Oxford-Cambridge Arc Data Observatory (Joint Digital Evidence Base) Discovery

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done MHCLG need to establish which information in key evidence base documents to prioritise and standardise. The Discovery will need to explore best practise, existing tools and standards that are in use across the Arc and further afield (i.e. nationally/internationally). This will determine whether existing approaches can be scaled or where a new approach would add value (i.e. Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Councils have produced an open data portal). This will contribute to ensuring the joint digital evidence base can aid the Spatial Framework and that any new evidence base information that is commissioned during its development, will have a set of common data standards to conform to. Through establishing standardised digital formats, the information will move from documents to data, and will become interoperable. This will enable us to have a strategic overview across the Arc and for greater collaboration between Local Planning Authorities. Several evidence-base documents relating to Local Planning Authorities in the Arc have already been commissioned and published. These documents contain information that has been collated in different ways and expressed in different forms. This makes it hard to form a coherent overview across the Arc and even harder to keep up-to-date or share with other bodies. Problem to Be Solved - Identify the key datasets produced as part of the Local Plan evidence base documents (at the local planning authority level and the higher spatial framework level); - Identify potential users for the data sets being produced; - Identify whether there are standard outputs in key evidence base documents which have already been commissioned and published by local planning authorities; - Identify data sets from other parties (i.e. Environment, Transport) that will need to be analysed and included; - Prioritise data sets based on user needs; - Consider both the existing evidence base we already have, and the future evidence base work Government would commission for the spatial framework. Who Are the Users The Data Observatory will cater for local partners, stakeholders and is envisaged to hold all necessary data to monitor, evaluate and reach decisions across the Arc. As a local planning officer and local council partner (i.e. transport providers), I want all information stored as linked data in one place and relate to my local or neighbouring planning authority. Access to standardised data will make it easier to inform cross-boundary strategic planning and analyse potential opportunities/constraints with neighbouring authorities. As a decision-making stakeholder (i.e. infrastructure provider or housing developer) I want any data required to make a decision to have the most recent, reliable information to provide evidence for any investment decisions. As a local politician, planning decisions should be informed by a robust evidence base. If a decision was challenged, I would draw upon resources that were easy to find and to support decision-making. As a government planning officer, I would need local evidence base documents to understand the cumulative impact of development, and be able to advise Ministers on strategic investments and decision-making. As a resident in the planning process, I want information that is accessible, easy to understand and up-to-date, so communities can engage with local plan-making consultations. Early Market Engagement Not applicable. Work Already Done The Digital Land team within MHCLG, have run various projects into Local Plans, Brownfield sites and Developer Contributions which has set data standards, created prototypes and made data easier to find, understand, use and trust. The work completed to date on these projects and their lessons learnt can be taken forward into the Discovery stage of exploring the opportunities of a shared digital evidence base. (https://digital-land.github.io/project/) Existing Team Suppliers will collaborate with the OxCam team and Digital Land Team (https://digital-land.github.io/about/) in MHCLG. Suppliers will also need to collaborate with other suppliers working on projects that align with this work. Our current teams have user researchers, content, service and interaction design capability. We also have policy specialists, business analysts and developers. The supplier team should include a User Researcher, Service Designer and Product Manager. Not all roles need to be full-time. Current Phase Discovery Work Location We expect the successful supplier to work regularly with MHCLG in 2 Marsham Street, London, W1P 4DF (or virtually given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic). A bi-weekly update meeting will be held at 2 Marsham Street or virtually. MHCLG will not fund travel within London but will fund necessary travel outside of London. Working Arrangments Given the current COVID-19 climate, we would expect the supplier to work remotely but keep in close contact with the existing team. Any changes on these circumstances will be agreed with the supplier. We expect the supplier to work in line with the Digital Land team mission, values and ways of working (https://digital-land.github.io/about/). We are a digital team who work openly and use agile methodology. We will induct the supplier on team specific practises and on the overarching hypotheses and vision we work to as a team. Security Clearance BPSS clearance will be required to access MHCLG's ICT systems. Additional T&Cs All materials/outputs derived from the contract shall be the property of MHCLG. Any GDPR requirements shall be discussed and agreed with the preferred supplier at the appropriate time. Skills & Experience Have experience of delivering discoveries in line within the Government Service Manual (7%) Have experience of recruiting users for research (3%) Have experience of delivering user-centred solutions to problems (7%) Have experience of digital planning (3%) Nice to Haves Demonstrate experience of working with Local Government (2.5%) Demonstrate experience of solving problems involving data for local authorities (2.5%) No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Understanding of user needs (4%) Approach and methodology (4%) Team structure (4%) Estimated time frames for the work (4%) Technical solution (4%) Cultural Fit Criteria Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions (5%) Challenge the status quo (5%) Care deeply about users (5%) Share knowledge and experience with other organisations (5%) Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Case study Work history Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 45% Cultural fit 20% Price 35% Questions from Suppliers No questions have been answered yet Budget range the contract is expected to have a budget in the region of £60,000 to £80,000 (excluding vat).