Android App to run an offline library against substances, local and in real time

Tender description

Summary of the work The authority requires an android application to be developed to allow chemical compounds to be entered for query against a local database. this will identify immediate and potential hazards locally and allow for export of a report to a remote site. Expected Contract Length 3 months to deliver by end of march 2021 Latest start date Saturday 4 January 2020 Budget Range Bidders to supply quotes Why the Work is Being Done The application will primarily be used by non scientific personnel to determine the immediate threat to individuals based upon substances that are present. This will reduce the threat to individuals and identify if the substances are hazardous or require specialist PPE. In addition to the safety of the personnel in the vicinity of the substances, having an application containing an offline library will allow them to understand if the potential combined result of a number of the substances could have been used to manufacture/ produce a resulting compound that could be hazardous to the personnel in the near vicinity, but also to inform relevant authorities if it is believed a hazardous compound has been developed. for Problem to Be Solved Scientific Subject Matter Expert's cannot be in multiple places simultaneously and it often tales time or communication to get an assessment of chemical compounds to determine hazard to personnel or wider threat. Who Are the Users DSTL Scientists need to be able to: -deploy users to sites where there may be hazardous chemicals -give non scientific users the ability to easily identify chemicals/ substances based on appearance/ labels/ names -create/ modify a database to ne held on a android platform for a user to query against. -give non scientific users the ability to determine if there is a threat/ need for PPE and what that threat is (eg corrosive/ flammable) -give non scientific users the ability to determine if the chemicals/ substances present could have been used to manufacture/ mix into a different hazardous substance -give non scientific users an (as near real time as possible) indication of what the potential threat could be, how that decision was reached and what the confidence level is -give the user the ability (where possible) to export the data via a mobile phone standard messaging to the scientific SME for confirmation Early Market Engagement There are some applications available open source. these require an internet connection and/ or a subscription. The library behind the applications/ website are suitable but the need for online connectivity is not, DSTL cannot add its own fields to these open source applications/ websites (both from an individual compound and potential resulting compound) Existing Team The team will consist of: Scientific Subject Matter Expert Technical Authority Project Manager End User Representative End User Current Phase Discovery Skills & Experience • Confirm that the application will run on multiple android handsets • Confirm that the application can be password protected • confirm that the application data can be encrypted inside a secure container/ folder • confirm that the application can have a 'kill' function to delete all data • confirm that the application requires no external connectivity • confirm that a query can be exported as a file including; input substance, resulting substance, confidence scoring, picture, position • confirm that the handset screen can be used for all data entry • confirm that all fields in the data base will present in the compound entry box using predictive text from the local database (if present) • confirm that the application will allow a user to take a photograph with the handset and attach it to a entry • confirm that the application will allow the user to attach the GNSS position to an entry if desired • confirm that the local database can be updated using removable media • confirm that the size of the database and the number of queries should be limited by nothing other than the device memory • confirm that the database will allow for a single substance to have multiple identifiers/ names/ symbols • confirm that the database allows for weighting for each record to allow certain calculations to be scored higher if critical chemical is present • Confirm each database record should allow for the following: Name, Alias (link to other record), Chemical Symbol, CAS Registry Number, Safety Considerations, PPE/ Handling requirements • Confirm each database record should allow for the following; known applications/ industries, likely places to be found, weighting, composition (if a resultant of other compounds) • Confirm that the application will display all possible products that could be produced in order of likelihood/ confidence • Confirm that the application will apply a RAG status to all possible outputs to show the user the level of confidence of each • Confirm that the application will allow the user to apply filters to the results • Confirm that the results file 'export' can be sent using standard communications on the device (email/ whatsapp etc) Nice to Haves • Confirm that the device camera can be used to capture imagery of a label and use OCR to input a chemical name/ compound into the application • Confirm that the application will interface to the ATAK application • Confirm that the application will have a 'discreet' mode to reduce the light emissions from the EUD • Confirm that the application can be hidden from the main user screen (if required) • Confirm that a user manual will be provided with the application • Confirm that a logfile is kept on the device showing all queries and results • confirm that they will present their soulution in a written proposal Work Location Work can be carried out remotely at the suppliers premesis but the supplier will need to attend meetings and workshops at DSTL Porton Down and potentially another site in the West Mindlands Working Arrangments The Supplier will work with the existing scientific research team at DSTL Porton Down which is based primarily in Lichfield. Some on-site meetings and workshops will be required at DSTL Porton Down and possibly a further site in the West Midlands, but remote working will be the standard. Travel & Subsistence will not be paid for as part of the contract Security Clearance Staff with access to project information must have a minimum of NSV MOD Security Clearance (SC) checks. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 10 Proposal Criteria • technical solution • approach and methodology • how the approach or solution meets user needs • estimated timeframes for the work • how they’ve identified risks and dependencies and offered approaches to manage them Cultural Fit Criteria • work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers • Be able to work with a mixed team of Military, MOD Civil Service and contractor personnel • Display values and behaviours in line with MOD core values • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method • Case study • Work history • Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 65% Cultural fit 10% Price 25% Questions from Suppliers 1. Q: What is the earliest start date for this opportunity? A: The latest start date is currently published as Saturday 4 January 2020. this should read Monday January 4th, 2021 2. Q: What is the budget for the project? A: As the authority has not contracted this aspect/ scope of work previously the budget expectation is unknown, therefore competitive quotes are encouraged from bidders 3. Q: Is the bidder expected to provide the chemical database or will it be GFX from DSTL? A: The authority can GFX a small subset of the required database for development and testing purposes on the project, with the intent of adding further entries to all aspects of the database post project completion.In addition the bidder should include a costed option to supply a full chemical compound database. The bidder should detail the source of the chemical database in their proposal 4. Q: A key requirement is that SC will be required for the individuals engaged on the project. Will DSTL/MoD sponsor this SC, or will the chosen supplier need to already have this in place? A: Due to the timelines on this aspect of the project it is required that the developers will hold existing SC clearances. in addition current COVID manpower restrictions are adding to vetting timelines. 5. Q: Please could you give an indication as to the size of the budget available to allow us to scope options for the authority A: As the authority has not contracted this aspect/ scope of work previously the budget expectation is unknown, therefore competitive quotes are encouraged from bidders 6. Q: Does the application need to be a native app or can it be a hybrid app? A: the app can be native or hybrid. The application cannot depend on any data connections off the mobile platform. The application must have access to the device applications and be intuitive to use. 7. Q: You mention that open source applications have already been reviewed, have you ruled out further developing those applications to suit your specific needs? Also are the developers of those open source applications expected to apply for this project? A: further development of current commercially available applications is not excluded. It is unknown if the developers of these capabilities are on the digital marketplace or if they would bid for the work package. The authority will not release the applications previously utilised. 8. Q: The Essential Skills questions appear to be specific system requirements, some of these are so specific that it will be difficult to answer without simply stating that we would ensure the system satisfies the requirement, how should we answer these questions to showcase our experience? A: Due to the nature of Digital Market place there is very limited space for publishing requirements. The essential skills are required to be met and suppliers should propose how they would meet those skills; specifically in relation to this opportunity detailing how this would solve the authorities requirement. 9. Q: In response to each skill and experience required, DOS states we have to provide evidence and use the following structure (max 100 words)what the situation wasthe work the team didwhat the results wereSo in order to respond, we would have to have already developed or provided each specific functionality elsewhere. i.e. an off the shelf solution. Can you consider republishing the opportunity in a way that allows suppliers to respond with evidence, but not be so specific on the requirement in this initial stage? A: The initial digital marketplace response is designed for the authority to shortlist suppliers in order to invite a smaller number of suppliers to submit a technical costed proposal.If a supplier Does not have previous experience in all of the listed areas then it does not mean they will not be successful in being shortlisted. Suppliers are encouraged to submit what they deem to be relevant evidence against each criteria to help the authority down select for invitation to submit a full technical costed proposal. 10. Q; Does the authority require day rate? A: As this is preliminary work prior to fully costed proposal, day rates will be acceptable for cost comparison between suppliers. 11. Q: Can i confirm if a fixed price proposal is required by the 17th, or if it is just the initial stage which we need to respond to by then? A: Apologies for any confusion. The authority requires a day rate initially in order to down select bidders to be invited to present a full technical proposal. The proposal will need to include a firm fixed price for the project. 12. Q: Just to confirm it is just this initial stage that needs to be complete by the 17th Nov? If down selected a full technical proposal will have another submission date? A: Correct. This is the initial assessment phase to identify a shortlist of potential suppliers. This shortlist will be determined on responses submitted by NLT 17th November. Down selected suppliers will be notified and subsequently invited to supply a full technical proposal.