Mobile Alerting - Discovery

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done We wish to explore the capability of Communications Providers (CPS) in particular the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver messages to citizens 'mobile' phones within a prescribed geographical area in Britain. This constitutes an "alerting" or "notification" scheme. We Wish to explore an "opt-out" scheme whereby messages will be "pushed" to phones. We envisage the scheme to be potentially used for non-specific major incidents that start with little or no notice. Looking forward, this work could form part of a significant programme. This work package is to be completed during the early part of Spring 2018. Problem to Be Solved We seek independent insight as to: what resource each of the four MNOs might need to apply in terms of new equipment and capabilities to deliver an alerting service; technical options for sending messages to customers (we are aware of at least two); constraints on messaging capabilities and ability of the recipient to authenticate the sender; estimate of time from the MNOs receiving the message and target area from the police to 'phones receiving the message; trends in mobile technology relevant to messaging and citizens preferences relating to using phones for interacting and anything else you regard as relevant. Who Are the Users The police are likely to originate the content of a message and identify a target geographical area for delivery. The message Will be sent securely to the MNO's. On receipt, the MNOs will send the message to their customers in the target area. It is intended that citizens receiving the message will act in a way to reduce overall harm and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the response to the incident. We are conscious that the message will be potentially received on all customer phones. Early Market Engagement Early market engagement did not result in broadening the requirements. Work Already Done The Civil Contingencies Secretariat in Cabinet Office conducted trials of an alerting scheme in 2013. A report is available via the link under heading in the left-hand menu "4 Evaluating the trails' here: https:/www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-alerting-trials-for-public-emergencies/ public-emergency-alerts-mobile-alerting-trials#evaluating-the-trials. We are conscious that the technical and commercial landscapes have undergone a lot of recent change. Existing Team Dr Nigel Brown will lead engagement between the single supplier selected to undertake the work and Ben Platt will provide a coordination role on behalf of the Cabinet Office. Current Phase Discovery Work Location Cabinet Office, Civil Contingencies Secretariat, 35 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ. Working Arrangments We feel that our requirement is best met in two stages. Stage 2 is to be contingent on the first Stage. Stage I: Insights gained from existing experience within the selected supplier. A face-to-face presentation of the initial insights will help to inform the next stage and decision as to whether to proceed. Stage 2: engagement, as appropriate, with the four MNOs and other appropriate suppliers of network equipment and services . We anticipate timely engagement with the client during the entire programme leading to a final succinct report. We envisage this work to be fixed-price and include expenses. Security Clearance Inessential for this phase. Additional T&Cs Skills & Experience Demonstrate understanding of the UK telecommunications technical landscape Demonstrate understanding of the UK telecommunications commercial landscape Demonstrate understanding of the difference between "opt-in" and "opt-out" alerting schemes Demonstrate understanding that a scheme needs to be capable of evolving and insight into future trends Demonstrate understanding of capabilities and trends of mobile 'phones e.g. can a hibernated device be turned on remotely display capabilities Nice to Haves Demonstrate appreciation of societal communication preferences on mobile ‘phones Ability to think outside the conventional compartmentalised approach Appreciate the "bigger picture" in which an alerting scheme may fit Appreciate how cost-savings and efficiency and effectiveness gains could be made in delivering "emergency response" capabilities No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Clear and logical approach Identification of the key issues Appreciation of the tight timescale Specific expertise delivered by named individuals Value for money Cultural Fit Criteria Proactive Be constructive in seeking "win-win" outcomes with the "supply-side" aspirations Be able to clearly identify where there is gap between government and "supply-side" aspirations Be alert and sensitive to government's wider relations with the "supply-side" Provide robust challenge without being adversarial Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method Written proposal Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range we anticipate the work to be contained within a 100k budget.