Proc 670'A' - Border Force App Development

Tender description

Summary of the work Border Force (BF) are undertaking a transformational project to optimise the use of the data generated from x-ray scanning activities. To do this, a web-based application serving as the interface which BF officers use to manage x-ray scanning processes is needed. Expected Contract Length 18 months Latest start date Monday 10 May 2021 Why the Work is Being Done Border Force (BF) are transforming their x-ray scanning operations and are developing a unique user interface that will be accessed by BF officers locally and remotely to access scan targets, process target scanning, process target examinations, store operational data and utilise the data/management information in making decisions. This work is being done to; • Enable the integration of data feeds from the x-ray scanner systems and BF scanning/examination activities into wider Home Office IT systems. • Implement a standard data structure/format in BF scanning operations, which will enable and improve data sharing with partners. • Provide a bespoke interface for BF officers to analyse x-ray images in the Unified File Format using BF developed image analysis tools. • Enable local and remote access to real-time scan operations data. • Digitalise and automate BF scanning/examination operational processes, as well as provide a digital audit trail of actions and target history. • Develop a robust data repository for scanning and operational data, thus providing a single source of data for freight scanning/examination/operational activities. • Standardise the workflow/processes for BF officers throughout BF scanning operations. Problem to Be Solved The provision of a browser-based application to manage data generated by BF X-ray scanning and detection operations. The application is required to provide: • Digitised and automated business process using a configurable workflow system • The ability to assign tasks to a BF officer and track progress • Categorisation and prioritisation of targets • End to end management of individual targets • An integration gateway to receive target information from partnering systems and the ability to view, edit and modify a target. • Structured search and comparison of historic images and targets supported by specified filtering capabilities and AI. • MI & Dashboarding that provides real time metrics, trends and scheduled reporting of operational and performance data. • Identity and Access Management that provides role-based user access and authorisation. • Integration with an embedded but independent UFF scan image viewer using UI composition or similar pattern (see parallel procurement at Proc 670'B' - Image Viewer Development). Who Are the Users The users for this product will predominantly be BF officers (BFO) across the UK in addition to wider government departments and non-BF users. BF officers nationwide are categorised into roles which have different requirements and as such will utilise desktops, laptops and tablets to access ScanApp. Border Force Officers require: • Configurable workflows to ensure required business process and tasks are relevant to each target and/or location. • A collated list of targets received from with the ability to view and modify targets in order to assign tasks, identify potential threats and determine requisite action • Digitalised end to end management of targets, in order to assign and complete tasks, track progress and record business outcomes in a single location. • The ability to search historic targets to compare and contrast images and data with similar objects in order to identify anomalies when conducting analysis. • Real-time and scheduled MI reporting of operation and performance metrics in order to access reliable performance data, undertake retrospective target analysis and monitor the quality of image analysis • Role-based user access and authorisation in order to view and manage targets and cases relevant to them. Work Already Done The project team has completed Discovery and Alpha (prototyping) phases for the design of ScanApp, with a clear understanding of what the solution looks like. A parallel procurement (Proc 670'B') is being undertaken for the Image Viewer Development. The successful bidder will be required to work closely with the successful bidder for that procurement. Bidders are welcome to bid for both pieces of work: should a single bidder be successful, cost savings will be expected. Existing Team The team consists of civil servants and specialist contractors. The project is being managed by the Detection Services Portfolio (DSP), working alongside multiple (internal and external) delivery partners. The successful bidder will be required to engage and collaborate across all groups delivering and maintaining services for the Home Office. Current Phase Beta Skills & Experience • Demonstrable experience in with opensource BPM technology in public sector. • Having experience in building browser-based application using opensource technology and UI composition or similar patterns across microservices. • Demonstrable experience in CI/CD pipelines, cloud native application and dockerisation platforms. • Be able to provide specific and relevant examples of previous work. • Demonstrable experience working collaboratively in a multi-vendor environment. • Have experience delivering projects using an Agile approach. • Experience of working collaboratively with an in-house team, building skills and capabilities to support a smooth handover. • Demonstrate understanding of service-led/microservice architecture. Nice to Haves • Experience in building services to meet the UK government Digital Service Standard or appropriate similar standards within complex digital programmes across government. • Evidence of successfully delivering Minimum Viable Product solutions within compressed timelines. • Demonstrate an understanding of Home Office approach to technology, data and platforms. • Knowledge of GDS Service Standards and web content accessibility guidelines. Work Location Croydon; London Working Arrangments The successful bidder will be required for 5 days a week and will attend meetings using digital channels initially but should expect to transition to occasional attendance at the Croydon office as the project progresses and COVID 19 guidance allows. All expenses incurred for travel and subsistence outside the M25 will be chargeable in line with the Home Office Travel and Subsistence policy. Security Clearance Individuals must be cleared to SC level in order to work on this project. BF will sponsor SC clearance as required. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • Evidence of experience defining and implementing new services in a cloud environment. (10%) • Approach and methodology with particular attention to agile and collaborative delivery (5%) • Technical competence in the identified technologies/processes and delivery practices (17%) • Demonstrable experience of working alongside clients and other delivery partners in co-located and integrated teams (8%) • Demonstrate understanding of the challenges and critical success factors of implementing in a government agile / hybrid environment (7%) • Risk: demonstrate experience in the identification of key assumptions, dependencies, risks and issues, with robust mitigation plans (8%) Cultural Fit Criteria • Ability to collaborate and communicate with personnel at all levels of the organisation in a diverse environment, including with other suppliers • Ability to be innovative and achieve value for money in all activities • Your experience of successful collaborative working as part of a blended team sharing knowledge within the team • Evidence how you actively promote diversity, inclusion and remote working Payment Approach Capped time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 55% Cultural fit 15% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. Price is 30% of the assessment, however, none of the application questions directly relate to pricing. Are you able to confirm the budget for this project. Pricing is evaluated at Stage 2, so those shortlisted at Stage 1 will receive further information. At this stage, therefore, the budget is not relevant. 2. (A clarification to the pricing issue) At Stage 2, shortlisted bidders will be required to submit a Pricing Schedule containing details of the proposed resource day rates. These day rates must not exceed the mandated maximum rates for the various SFIA levels, details of which are available on application to IPTCommercial@homeoffice.gov.uk 3. The opportunity states “The project team has completed Discovery and Alpha phases for the design of ScanApp”. Does “ScanApp” refer to a pre-existing commercial product, a pre-existing in-house solution, or is it a proposed name for the required application? ScanApp is a proposed name for the required application. 4. What is the expected use of opensource BPM technology for the application. Do you have a preferred opensource BPM technology in mind? Expected use of BPM technology is for workflow and task management. Camunda or similar being currently being considered. 5. Please could the Authority confirm which configurable workflow system is used? This is a new requirement, so there is no workflows system currently. 6. From an intellectual property (IP) perspective, who would own the IP co-developed? Any IP arising from the work would be the property of the Home Office. 7. We have developed a web-based medical imaging software application with viewer that we believe would be customisable to meet Border Force’s requirements. Might there be interest in Border Force starting from an existing product as opposed to developing one from scratch? Yes, there will be interest from BF to work with a supplier to customise existing products – which is expressed in criteria “Demonstrate solution readiness”. 8. We are a UK-based company. Is it a requirement that all members of the project team are UK-based? For example, we work with European based developers that we would plan to use as part of our project team. Would this be an issue? This would not be a requirement. In principle, there would be no objection to offshored or nearshored developers, although this would be subject to Home Office security policies. 9. Are you strictly only interested in using an opensource BPM platform, or are you open to commercial products such as Appian? Given the nature of your project, the choice of opensource can be high risk due to the lack of security, and while development is more custom when compared to a commercial counterpart, there’s a risk of a much slower and less robust development. Within the current scope, we are looking for relevant experience in BPM platform.