CySAFA Options Analysis / User Stories Capture support

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The Cyber Delivery Team are delivering a Big Data Architecture (Cyber Situational Awareness Fusion Architecture - CySAFA) as part of Defensive Cyber Services (DCS) within accelerated timescales; constantly evolving the capability throughout the contract duration. SME(s) are required to support the Cyber Delivery Team (CDT) for the DCS project to ensure DCS continues to evolve at pace. CySAFA will require a new competition for the next contract. SME assistance is required to assist with producing tender documentation and supporting the CDT through the decision-making process. Problem to Be Solved Big Data Architectures are new to the MOD; we do not currently have the technical expertise to allow us to develop robust technical user stories that are feasible within Big Data Technologies and that are compatible with Agile methodologies. The Product Owners need support in prioritising the User Stories for the product backlog. There is a need to conduct technology reviews and deep dives into poorly defined areas (e.g. IdAM and threat hunting). Technical Specifications will need to be reviewed to advise on the most feasible architectures for CySAFA (fixed and deployed) going forward. Who Are the Users Ministry of Defence Early Market Engagement Work Already Done Gathering of Use Cases to enable prioritisation prior to phase commencement. Technical expertise provided to aid with the development of technical requirements for previous phases. Provision of SME advice in big data and associated technologies, data schemas and cyber tooling technologies Existing Team The existing team consists of Architecture Leads, Project Managers and Technical Support Staff. Current Phase Discovery Work Location MOD Corsham Working Arrangments There is a requirement for expertise at MOD Corsham and occasionally at Reading. No expenses will be paid for work at Corsham, T&S will be paid in accordance with MOD policy for work at Reading. Security Clearance SC Clearance must be in place prior to the contract starting due to the projects the team are required to work with. Additional T&Cs IR 35 does not apply to this requirement. Skills & Experience • A proven track record of technical experience in Big Data Architectures (Hadoop) and Complex integrated systems. 20% • A proven track record of technical experience in Open Architectures, Frameworks, Protocols and Standards and Deployed Capabilities. 20% • Previous experience of working on cyber defence projects. 15% • A proven track record of technical experience in Data Volumes, Voracity and Flow and Big Data Technologies – no SQL. 12.5% • Experience of delivering User Stories and Systems Engineering in an Agile (Scrum) framework. 7.5% Nice to Haves • Experience of Test & Evaluation Techniques. 5% • Familiarity with ARK Datacentres / Crown Hosting facilities 5% • Have ability to evaluate information and present in such a way that is easily understood by the target audience, including through written and oral communication. 5% • Have ability to own issues and drive them to resolution. Provide direction to inform sound decisions based on business priority and technical feasibility. 5% • Have ability to think creatively and can articulate innovative ideas to solving complex business and IT problems. 5% No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Documented evidence of essential skills • Documented proposed technical solution • Documented proposed approach and methodology • Clear and concise evidence limited to 6 pages plus CV’s. • Detailed resources plan • Estimated timeframes for the work • Confirmation of existing clearances • Show experience of working in a range of project delivery environments, with targets set and reviewed on a weekly basis Cultural Fit Criteria • Experience working with Ministry of Defence IT systems, networks, and end user devices (MODNet, DII, CirtNet, RLI, SLI, Deployed systems). 2% • Have excellent interpersonal and influencing skills and a positive approach. 2% • Have the people skills to work with senior stakeholders to secure access to people in their working environment. 2% • Easy daily access to MOD Corsham site (for team meetings and during implementation/testing phase). 2% • Values and behaviours in line with MOD core values. 2% Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 10% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers Budget range up to a maximum of £200k inclusive of all t&s costs.