Development of a digital travel diary for the National Travel Survey - Discovery Phase

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The main component of the National Travel Survey is a one week travel diary completed annually by around 16,000 participants by pen and paper. This method has numerous disadvantages including respondent fatigue and inaccurate recording. The NTS team wants to explore digital methods for completing the diary which could passively and accurately record travel patterns, with the aim to reduce respondent burden and increase data quality. However further understanding is needed about user needs (both survey participants and data users) and what practical, accessibility and attitudinal issues there might be to using a digital diary. Problem to Be Solved Research questions: • What is the current participant experience like completing a paper-diary? • What barriers would there be to making a digital-diary practical and accessible for participants? • What would participant attitudes be to completing a digital-diary compared to a paper-diary? • What are key NTS data users and stakeholders views of potentially switching to a digital-diary? • What issues do organisations which already collect live travel data digitally face &what lessons can NTS learn? NTS sample purpose-to represent the England population, covering wide variety in user demographics. When answering these questions all survey participant types should be considered. Who Are the Users Survey participants: People who have previously completed the survey, and therefore know what it’s like to use the pen and paper diary, will be the research subjects. Data users: DfT and OGDs use NTS data to inform their evidence base for transport planning and policy initiatives. There are also many external organisations which use NTS data. Discovery would seek data user views on the potential methodology change. NatCen: The contractors currently conducting the survey. They will need to assist with identifying survey respondents for Discovery. Survey Interviewers: Interviewers knowledge and experience conducting the survey will be valuable for this project. Early Market Engagement No Early Market engagement carried out Bidders as part of the 2nd stage evaluation we require CVs of relevant Team members and Presentations ( if required) Work Already Done A trial in 2011 gave participants a GPS device to carry around with them to track their travel patterns. The device successfully collected accurate information on trip times, speeds, distances and routes, however there was additional information that it could not collect and would require input from users. Such information includes the purpose of the trip, mode of transport used, number of people travelling and the cost of the trip. Any eventual solution would also need to be able to collect this data and with minimum burden to participants. Existing Team The appointed agency will be expected to work closely with members of the NTS team, which consists of 4 statisticians, and possibly some work with the NTS contractors NatCen. Current Phase Discovery Work Location The majority of the work will be conducted at the suppliers own site (or other chosen location). Conducting of user research will require travel around England. Working Arrangments Suppliers to provide preferred approach. The exact milestones will be agreed with the supplier when appointed. Weekly status updates (email/telephone) detailing achievements of key milestones and issues that may impact timescales and cost should be provided. It is expected that the research questions should be fully answered in a final presentation and report. Discovery should be completed in line with the GDS Service Manual: https://www.gov.uk/service-manual. Security Clearance Baseline clearance Additional T&Cs N/A Skills & Experience • Experience of delivering a discovery phase in line with GDS guidelines for a government department • Proven experience conducting and documenting user research with a diverse mix of users, iterating project work accordingly • Demonstrable experience where delivering successful Discovery outcomes assisted to support and shape system developments • Have demonstrable experience of complex technical investigation to inform future project stage • Proven track record of delivering projects at speed using an agile project management methodology with clearly identified deliverables and timescales • Demonstrable evidence of using clear development methodologies, outlining how this would work in conjunction with a client’s internal development team • Experience of drawing up recommendations and options for alpha/beta on IT and data projects • Experience in conducting stakeholder analysis where knowledge gaps were identified and plans implemented to address the shortfall. Nice to Haves • Demonstrable evidence where innovative solutions have been applied to assist in project delivery • Demonstrable evidence of successfully managing and assisting in delivering IT projects within public sector organisations. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 6 Proposal Criteria • Identify the approach and methodology to the Discovery project planning and delivery, identifying the main stages and activities proposed at each stage. (20%) • Detailed resource plan – demonstrating how in-house, supplier and external resource will be used and at what stage (10%) • How the approach or solution meets user needs (20%) • How they’ve identified risks and dependencies and offered approaches to manage them (10%) • Estimated timeframes for the work (5%) • Demonstrate value for money (5%) Cultural Fit Criteria • Experience of working as a team with our organisation and other suppliers (2.5%) • Experience of transparent and collaborative decision making (2.5%) • Experience of taking responsibility for their work and resolving problems effectively (2.5%) • Experience of sharing approach, knowledge and skills with other team members and with the department by example (2.5%) Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 70% Cultural fit 10% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range £20k-£50k