SC18016 - Market Consultation opportunity for the development of an online interactive tool, which uses open data to map future growth and infrastructure projects in Kent and Medway, to be known as the Digital Growth and Infrastructure Framework (Digi-GIF).

Tender description

Kent County Council (KCC) is intending to commission a supplier to develop and maintain an online interactive tool, which uses open data to map future growth and infrastructure projects in Kent and Medway, to be known as the Digital Growth and Infrastructure Framework (Digi-GIF). KCC’s Strategic Planning and Infrastructure (SPI) team manage the development and update of the published Kent and Medway Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF). The GIF researches, analyses and provides a picture of emerging development and infrastructure requirements, to support growth across Kent and Medway, up to 2031. Currently, this framework is a static PDF document that has been released in 2015 and 2018 (see attached link). The SPI team leads on driving and responding to future growth across the County, including strategic planning applications and local plans. The new ‘Digi-GIF’ project aims to be an open data mapping platform to share the data behind the current GIF to make it live, open and accessible. KCC is hoping to go live with the Digi-GIF in November/December 2019. The Digi-GIF online data platform will need to provide a single website that will pull together all the data that underpins the GIF, as well as being flexible enough to add and develop new content. In summary, the Digi-GIF aims to: (1) provide a single hub that will bring together the data that underpins the GIF, in particular (a) displaying current planned infrastructure projects, alongside theoretically modelled infrastructure, required to account for planned growth up to 2031, and (b) displaying the cost and funding for these projects; (2) provide a greater range of stakeholders with access to relevant data and information; (3) create an online central resource, which will provide internal teams and external stakeholders with a focal point to access data; (4) provide an interactive layout that is externally accessible, rather than a static PDF document, with sections that can be downloaded and with the ability for data specifically relevant to the user to be displayed; (5) provide an online platform that displays the relevant information for the particular audience and that clearly conveys the messages relating to growth and infrastructure in relation to the intentions of the GIF being used as a platform of engagement; and (6) provide an online platform that is capable of readily updating narrative/commentary around specific sections or topics as new information becomes available. Examples of similar solutions include: (1) the Greater London Authority’s London Infrastructure Map; (2) the Greater Manchester Open Data Infrastructure Map (GMODIN); and (3) the Kent Shape Atlas (see attached links). A draft specification for the required solution is also attached to this advert. The data that is involved for the product is owned and held by KCC. These are mainly large project lists of planned projects across the County to 2031. From there, the data is analysed, and information will be available for each project point (on a map) on it’s cost and if the money is secured or expected. It is KCC’s expectation that the Digi-GIF solution will sit on top of a separate Geographic Information System (GIS); for example, KCC currently has a supply contract for Esri’s ArcGIS mapping and analytics platform. KCC wishes to consult with suppliers that have the capability to build and support the required Digi-GIF solution to understand: (1) what solutions are currently available, or are currently being developed, and how this compares with KCC’s draft specification (where possible, KCC would like for the supplier to demonstrate the functionality of existing solutions); (2) indicative timescales and resources required for the development of the required solution; and (3) indicative project costs. If your organisation is interested in participating in the consultation exercise, please register your interest in this opportunity. Organisations that express an interest in this opportunity will be invited to an online webinar (via Skype for Business) where KCC will provide further information on its vision for the Digi-GIF project, and the data that is involved. KCC will consult with organisations that express an interest on a one to one basis to gather the required information. Information gathered from this market consultation exercise will be used to develop KCC’s business case to commission supplier(s) to develop the Digi-GIF, as well as develop KCC’s specification for the required solution. The webinar will take place on Monday 20 August 2018 from 14:00-15:30. Keywords: Software development, Mapping, Online interactive tool, Online mapping platform