PROVISION OF A DATA ANALYTICS CAPABILITY (DAC) MANAGED SERVICE (DInfoCom/0019)

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done The Management Information Branch (MIB) is the Army HQ's centre of specialism in the production and management of Business Intelligence (BI) and Management Information (MI) to the 3* and 4* areas. The Data Analytics Capability is key in meeting the growing need for Data Exploitation for beacon projects and change programmes, utilising new data sets, data quality tools and modelling techniques to meet the demand for the production and delivery of high end MI and BI enabling evidence based decision making. Problem to Be Solved Provide personnel, in the form of a managed service that has skills to operate large data sets integrated from multiple sources to provide single authoritative data sets which enables interrogation, comparison and exploitation, through reports, models and dashboards. The service will be required to provide support in maintaining existing services whilst developing new requirements directed by MIB. Who Are the Users There are over 770 SAS software users, these are split into 3 types: Specialist users trained with skills in data wrangling and mining to produce data analysis using predictive, forecasting, modelling and statistical techniques. Self Service users, creating and producing their own reports and dashboards under the guidance and support of MIB. Consumers of reports and dashboards through a single sign on mechanism through MODNET used to answer day-to-day questions with more than a 1000 reports being run monthly. Early Market Engagement Work Already Done The current service uses the SAS and OBIEE Software Suite of tools providing the appropriate number of trained and skilled resources to meet specific requirements as directed by MIB. The service is provided between the hours of 08:00 and 17:30 Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Existing Team There is one service provider team currently working within MIB, which flexes between 4 and 6 analysts dependant on the skills required to deliver the outputs. This service works closely with a very small mixed team of civilian and military personnel, but interacts with customers across the Army. Current Phase Live Work Location Army Headquarters is located on the outskirts of Andover in Hampshire, SP11 8HJ Working Arrangments Provide a managed service consisting of personnel to support the Army HQ Data Analytical Capability as directed by the MIB. Work must be completed working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders consisting of civilian and military personnel and other suppliers and consultancy providers. The Authority expects the resources to work in Army HQ Andover with occasional site visits in the UK (South). Remote working is permitted by exception, subject to security constraints and the need to access stakeholders and MoD systems. Security Clearance Security clearance (SC) will be required for the duration of the requirement. Incumbents are to follow both the letter and spirit of Army Headquarters security regulations. Additional T&Cs DEFCON 5J (Edn 18/11/16) Unique Identifiers; DEFCON 76 (Edn 12/06) Contractors on-site; DEFCON 129J (Edn 18/11/16) Electronic business Delivery Form; DEFCON 516 (Edn 04/12) Equality; DEFCON 518 (Edn 02/17) Transfer; DEFCON 520 (Edn 02/17) Corrupt gifts/payments of commission; DEFCON 522 (Edn 11/17) Payment and Recovery of Sums Due; DEFCON 531 (Edn 11/14) Disclosure of Information; DEFCON 532B (Edn 02/17) Protection of Personal Data; DEFCON 534 (Edn 06/17) Subcontracting and Prompt Payment; DEFCON 550 (Edn 02/14) - Child Labour and Employment Law; DEFCON 566 (Edn 10/16) Change of control contractor; DEFCON 642 (Edn 06/14) Progress meetings; DEFCON 658 (Edn 10/17) Cyber Skills & Experience Have a track record of successfully implementing and using the existing DAC Software Suite of Tools which includes Power BI, OBIEE and SAS Ensure that all provided personnel are suitably skilled and experienced to assist the authority; and trained for the roles in which they are employed against the SFIA framework Knowledge, experience and demonstrable ability with the SAS suite of tools, Data Integration, Enterprise Guide, Data Mining, Visual Analytics, Data Flux and Operational Research Provide suitably trained staff with skills in data management, data analysis using predictive, forecasting, modelling, statistical and operational Research techniques Provide documentation to support the Authoritys needs, demonstrating business rules, processes and standardisation across the MI and BI providing the Authority with transparency Provide documentation to support all transformation of data and report specifications in line with the authority's requirement Deliver management information and/or reports related to the managed service provided Provide a training service as required to ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills to the authority Experience in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, together with experience in graphical design and visualisation of MI to produce one-off visualisations and regular presentation packs for use at senior Board Levels. Provide suitable skilled staff with experience/knowledge of Data Quality, governance process using Data Flux, assist with improving data quality and provide evidence of Data Quality issues using agreed reporting method Function in accordance with the authoritys priorities and deadlines Experience of Platform Administration on both Windows and Linux (tasks include creating groups and applying security using ACTs and ACEs in metadata) and preferably hold SAS Platform Administration 9 certification. Ensure the environment is patched as required to maintain stability and security requirements with the latest Hot Fixes. Ensure auditing and efficiency improvements are identified and acted upon and act as 2nd line support for any security, application or configuration issues. Nice to Haves Data science and machine learning experience and skills to extract insight from information for "big data" initiatives No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Evidence against skills and cultural fit Ability to flex up and down resources, whilst ensuring quality and consistent delivery Provide CVs and relevant experience of core team who could be part of this service Provide approach for transition of current service, running and knowledge transfer Ability to mobilise the team quickly and the approach to service continuity Identification of the risks and dependencies associated with this requirement and potential mitigation Give examples of KPIs and SLAs that you would be prepared to commit to for this contract Provide an exit plan for the transition to an alternative supplier at the end of the contract and enable the transition Cultural Fit Criteria Has a no-blame culture and encourages people to learn from their mistakes, working as "one team" Will ensure that transfer of knowledge, skills and experience is transferred to the authority during the period of the contract Supplier must demonstrate an ability and willingness to work collabortively Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 10% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers Budget range