FCO Services - T1006 SC Security Cleared Applications Remediation Test Manager

Tender description

Summary of the work SC Cleared Test Manager to manage all testing activities required to complete compatibility testing and User Acceptance Testing on secure government platform. Specialist role Quality assurance analyst Expected Contract Length 80 days Latest start date 17 April 2017 Who Speclialist Work With You'll be working within a programme team including programme delivery, technologists and service designers. What Specialists Work On SC Cleared Test Manager to manage all testing activities required to complete compatibility testing and User Acceptance Testing on secure government platform. To manage and coordinate all testing activities required to complete compatibility and User Acceptance across Directorates and Posts. Manage defect process and triaging with suppliers and business users. Skills & Experience • Current valid SC security clearance • A degree in Electronic Engineering or Information Technology related subjects • 10 years+ as a Test Manager/Lead • Public Sector domain experience, ideally Home Office/UKVI/Consular • 5 years+ experience as an Applications Test Manager, ideally within Public Sector • 5 years+ experience of creating and implementing test strategy, ideally within Public Sector • 5 years+ experience of coordinating UAT across multiple sites on secure government platform Nice to Haves • Recent experience of Application and backend services remediation on secure government platform • Experience of FCO applications management • Experience of mentoring and supporting business users in creating appropriate UAT Work Location London and Milton Keynes Working Arrangments You'll be working within a programme team including programme delivery, technologists and service designers. This includes face-to-face meetings. Security Clearance SC Security Clearance required No. of Specialists to Evaluate 5 Cultural Fit Criteria • •Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers • •Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions • •Take responsibility for their work • •Share knowledge and experience with other team members • •Challenge the status quo • •Can work with clients with low technical expertise Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 10% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. What is the daily rate for this position? Please see "How suppliers will be selected" the evaluation weighting includes price 2. Does it involve traveling to any other sites in UK Main sites are London and Milton Keynes, there may be occasional travel elesewhere in UK 3. What is the lead time for the feedback once the application is submitted The selection will be made within the timelines already stated and certainly by 5th April 2017 4. What is the maximum number of resources whose Skills evidence and CVs could be submitted 5 5. Is this role a new requirement in addition to the FCO Services - T1003 SC Cleared Test Manager Application which looks very similar. Yes this is a seperate opportunity to T1003 6. What is the IR35 status? The potential supplier should determine their tax status, HMRC have issued a tool relating to IR35 specifically. 7. You state that it is up to the supplier to determine the tax status, but this is contradicting HMRC advice, which states that the client is responsible for determining the status (with suppliers liable for the tax if found to be inside). For example, as suppliers we are not able to answer the questions relating to working practices on the HMRC tool. FCO Services have determined that the working practices element is outside the HMRC tool aspect IR35. The wider aspects of IR35 tax liability clearly remain (as they have done for some time) the responsibility of the supplier. 8. Is there a limit of one Specialist to be put forward by each supplier? Or can we give evidence of our skills as Specialist suppliers, with up to 5 CVs of Specialists put forward? Up to 5 in total (each supplier is not limited to one) 9. In relation to the IR35 Status of this assignment you've stated "The potential supplier should determine their tax status, HMRC have issued a tool relating to IR35 specifically". However it is the public sector bodies responsibility to inform prior to commencement of the assignment. Could we have guidance on whether this falls inside or outside of the legislation? FCO Services have determined that the working practice element of this role is outside the HMRC tool (published Mar 17) aspect of IR35. The wider aspects of IR35 tax liability clearly remain (as they have done for some time) the responsibility of the supplier. 10. I have a suitable candidate who's SC clearance lapses on the 13th of April. If he is successful would the FCO be able to transfer his SC clearance before this day to keep it active? Yes, given that this clearance is currently valid.