OR-0002 - Data architecture, analysis and modelling Research & Innovation Funding Service

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done Grants funding is a significant activity of government with over 1,000 different grant schemes, including RIFS, administered across government. RIFS represents a wider ambition across government to consider how grants funding can be consolidated across fewer platforms than currently. RIFS presents an opportunity to look at how research and innovation grants funding can be transformed in its design and execution as a user centred end-to-end service. This service aims to address pain points currently experienced by users, transforming the entire user experience. Grants funding for users should be easy and accessible, reflecting the excellent reputation of UK research. Problem to Be Solved The Research and Innovation Funding Service (RIFS) brings together two previously separate strands of work that support grants funding for research (UK Research Councils) and innovation (Innovate UK). The aim is to create digital services that support the entire grant funding process from idea generation to impact reporting. The supplier will provide the capability to analyse and model the data requirement, as well as designing the data architecture that will support RIFS. They will also provide the data team with leadership and direction. The service is currently in beta phase production, and we anticipate a public beta in Spring 2017. Who Are the Users As a funder I need to be able to advertise an opportunity to research organisations and businesses so they can apply for funding to undertake research in priority areas. As a research organisation/business, I need to be able submit applications for research or innovation funding (respectively) so that I can respond to requests to undertake research in priority areas that have the potential to benefit the UK economy. As an assessor/peer reviewer I need to be able to review grant applications and collaborate with other reviewers, so that an application’s suitability for funding can be assessed and granted (or refused). Early Market Engagement RIFS has been in motion for several months. The incumbent data architecture and analysis suppliers have made significant progress in articulating the data requirements at both high and more granular levels. There is a good understanding of the requirements but there is a continued requirement for a supplier to provide both strategic direction and day-to-day expertise to ensure that RIFS continues to fully understand how data is used, how it meets user needs and how it can be leveraged to exploit its full potential. Work Already Done The two previously separate services that constitute RIFS – Research grants and Innovation grants – have both passed their Digital By Default Alpha service assessments and the unified programme is now in Beta production. As mentioned above, significant work has been undertaken on the programme to understand and articulate the data requirement. Ongoing work is required to ensure that this continues and delivers a service that maximises the potential of its data. Existing Team The Research and Innovation Funding Service team, specifically the Product Owner, Delivery Manager, Data team, Business Analysts and Infrastructure architect. The RIFS data team will comprise both public servants and contractors. Current Phase Beta Work Location The primary site is Polaris House, Swindon SN2 1UH. However, there is a secondary site at Department for Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy HQ at 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET. There may be a requirement for the team or specific team members to attend this site at the direction of the Programme Director. Travel expenses will be paid where incurred for travel to the secondary site in London. The assumption is that this is a Swindon based project with occasional work in London. Working Arrangments Monday to Friday on site, locations as described above. A professional working day, hours and working pattern as needed to deliver the service in an efficient way as agreed by the Programme Director. Requests to work from home will be considered at the discretion of the Programme Director. Security Clearance Animal Rights and SC Clearance Additional T&Cs Skills & Experience Have proven experience delivering professional data expertise specifically in data architecture design, analysis and modelling that underpin successful digital services (Scores 10%) Extensive working knowledge and experience in Government digital transformation programmes with actual experience helping to deliver/develop Government digital services that comply with GDS principles/digital-by-default service standard (Scores8%) Proven track record of helping organisations to successfully migrate data from legacy systems to new services. (Scores 5%) Substantial experience of providing solutions that assure and secure the integrity of data including data of a sensitive nature. (Scores 5%) Have proven experience of agile working environments as part of a multidisciplinary team (Scores 5%) Have experience of delivering business change and service improvement through excellent service design (Scores 5%) Excellent stakeholder management skills that consistently ensures that data architecture design fully meets their expectations and need (Scores 5%) Nice to Haves Knowledge and experience of Government grant funding, including working on a project or service that delivers government grants funding (Scores 2%) No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Proposed approach and methodology (Scores 10%) Proposed team structure (including CVs of key members) (Scores 5%) Value for money justification (Scores 5%) Similar contract examples, case studies, references (Scores 5%) Cultural Fit Criteria Demonstrate flexibility (e.g. the ability to shift tasks to meet changing priorities) (Scores 2%) Demonstrate responsibility (e.g. 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) (Scores 2%) Demonstrate simplicity (e.g. take simple steps to goals, do less but better, mitigate failures, talk straight with respect) (Scores 2%) Demonstrate excellence (e.g. seek actionable feedback, set challenging targets, know users, deliver cost effective high level customer satisfaction) (Scores 2%) Demonstrate enthusiasm (e.g. bring whole self to work, celebrate success, share passion and energy with others, optimistic) (Scores 2%) Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Reference Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 70% Cultural fit 10% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range expectation is that day rates for this work will be in the range of £600 - £850