Software package and information systems

Tender description

To implement one or more preferred tool options to address our user needs for finding and matching external reviewers to funding proposals which are submitted to UKRI. We are looking for tools which can be integrated into a wider funding system, are easy to use, and can be customised to meet any potential future finding and matching requirements. Objectives: (a) finding tool: to enable the identification of new expert reviewers who might initially be unknown to UKRI to assess a relevant grant application, through external means i.e. the tool must be able to identify relevant key criteria (e.g. key words) within an application’s text, and then search external data services for relevant reviewers depending on the identified criteria. It would be advantageous if the tool will be able to return suggested reviewers which cover the breadth of UKRI’s applications i.e. individuals in industry as well as academia, as well as STEM and non-STEM reviewers. (b) matching tool: the tool must be able to identify relevant key criteria (e.g. key words) within an application’s text and then search within a predefined list of reviewers to find the individuals with the most suitable expertise for reviewing that application. The tool must be able to do this for one application, and for a large group of applications simultaneously. In addition, it would be an advantage if the tool could also carry out text analytics/matching to identify resubmissions, plagiarism, sub-optimal application quality, scope of application vs scope of funding opportunity and sub-optimal review quality. Note: we are looking for tools which can perform either (a) or (b), or a combination of both. Also note that the databases from which data will be drawn from will evolve and are not static. Summary of what you are looking to achieve from the sessions 1) Understand current tools available for the above objectives within the market; 2) Understand any innovations/other functionality within this space to achieve the above objectives; 3) Estimate the cost of the ‘off the shelf’ tools to inform future spend/procurement; 4) Understand the technical integration feasibility of these types of tools with our funding system; 5) Understand how current suppliers comply with GDPR requirements/regulations; 6) Identification of any unfeasible requirements, or any new requirements. Overall this will inform the suggested options for Reviewer Finding and Matching within UKRI. — our budget is estimated as being up to GBP 120 000 per year — we are looking for a 2 + 1 term contract – this will be structured as an initial 2 year term with an option to extend for a further 12 months. Rough timeline for when the tender is due to launch is Financial year 20/21: Quarter 4 – However this date is subject to change. The supplier day sessions will be held via Zoom on Monday 28 September 2020 Two sessions on the same day: • One for Finding tools • One for Matching tools. If any suppliers are able to fulfil both requirements, we encourage them to attend both sessions Proposed agenda: (a) welcome and introductions (UKRI) (b) purpose and project overview (UKRI) (c) high-level requirements (UKRI) (d) outline of procurement process (UKSBS) (e) market products and capabilities (supplier perspective) (f) markets products and licensing models (supplier perspective) (g) market products and pricing models (supplier perspective) (h) market products and support models (supplier perspective) (i) Q&A (All) (j) next steps (UKRI) (k) AOB (All). There will be follow up questions to all suppliers after the supplier day. If you could please register your interest in attending by emailing myself at DDaTprocurement@uksbs.co.uk by no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday 23rd September detailing your organisation's name and representatives of who will be attending on the day. When emailing if you could please reference in the subject ‘DDaT20116 — Supplier Day’. Upon registration you will be sent through a zoom code for attending the day. If you have any questions regarding the requirement or just in general please email me on DDaTprocurement@uksbs.co.uk by 14 p.m. on Monday 21 September 2020. Please note that if you access the supplier day information on contracts finder then there is a high level requirements document which will provide further information for readiness on the supplier day.