Architecture Service Call -Off Contract for DVSA

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done DVSA needs Architecture Services to support its multi-year Digital Transformation Programme for modernising technology, services and processes. The call off contract will be for a period of 12 months with an option for a 12 months extension. The service is for the provision of a cohesive Architecture Strategy, Governance and Assurance Service, on call-off, to provide vision, impartial guidance and direction to DVSA. The function will also contribute to the Enteprise Achitecture to strengthen DVSAs control over it's digital ecosystem. DVSA will require knowledge transfer to its internal architecture function and mentoring services to facilitate handover and maintain business continuity. Problem to Be Solved Current agile development processes; management level products and current review processes for DVSA digital projects; financial control of multi-threaded large digital products; supplier to assist the agency's relationship with DfT and Central Government and understand the strategic objectives of the agency and how these are supported via digital transformation. Supplier to set up and define the project as well as to execute the projects. Strengthen Enterprise Architecture and Solution Architecture within the DVSA. Responsible for the creation and maintenance of a solution architecture capability to provide a function that promotes the creation of user-focussed, value for money, and business-aligned solutions. Who Are the Users Supplier, from time to time, will need to work with Department Heads, DVSA Programme Delivery Executive, Architecture Group (which this service will be supplementing), Financial and Corporate Services, DS&T Communications, DVSA third party digital suppliers, OGDs (Other Government Departments), (this list is not exhaustive). Early Market Engagement There has been no early market engagement. Work Already Done Not applicable Existing Team DVSA have in place a number of digital development teams working on a range of different projects and business as usual activities using Agile methodology. The teams are mainly provided by Digital Partners who work with Client side technical specialists as integrated teams. Current Phase Not applicable Work Location The work will take place in DVSA offices in Nottingham, Bristol, Swansea, Birmingham. Working Arrangments The resources who deliver the services will be integrated into the existing and future teams and working location, time and expenses will be set as part of the call-off order. Security Clearance DBS - BPSS with Basic Disclosure (issued by Disclosure & Barring Service) Additional T&Cs Skills & Experience Have demonstrable experience of supplying an Architecture service to the Public Sector within a complex mix of Portfolio and Business as Usual activity. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing a digital architecture service to a multi-vendor landscape. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of contributing to a standardisation of architectural outputs (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying multi-discipline, multi-specialist architectural service, including conforming to architectural frameworks, such as TOGAF. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing architects with experience in multiple disciplines, focusing on development, e.g. CICD, DevOps, SDLC, automated pipelines, Java, JavaScript, Microservices, Ionic, Node.js and React. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing solution architects with experience of implementations involving immutable architecture and serverless computing.(1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing an architecture service working closely and being embedded within largescale Agile development/delivery teams, including, Business Analysts, Developers, QA/Testing Leads and Architects (Business/Enterprise/Security/Solutions/Technical/Infrastructure) (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service to a complex stakeholder environment, including senior stakeholder management and ensuring proper architecture governance structure/artefacts for digital transformation initiatives (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing leadership in an architecture service (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying a leading, guiding and influencing architecture service capable of taking ownership and decision making (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service able to enforce best practice design processes. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service able to develop various architectures (application; integration; data; technology and security); models; associated policies, practices and roadmaps consistent with best practice (1%) Demonstrable experience of Architecture delivery based on agile frameworks and methodologies, such as scrum and Kanban (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service with in-depth experience of AWS technologies, such as EC2, Lambda, Route 53, SQS, RDS, Elasticache and Cognito. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of provision of an architecture service working on a public cloud, including AWS and Microsoft Azure/365. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing architects with a strong security understanding and secure Government environments. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of providing architects familiar with managing and leading programme governance. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying technical assurance and low-level support to corporate architecture functions. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service with in-depth experience of data centre and application migrations. (1%) Have demonstrable experience of supplying an architecture service with in-depth experience of infrastructure technologies, including but not limited to MS, AD, ADFS, AirWatch and Cisco networking. (1%) Nice to Haves Demonstrate experience of working in a shared service/consultancy environment (1%) Have experience of working with shared responsibility models (1%) Have experience of Business Continuity on cloud platforms (1%) Have experience of operating in a mixed estate hybrid cloud environment (1%) Demonstrate experience of working on medium - large size projects (1%) Able to provide resources with professional Cloud certification, specifically AWS or Microsoft Azure certifications (1%) Demonstrate experience of analysing technical risks, and identifying mitigations to risks when migrating from legacy platforms to new target architectures (1%) Have demonstrable experience of enterprise policies and standards (1%) Demonstrate experience of integrating with client teams (1%) Have experience of enterprise data modelling(1%) Experience of the impact of GDPR and Data Protection Law on digital architecture (1%) No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Explain your overall Architecture Approach and Delivery Methodology. (5%) Describe how will you ensure that DVSA is supplied with high quality and appropriately skilled architects, whilst minimising DVSA's effort in screening the proposed team (2%) Explain how you plan to retain key resources for the duration of the contract and how you can commit to meet DVSA's continuous need for architecture services. (3%) Provide a range of CV’s to demonstrate the typical resource quality that will be provided to meet the requirements. (7%) Provide up to three referenceable client-focussed case studies where your organisation has provided the desired service capability. (4%) Describe your approach to adding, replacing and rotating new team members, within a 2 week notice period, without reducing delivery team’s velocity. (2%) Describe how you intend to measure and manage quality and speed of the architecture team and individuals to ensure continuous improvement. (2%) Give examples of KPIs and SLAs that you would be prepared to commit to for this contract, including ability to provide high calibre substitutes/replacements within 2 weeks. (2%) How the proposal will optimise costs, and generate savings. Demonstrate how discounts will be linked to volume and duration. (2%) Cultural Fit Criteria Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions Have a no-blame culture and encourage people to learn from their mistakes Take responsibility for their work Share knowledge and experience with other team members Challenge the status quo Be comfortable standing up for their discipline Can work with clients with low technical expertise Payment Approach Time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range forecast budget up to £3 million per year. the budget is based on the current portfolio and business as usual requirements for the coming year with a similar figure forecast for the following year. budget approvals are in place. the range of rates which dvsa expects to pay is £550 - £950 per day depending on the particular discipline. price submissions should be provided on a rate card which covers all the disciplines identified in the published opportunity. price evaluation will use the total of day rates shown on the rate card and scores awarded by calculation.