User Interface Specialist

Tender description

Summary of the work User Interfaces - a partner for design and build supporting the effective use of our software by a wide range of clinicians, administrators, scientists and researchers. Expected Contract Length 12 months Latest start date Tuesday 2 January 2018 Budget Range £300,000 - £1,500,000 We envisage the team being between 3 and 10 people. Why the Work is Being Done Genomics England manages the 100,000 Genomes Project. The project ends next year and is transitioning into a service for routine genomic testing in the NHS, as well as supporting research on the data collected. The new focus provides several opportunities for new and improved user interfaces to support the effective use of our software by a wide range of clinicians, administrators, scientists and researchers. We are looking for a supplier to work on the design of user interfaces, which will range from straightforward to complex. The new interfaces will need to be delivered between April and October 2018. Problem to Be Solved Genomic data is large and complex and presents significant computing challenges. Our software provides world-leading automated analysis, data curation and genetic knowledge management, which is accessed primarily through APIs by workflow software. We now need to make more of this functionality available through browser-based interfaces and design and build new end-user services to support more standardised processes for managing genomic test requests and return of results. Projects include: - Test Request Service - Test Directory Service - Single sign on portal - Management information service - Research environment airlock - OpenCGA catalog - OpenCGA variant browser Who Are the Users Users of the interfaces will include: - Genomics England - NHS England - NHS Trusts - Suppliers - Researchers (academic and commercial) As noted elsewhere there will be a set of initial projects but other projects will follow. Some projects will need design skills as other partners will have the responsibility for development, while others will need the UIs to be developed and integrated. The genomics environment is challenging but very rewarding as Genomics England is working on leading edge technologies that have the potential to enable a new level of personalised healthcare. Priorities may change quickly. Early Market Engagement We have not carried out any early market engagement. Work Already Done Some of the projects described above already have user interfaces, which need improving. Others will need developing from scratch. Existing Team Some of this work has been done in-house to date by our bioinformatics team. Other elements have been carried out by a team at University Hospital Birmingham. The successful provider will need to work with both teams. Current Phase Beta Skills & Experience • Experience of engaging with end users to capture what works and what doesn't • Ability to start work immediately • Experience of providing public bodies with advice on user interfaces • Experience of advising NHS bodies on user interfaces • Evidence that the proposed team has worked together on similar assignments • Experience of reviewing interfaces and making recommendations to clients • Evidence of producing a design from a set of general requirements • Experience of implementing user interfaces in a live system Work Location While meetings will take place in London (Genomics England) and Birmingham (University Hospital Birmingham), the development work can be carried out by the supplier at its own location. Working Arrangments For each project we envisage a discrete team (which may include the same people) with a kick off meeting and weekly stand ups. There will be an overarching meeting with senior leadership on a monthly basis. Security Clearance Not required. Additional T&Cs Standard terms and conditions will apply. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • Quality of the approach and methodology • Quality and experience of proposed team • Team structure • Flexibility in dealing with changing requirements • Description of risks and dependencies that apply to work of this nature • Value for money based on day rates and willingness to fix fees once sufficient information is known • Understanding of the requirements Cultural Fit Criteria • Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers • Be transparent and colloborative when making decisions • Take responsibility for their work • Share knowledge and experience with other team members • Be comfortable challenging the status quo • Be able to work with users, particularly clinicians, with low technical expertise • Be capable of working to demainding time limits. Payment Approach Capped time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 10% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. Could you please clarify the latest start date as this is currently specified as being the 2nd January? We want to kick off this work very shortly after we have signed a contract with the successful supplier. As responses are now due by 17 Jan a realistic start date will be early February at the latest. 2. Can you please expand on 'Experience of implementing user interfaces in a live system'? Are you referring to software development? Yes, experience is required in terms of (a) the design process for UI, working with stakeholders to articulate requirements and translating into a user friendly interface(b) software development to build, test and implement the design from (a)(c) Client testimonies for (a) and (b), preferably but not exclusively in the health sector. 3. Within the team of 3-10 will the requirement be just UI design or do you expect a broader suite of skills such as service designers, graphic designers and user researchers? The requirement is for the broader suite of skills. Specifically:(a) the design process for UI, working with stakeholders to articulate requirements and translating into a user friendly interface(b) software development to build, test and implement the design from (a)(c) Client testimonies for (a) and (b), preferably but not exclusively in the health sector. 4. Are you expecting suppliers to submit commercials on 17th? Or will the commercial proposal follow as a later part of the process? We are expecting commercials on 17th. 5. Please could you provide more information on the Genomics England team and their partners. Will development and build work be completed in collaboration with an existing front-end team? Genomics England works with a range of external suppliers and health bodies across the NHS. The successful bidder will be working with both the in-house team and these external suppliers and health bodies. Requirements are in the process of being defined for the front end design which will drive whether it involves a collaborative approach with an existing partner or is a discrete deliverable. The likelihood is that this will be a stand-alone assignment. 6. Are there any specific technical stacks that suppliers will be expected to work with? Suppliers will be expected to be familiar with the various relevant technologies appropriate for UI development in a health sector setting. 7. Please give examples of some of the UI design and build challenges that the supplier will be faced with that are unusual and derive from the nature of genomics? This will help us identify specific skills and experience we may have which would be on interest. Suppliers should highlight how they have supported clients in articulating requirements and translating these into a design, for novel and innovative user interfaces. Examples from the health sector and genomics would be relevant but Genomics England is interested in evidence from a range of sectors. Suppliers can consult the Library & Resources section of the Genomics England website which has a range of material setting out the priorities and processes for the services to be supported by a UI.