Discovery Phase – National Chargepoint Registry (NCR) 2.0

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The NCR is a database of publicly-available chargepoints for electric vehicles in the UK established in 2011. The database is freely open for those who wish to use the database, either by individual data users (e.g. electric vehicle drivers) or by business data users for their products (e.g. mapping smartphone apps, satellite navigation and route planning). The NCR management contract expires 30 April 2018 and OLEV requires the discovery of what the NCR users (current and future) needs, how best can these needs be met, and so determine whether to re-procure the NCR contract in its present or different form. Problem to Be Solved OLEV’s policy objective, for the NCR, is to support electric vehicle uptake and address a perceived lack of chargepoint infrastructure by highlighting the presence of chargepoints across the UK. The NCR does not currently hold data on all the UK’s publicly-available chargepoints as network operators are not fully providing data. However, new legislative measures (The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations 2017 and the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill) will require full data provision. The problem is how to best meet OLEV’s policy objective (as stated above) through effective working with data providers and users in complying with the legislative measures. Who Are the Users Discovery will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to assess their needs: • Data providers (usually chargepoint hosts or network operators) who need to be able to provide chargepoint data to the NCR (or otherwise); and • Data users (individuals or businesses) who need to be able to download chargepoint information from the NCR (or otherwise) in a standard format. We want to assess the best methods to facilitate these needs. Additionally, we want to assess whether there is a need to provide a website to allow user access to chargepoint information from the NCR with a map interface. Early Market Engagement An NCR Stakeholder Event was held in December 2017, engaging both data providers and users in separate sessions. Invitations were sent using direct contact and mailing lists and the event was promoted through Twitter and the NCR website with an online sign-up for the wider public. Following introductions to the background and purpose, 8 key questions were posed and an online audience participation tool was used to collect views. After the event, further input was invited through an online survey posing the same questions and the results of both the direct engagement and the survey were compiled into a final report. The event was supported and overseen by OLEV to ensure impartiality, and attracted approximately 50 delegates over the two sessions. Feedback on the day confirmed that the event was useful, even-handed and constructive. The benefit of having a single and definitive repository of information on public charge points was widely accepted, and some known issues with the current NCR in relation to accuracy, extent of coverage and integration with existing systems were identified as key weaknesses that need to be addressed. A full report with event details and a transcription of all responses can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dDV-TLpcLaIeJ9bN-V0eiMSypWmJsX_onVB416JDOvA/edit?usp=sharing . Work Already Done The NCR currently comprises of two components: • A database (where the chargepoint information is held) [https://data.gov.uk/dataset/national-charge-point-registry]; and • A website [http://national-charge-point-registry.uk/] (including a map interface) that accesses the database. Current regulations and legislation, in Parliament, for provision of user information on chargepoint infrastructure: • consultation & response to the earlier proposed transposition of European Union Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID) (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/562371/alternative-fuels-infrastructure-directive-consultation.pdf) [sections 1.65-1.68, particularly 1.67, on User Information] • Regulations at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/897/contents/made • Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill (AEVB) (https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2017-2019/0082/18082.pdf) in place of the Modern Transport Bill [Part 2 section 11 on Information for users of public charging points] Existing Team The supplier will be working with the OLEV colleagues at Department for Transport in London. The team will be: • Deputy Head of OLEV as Product Owner; • Head of Infrastructure Team as Senior Responsible Owner; and • Member of Infrastructure Team as Service Manager. Current Phase Not started Work Location Primarily at supplier’s own offices and, when necessary, at the Department for Transport’s office in Great Minster House,33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR for meetings. Also it is envisaged that visits to users at their work locations will be required to see how they work in the real world. Working Arrangments The supplier is expected to engage closely with OLEV and external stakeholders (e.g. other HMG stakeholders, IT Security, internal Developers) on a frequent basis to fully meet the requirements. This is a full-time, 5 days a week arrangement based at supplier’s own offices and at DfT’s office to produce the relevant supporting documentation and develop the solution and product proposals. There are no expenses allowances associated with this work. Any ad-hoc or overseas expenses will require prior approval from DfT and will be treated on a case-by-case basis in compliance with DfT Expenses policy (available at full-proposal-stage). Security Clearance Preference is that supplier’s staff already have current Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. Additional T&Cs N/A Skills & Experience Demonstrable evidence of excellent planning, communication and project management skills Demonstrable evidence of co-ordination and allocation of project resources Demonstrable evidence of risk identification and mitigations Demonstrable experience of quality assurance of project delivery Demonstrable evidence of conducting and documenting user research, and iterating project work accordingly Demonstrable evidence of working in an Agile way Nice to Haves Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of the plug-in vehicle industry including charging infrastructure challenges and strategies No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Approach and methodology (weighting 10%) Estimated timeframes for the work in the form of a Project Plan (weighting 10%) Team structure for this project in the form of a Resource Allocation Plan (weighting 10%) How risks and dependencies have been identified and approaches offered to manage them in the form of a Risk Register (weighting 10%) How the proposed solution meets user needs (weighting 10%) How the proposed solution meets OLEV’s policy objective (weighting 10%) Cultural Fit Criteria Experience of individuals successfully working with diverse stakeholders (such as Government Digital Service [GDS]), our organisation and/or other public/private sector customers (weighting 5%) Experience of successfully working as a team with diverse stakeholders (such as GDS), our organisation and/or other public/private sector customers (weighting 5%) Evidence of strategic thinking striving to deliver best possible solution/concept possible (weighting 10%) Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range capped at £60,000