RM1043/CCT765 - Next Generation Communication Networks - Technical Staff

Tender description

Summary of the work Align programme with others and agree strategy. Develop papers supporting vision and direction for NGCN. Plan and conduct requirements capture and analysis with JFC Cap. Develop COEIA. Draft procurement strategy. Assess technical implications of lessons identified. Technical input, including Technology Demonstrators, BC, and procurement of Delivery Partner. Monthly reports. Expected Contract Length 12 Months Latest start date Tuesday 1 October 2019 Budget Range The budget for the initial 12 month period of this requirement is £0.365M (Ex VAT). Option periods are pending financial approval. Why the Work is Being Done Technical resource is required to support Next Generation Communications Network Programme Initiation. This programme is required to maintain the Defence fixed network capability. Problem to Be Solved NGCN Programme Team are under-resourced and technical resource is needed to make progress on pre-Concept phase and Concept phase activities. Who Are the Users NGCN Team are charged with procuring WAN, LAN, Gateway and associated capabilities to replace the DFTS contract with BT and the Global Connectivity (GC) contract with Fujitsu. A small team is in place to initiate Concept Phase it's anticipated the team will grow, with the intention to procure a delivery partner asap. In parallel, it is intended to undertake Concept Phase activities using a mixed team. Concept Phase will include various activities; undertaking Programme Initiation activities; Capturing and Analysing Requirements; undertaking Discovery activities; managing Technical Demonstrator Projects; submitting an Initial Gate submission in Sep 20 for a Dec 20 IAC. Existing Team ISS Develop>Networks>Next Generation Communication Network Team Current Phase Discovery Skills & Experience • Familiarity with full spectrum of MODs current FTC including DNS & IP, Cyber, P2P and Gateways and familiarity with key ICT, Software Defined Architecture - 30% • Experience working with Defence customers,understand how ICT integrates with military operational posture, experience of ICT programmes, processes, systems/services,- 25% • Experience of Concept Phase work, technical studies, technology demonstrators. Experience of working with Approvals and Scrutiny organisations and familiarity with IAC Approvals process and submissions - 25% • Experience delivering public sector ICT change projects/programmes, Communications, Stakeholder Management and Strategic Advice. APMP, Project and Programme Governance - 10% • Demonstrate how the supplier has experience of working on Above Secret Projects or Programmes.- 5% • Familiarity with working across Government and with senior Stakeholders - 5% • Demonstrate compliance with the controls required for a Cyber Risk Profile assessed as "Low" - THIS IS A PASS/FAIL. Reference No: RAR-A42AG7BS Nice to Haves Familiarity with MODs Fixed Estate in UK/overseas - 100% Work Location MOD Corsham, SN13 9NR Working Arrangments Full time - 5 days a week Security Clearance SC and DV Additional T&Cs Option period - 11 Months (pending financial approval) No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • Provide resource by Oct 2019 with suitable technical knowledge/experience to support the NGCN Pre-Concept and Concept phases (estimated submission Sept 20 for IAC Dec 20), evaluation against SQEP - 40% • The resource will work with the NGCN team to successfully meet initial gate. Key activities include: conduct requirements capture, Stakeholder identification, provide technical input. Evaluation against experience/suggested approach - 40% • The resource will be part of a team of crown servants, Public Sector Resource and an anticipated Delivery Partner (subject to approval/competition) - Evaluation against experience/suggested approach - 20% Cultural Fit Criteria • The ability to work in an uncertain environment, working to develop strategies and propose policy where none exists -30% • The ability to work in a diverse team and embrace a 'one team' ethos, having a no-blame culture and encouraging others - 25% • The ability to work collegiately; working towards common or shared objectives with different capability and value for money - 25% • Able to operate at a senior level and work transparently and collaboratively with different stakeholders - 20% Payment Approach Time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers 1. 1. Information provided by the buyer how to demonstrate compliance with the controls required for a Cyber Risk profile assessed as "Low" (as required in the Technical Evaluation criteria) Compliance is demonstrated by completing a Supplier Assurance questionnaire online, using the Supplier Cyber Protection Service (https://supplier-cyber-protection.service.gov.uk/). When completing the questionnaire you will need to enter the ref: "RAR-A42AG7BS" onto the website to ensure that you are assessed against the correct requirement. 2. Can you confirm the IR35 status and are there any incumbents in the role? The requirement is outside of IR35 and there are no incumbents in this role 3. Can the Authority provide any further guidance on the anticipated number of personnel required in support of the NGCN Team? This DOS requirement is for outcomes and hence it is not appropriate to suggest a particular number of personnel. Given the maximum contract value of £0.365M ex VAT, bidders should be able to estimate the scale of resources anticipated. It is not necessarily expected that the resources utilised to deliver these outcomes will all be full-time on NGCN programme, although regular attendance at MOD Corsham by key individuals is intended 4. Can the Authority expand on the meaning of FTC in the context of the requirement for "Familiarity with full spectrum of MODs current FTC including DNS & IP, Cyber, P2P and Gateways FTC stands for "Fixed Telecommunications Capabilities" 5. Please can you confirm you have provided the correct RAR code as we are receiving the following error when using RAR-A42AG7BS"Reference must be for a published, non-sample RA and should not be for a Not Applicable Cyber Risk Profile. Moderate/High Cyber Risk Profiles require enhanced access – contact us to request.RAR-A42AG7BS" CORRECTION: Due to difficulties with the Cyber Risk Assessment Reference given within the advert, a new reference has been generated. The "Low" profile rating remains applicable and completion is still a mandatory requirement.The revised reference to be completed is: RAR-BWUS74QW 6. Following the recent republication of the opportunity, please can you confirm the contract budget is now £0.365M (Ex VAT) for 12 months, instead of 23. As stated in the advert: "The budget for the initial 12 month period of this requirement is £0.365M (Ex VAT)." 7. Can you please confirm the value of this opportunity? The budget for the initial 12 month period of this requirement is £0.365M (Ex VAT), this is however a not to exceed maximum figure. 8. RAR-A42AG7BS is not recognised as a valid SAQ reference (nor was the previous reference listed on this opportunity). The error message is as follows: Reference must be for a published, non-sample RA and should not be for a Not Applicable Cyber Risk Profile. Moderate/High Cyber Risk Profiles require enhanced access – contact us to request.What is the correct way to meet this requirement as the opportunity details seem to be wrong. CORRECTION: Due to difficulties with the Cyber Risk Assessment Reference given within the advert, a new reference has been generated. The "Low" profile rating remains applicable and completion is still a mandatory requirement.The revised reference to be completed is: RAR-BWUS74QW 9. The RAR code of RAR-A42AG7BS is returning an error message. Can you please advise that this RAR has been published and is does not relate to a "Not Applicable Cyber Risk Profile CORRECTION: Due to difficulties with the Cyber Risk Assessment Reference given within the advert, a new reference has been generated. The "Low" profile rating remains applicable and completion is still a mandatory requirement.The revised reference to be completed is: RAR-BWUS74QW