowering employers to build skills through quality apprenticeships”. Currently apprenticeship funding is allocated and paid directly to training providers. Therefore employers will take control of government funding for apprenticeships. The policy intent is to drive up the quality and quantity of apprenticeships. We have completed a number of discovery and alpha stages for some components the service. The first strand will go live in August 2016. The services being procured are expected to deliver the remaining strands of work by April 2017. Problem to Be Solved Often employers don't know they have the option to choose from a range of providers, or that government will fund training for their apprentices. Employers need to be able to: 1) hire apprentices; 2) choose the right type of training for their apprentices; 3) find a suitable training provider; 4) understand what funding is available, including the apprenticeship levy, where that applies to them; and 5) manage their training costs. Who Are the Users 1) As a citizen I need to improve my employment prospects so that I can start a career and earn money. 2) As an employer I need to employ an apprentice so I can improve the skills of my workforce, and get support for my business. 3) As a training provider for apprenticeships I need to ensure employers choose my services so my business is viable. 4) As SFA I need to manage levy payment and funding to training providers and ensure growth in apprenticeships for the benefit of the economy. Early Market Engagement Work Already Done We have completed a series of discovery and alpha phases for the various strands of work within the service. Two strands of work are currently in the beta phase. Existing Team The supplier will be working with civil servants and multiple suppliers across various strands of work for delivery of the service. Current Phase Beta Work Location Skills Funding Agency, Cheylesmore House, 5 Quinton Road, Coventry CV1 2WT, with occasional travel to other locations nationwide. Working Arrangments Onsite full-time 5 days a week co-located with the rest of the team at the SFA offices in Coventry. Occasional travel to other BIS or SFA (or partner organisation) offices may be required, subject to SFA travel and subsistence policy. This programme is being delivered using agile methodologies. Successful application of agile principles and techniques requires that the teams are co-located and able to work directly with colleagues representing digital delivery, operational and policy requirements. Security Clearance The successful supplier must be able to demonstrate that all proposed team members have been subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standards checks as set out in the SFA Baseline Security Policy 2014. Additional T&Cs Standard DOS framework and call-off terms and conditions. Day rates should be inclusive of any costs of travelling to and working from the base location. The cost of travel to other locations while performing SFA work will be covered as per the SFA travel and subsistence policy and will need to be invoiced by the supplier with supporting receipts. Skills & Experience Minimum 3 years experience of the Microsoft Azure Platform and interactions using the GUI and API Minimum 3 years experience deploying cloud based applications and services Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of software development, configuration and integration tooling and practices Minimum 3 years experience supporting enterprise level business critical applications Minimum 3 years experience writing PowerShell scripts Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working within an Agile environment Minimum 3 years experience of hands on Windows Server 2012/14 administration with Active Directory, ADFS, Domain Controllers and WSUS Able to coach and mentor junior members of the DevOps team Demonstrable commercial experience of Desired State Configuration (DSC) in the Microsoft Azure platform Nice to Haves Demonstrable experience of container based deployment tools for example Docker Experience with Microsoft SQL Server and T-SQL .NET C# development experience Experience of developing in a LINUX based environment No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 4 Proposal Criteria Demonstrate the suppliers experience and knowledge of the Azure public cloud platform Demonstrate the supplier’s experience and knowledge of deploying cloud based applications and services Provide examples of how the supplier has used software development, configuration and integration tooling and practices Demonstrate the supplier’s knowledge of supporting business critical applications Demonstrate the supplier’s capability of producing automated builds using PowerShell scripts and DSC Demonstrate how the supplier has worked in a multi-team Agile environment Cultural Fit Criteria Demonstrate commitment to excellence and improvement, for example through seeking actionable feedback, setting targets etc. Show a commitment to ensuring a team understands the user need over simply delivering work Transparent and collaborative when making decisions and recommendations Have a no-blame culture and encourage people to learn from their mistakes Demonstrate courage (for example, express controversial views, confront reality, make tough decisions, question actions inconsistent with group behaviours, candid about progress/estimates) Demonstrate vulnerability (for example, declare uncertainty, fear, recognise mistakes, apologise, acknowledge weaknesses) Demonstrate responsibility (for example, act like a leader, serve your team, provide solutions to problems, engage in external/internal environments, seek the best for the organisation beyond your team) Demonstrate simplicity (for example, take simple steps to goals, do less but better, mitigate failures, talk straight with respect) Demonstrate excellence (for example, seek actionable feedback, set challenging targets, know users, deliver cost effective high level customer satisfaction) Demonstrate enthusiasm (for example, bring whole self to work, celebrate success, share passion and energy with others, optimistic) Payment Approach Time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Work history Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range