UK SBS DDaT18078 Development of the UKRI Website: Alpha and Beta

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done UKRI brings together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England. An interim UKRI web presence www.ukri.org was launched in 2017. Alongside this are the UKRI councils’ long-standing websites, giving a total of 10 separate websites. The ‘Discovery’ phase provided us with the detailed analysis and evidence for a single consistent UKRI website that brings together all the sites. The interim UKRI site is not meeting the needs and expectations of users and stakeholders who expect a contemporary, unifying, bold website, befitting of our remit and ambition. The single overarching design would incorporate distinctly branded sub-sections for councils. Problem to Be Solved The UKRI web presence needs redeveloping to meet the needs of users, particularly to minimise dissatisfaction around the use of 10 separate websites when looking for funding opportunities. The technical platform of nine of the websites is constricting and needs to be replaced. The tenth site (Innovate UK) currently sits on the GOV.UK platform. We need to replace the existing content management system with a robust digital experience platform and a new appropriate hosting service, and migrate the Innovate UK site onto the new platform. We have not yet identified a CMS and want suppliers to propose a suitable system. Who Are the Users •As a funder I need to publish our objectives, priorities and funding opportunities so that researchers are informed. •As a funder I need to show the impact of our research so that all users are aware of the value of that research. •As a researcher I need to be informed of developments and opportunities, so I can apply for funding. •As policymakers in government, business and the third sector we need to be aware of research, so we can use it to inform policy. •As the public/media we need to know about the research and its benefits and impact. Early Market Engagement None Work Already Done We have completed an in-depth discovery phase of work, which has included identifying user needs, a technical audit of the current websites, a content ecosystem analysis, an expert UK review and design of provisional high-level sitemap. A set of proto-personas have been developed to explore the context, needs, emotions, and behaviours of the primary user role. Existing Team The UKRI web project sits in the UKRI Communication and Engagement Team and works closely with the UKRI Digital Data and Technology function. The project consists of: • UKRI Website Service Owner • UKRI Website Product Manager • Council Web Managers (Product Owners for each of the ten sites), developers and publishers The website project will also work closely with the UKRI brand project to ensure alignment in messaging, user research and design. Current Phase Alpha Work Location Much of the work should be conducted at the supplier’s own site. However, we expect the supplier to be able to work at the UKRI Swindon office (Polaris House, North Star Avenue SN2 1FL) when required and for the UKRI team to be accommodated at the supplier’s office when needed. Working Arrangments The project will follow the technology code of practice using agile methodology: daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprints, demos, retrospectives, show and tells. We expect the company to work five days a week and be available 9 to 5, to give updates and meet in line with agile working. The supplier will need to take a lead by being a role model in agile ways of working and invest time in knowledge sharing and coaching to increase the capability of the UKRI digital team. Security Clearance Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Additional T&Cs Expected contract length: Alpha – up to 6 months (covering lead in time for onboarding and content migration strategy and planning) with option to extend for the beta phase for up to an additional 12 months. Overall estimated project length is 12 to 18 months. Skills & Experience Please demonstrate your skills and expertise in the following: Delivering large-scale websites as part of a large multidisciplinary agile team as a digital agency with a full complement of roles: IA, UX, technical, build, development, designer and support. 5% Planning and managing a phased roll out of new website architecture / transition from current to future state (including migration planning). 5% Delivering websites that bring multiple sites into one web presence. 2% Conducting user research alongside analysing existing research to ensure good understanding of users and needs leading to improvements in user engagement and user satisfaction. 3% Rapid development of prototypes created iteratively via user testing - based on discovery findings to meet user needs (including assisted digital and accessible users). 2% Implementing multi-site/multi-domain publishing on a single platform which, supports photographs, video clips, other rich media as well as social media integration. 2% Providing an easy-to-use, simple interface for website content contributors to upload, edit and manage content. 2% Ability to work with internal IT teams to arrange hosting and integration with existing services. 2% Nice to Haves Please demonstrate your skills and expertise in delivering digital services which meet GDS Service Standards with the ability to pass GDS Service Assessments. 2% No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria Relevance of proposed technical solution. 10% Demonstrate an agile working environment. 5% Estimated timeframes: proposed programme for alpha and beta phases. 5% Demonstrate relevant skills and expertise of the team. 5% Relevance of identified risks and proposals for mitigating against them. 5% How the approach or solution meets user needs. 5% Cultural Fit Criteria Demonstrate your approach to engaging with internal senior stakeholders undergoing cultural change and how this will support project success. 5% Demonstrate how you will work transparently, collaboratively and share your approach with the project team and seek actionable feedback. 10% Demonstrate how you will work with clients with different levels of technical expertise throughout the project. 5% Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range the overall budget range for both phases is £250k - £350k excluding vat as per the below breakdown. £100k to 150k for alpha, exclusive of vat. we expect suppliers to cost the alpha phase based upon the work we have requested and the expected 16 to 24-week delivery time for alpha. plus £150k to £200k for the potential extension to beta, exclusive of vat. we expect suppliers at this early stage to suggest a timeframe for beta and costings.