THEMIS SOA Framework implementation and DevOps pipeline development

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done Home Office that is seeking to replace an intelligence capability that is vital to the UK Law Enforcement Community. Operations are currently conducted using large monolithic solutions for the management, storage and analysis of intelligence.​ One of these is nearing end of supportable life. The replacement capability will be developed using a multi-vendor supply chain that delivers greater speed of change and reduced operating cost. The purpose of this requirement is to deliver the enabling framework that enables integration and interaction between applications as well as establishing and operating a DevOps pipeline that will support the introduction of new capabilities. Problem to Be Solved As part of establishing a new service based on a modular and extensible Service Oriented Architecture, the customer is seeking a modular framework platform that delivers mediation and performance management between replaceable applications and supporting services. The framework is critical to ensuring that standardised services are exploited across the system as well as providing key data that supports performance management in a multi-vendor environment. The framework is envisaged to be built from technology that minimises licensing costs and utilises industry standard interfaces by default. Who Are the Users The THEMIS Service Owner Group represent the Law Enforcement Organisations that are the operational users of the service. The supplier will work closely with the THEMIS Product Owner who has responsibility for managing and coordinating delivery. The users require a collaborative approach to the development of THEMIS, leveraging the skills and expertise of suppliers in the design and incremental delivery of the THEMIS solution. Early Market Engagement Work Already Done The project has delivered an initial THEMIS architecture model that articulates the key elements of the THEMIS system as well as some key architecture principles informed by a proof of concept. Significant user engagement across all stakeholder organisations has taken place that has helped to define the user facing services at varying degrees of detail. The findings have been captured as user stories, non-functional requirements and specific information packs. Approaches to transition, governance, sustainment and acquisition have been developed in collaboration with operational users, including an outline delivery roadmap that considers commercial and technical dependencies and project deadlines. Existing Team The Authority is currently supported by a D&A function who are developing the THEMIS architecture, solution design and roadmap. The role of the D&A Function supplier may be competed within the next six months. Should this occur, the delivery of the D&A function and the provision of the framework services will be subject to exclusion. This means that the supplier of the framework services will not be considered to provide support to the design and architecture function. Bidders should take this into account when deciding whether or not to bid for framework services supplier role via this DOS3 opportunity. Current Phase Not applicable Work Location The work will take place in proximity to Home Office (2 Marsham Street) in London. Work may be required at other locations nationally from time to time. Working Arrangments We expect team(s) to reflect the roles and capabilities listed in the Essential Skills section. Only core team member(s), e.g. Architects, will typically be expected to be on site at least 3 days/ week, although this will depend on the nature and volume of work being delivered through the contract duration. Solution development may take place remotely from the defined location. Suppliers are required to participate in collaborative planning involving the wider THEMIS supply chain for each delivery increment/timebox. Integration and testing will require the successful supplier to coordinate activities with other THEMIS suppliers. Security Clearance SC level clearance is required for core Supplier staff working under the proposed contract. There is potential for staff without SC clearance to partake in the development of components of THEMIS where agreed with the Authority. Additional T&Cs 1. The successful Framework Supplier will not be considered in future competitions to resource the THEMIS D&A function. 2. Unless agreed, Home Office will retain ownership of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) created during the contract. 3. Travel and Expenses will not be paid within the M25. 4. Key Supplier staff included in proposals will be expected to work on the contract. 5. Home Office reserves the right to agree fixed price Statements of Work where considered prudent; the Supplier shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement to such requests made by the Home Office. 6. Sub-contracting is permitted. Skills & Experience Demonstrate experience of successful agile/iterative delivery and deployment into live service. Demonstrate experience of architecting SOA-based frameworks. Demonstrate experience of delivering and sustaining SOA-based frameworks. Demonstrate expertise in Open Source technologies. Demonstrate expertise in API gateway, mediation and business process engine technologies. Demonstrate expertise in DevOps and CI/CD pipeline management. Demonstrate experience in environment management, automated testing, and release management. Demonstrate experience of coordinating successful agile development across multiple supplier teams to provide an integrated solution. Provide evidence of the ability to provide a core team of SC-cleared resources to mobilise quickly and scale-up/down as required. Demonstrate experience in testing and performance monitoring and capacity management of software components. Nice to Haves Demonstrate experience of working in a challenging, complex and regulated environment. Provide evidence of Law Enforcement domain expertise. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Approach and Methodology Value for Money Ability to plan and anticipate for risks and provide potential mitigations Team structure and composition (including CVs, technical skills, and core staff) Cultural Fit Criteria Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers Have a no-blame culture and encourage people to learn from their mistakes Share knowledge and experience with other team members Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions Payment Approach Time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Reference Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers Budget range £4m-£6m