C18476 Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Central Technical Architecture Partner Service

Tender description

Summary of the work The Home Office is looking for a supplier who can provide the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to help meet demand for Technical Architecture Services within the Home Office’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate, on a range of internal and public facing services from discovery to live. Expected Contract Length 24 Months Latest start date Monday 1 March 2021 Budget Range The Home Office anticipates the total cost for DDaT Technical Architecture Services to be in the following range for 12 months £10m - £20m. This is based upon bench-marked costs from existing suppliers providing similar levels of service. Why the Work is Being Done Home Office DDaT requires Technical Architecture services to provide technology design and delivery across all our areas of work (including immigration and passports, borders, policing and counter-terrorism). Problem to Be Solved Home Office owns and directs its technical strategy through civil servant architects, but the variety and fluctuation in demand is such that the flexibility afforded by supplementary service arrangements are invaluable. This is an element in our long-term change programme, which is leading the transformation DDaT in support of our digital future. This work specifically supports improvements in our resourcing approach and better alignment of technical architecture work to the DDaT profession and preferred methodologies. These changes are being put in place to provide technology which: • Is accessible and aligned to user needs • Can be built and maintained more cost effectively • Enables a data driven organisation • Allows more rapid iteration This work must contribute to the evolution of our delivery against these goals. Who Are the Users Home Office service users (staff and external). Early Market Engagement Home Office intends to hold an Overview and Clarification Session via Skype on 9th December 2020 from 2pm to 3pm. To attend the Overview and Clarification Session and to receive a copy of the RFP potential providers will need to complete, sign and return a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). For further information on the Overview and Clarification Session and NDA bidders should submit a request to ddatcontracts@homeoffice.gov.uk by 12:00 (noon) 8th December 2020. Work Already Done N/A Existing Team A civil service led mixed team of managed service providers, contractors and civil servants. The successful bidder will be required to engage and collaborate across all groups delivering and maintaining services for the Home Office. Current Phase Not applicable Skills & Experience • Recent experience (within last 2 years) of placing SFIA level 3 to 5 architects into delivery teams in government or critical National Infrastructure and understanding how those roles work together. • Evidence experience of running an Architecture Service with 20+ UK based resources in the last 5 years showing the % mix of permanent /associate resources. • Evidence where you have increased the level of architecture maturity within an organisation • Evidence where they have produced Technology roadmaps and blueprints that you have produced for clients in the last 3 years over a wide range of applications • Please demonstrate evidence of a contemporary approach to technical architecture including training for your staff and thought leadership in this space • Confirm delivery of Cloud Strategies (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS) for large organisations including approach to migration/management of legacy applications ensuring target state applications/platforms are reliable, secure, cost effective, and interoperable. • Provide information of alignment with IR35 requirements for the public sector in running managed architecture services if your service includes bring in associate/contract resources Nice to Haves • Evidence experience of implementing and using Architecture design tooling • Evidence of implementing or enhancing architecture governance processes and decision support tooling Work Location The majority of the services are expected to be based at our London, Croydon, Sheffield or Manchester sites. However, the successful supplier must be capable of providing the service nationwide. Secondary locations may include Glasgow, Liverpool, Southport or Hendon. The work will be divided into Statements of Work (SOWs) which will clearly identify the relevant base location. Working Arrangments A flexible approach is required to meet the needs of each individual project and programme. The work will be divided into Statements of Work (SOWs) which will clearly identify the working arrangements. Security Clearance All supplier staff must have Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) prior to starting work, however most work will require Security Clearance (SC). Supplier staff not in possession of the required clearance must be willing to undergo and capable of passing the clearance process. Occasionally, NPPV3 or DV clearance is required. Additional T&Cs 1.Travel expenses are payable for journeys outside the M25 (Greater London) or journeys greater than 10 miles from other base locations, where approved in advance and in line with HO Travel policy (subsistence not payable). 2. Professions rate caps will be applied to all roles at all SFIA levels. Caps will be provided to shortlisted suppliers at RFP stage. 3. Seasonal furloughs may be required. 4. Potential Providers participate in the RFP stage will need to complete, sign and return a non-disclosure and ethical walls agreement (NDA) prior to receiving the RFP. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • Essential Skills carried forward from stage 1 • Onboarding and transition • Work Packages • Organisation and subcontractors • Proposed leadership / management team • Thought leadership in technical architecture Cultural Fit Criteria • Community and Culture • Social Value Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method • Case study • Reference • Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. Please could you explain how this procurement relates to the similar DDaT Technical Architect opportunity that is currently being procured through DOS: Proc 526 – Technical Architecture? Standards, roles, architecture capabilities are similar across both requirements but the BICs areas, due to critical work within their portfolio, requires a partner that is focused on and will immerse itself into the BICs transformational journey, whereas this agreement will provide architecture services across all aspects of Home Office. 2. Will the authority sponsor the required security clearances? Yes.