Careers Wales Web Platform - Backend Development

Tender description

Summary of the work Careers Wales require a range of technical skills to develop and deliver products and services that will support the implementation of the new vision ‘Brighter Futures’ 2021-2026. This award is for the backend development of lightweight micro-services and applications, and to support those applications and services developed. Expected Contract Length 2 Years Latest start date Monday 16 August 2021 Budget Range £0 - £1.6 Million Why the Work is Being Done Careers Wales has a new vision for 2021 – 2026, Brighter Futures, with digital service delivery at its core. To achieve its business goals and outcomes, Careers Wales is migrating from its existing platform and has started the build of a new website that will maximise digital services to meet customer needs. Problem to Be Solved The new site is agile, adaptable, performant and secure. Hosted on Microsoft’s Azure Cloud platform utilising the latest web technologies, Careers Wales must continue to develop and deliver applications to customers that meet quality standards and best practices. Careers Wales has a defined technical architecture that the successful supplier will need to adhere to. The frontend development of the site and its applications are contracted to a third-party digital agency to deliver. This contract award is for the backend development of lightweight micro-services and applications, and to support those applications and services developed. Who Are the Users As an all age, bilingual user of the Careers Wales website, I need to be able to search for accessible content in Welsh and English languages, enter and save personal data in applications, receive notifications where applicable, and view personalised content, So that I can view content that is appropriate to my needs in the language of my choice, view relevant labour market information, apply for opportunities, and contact a Careers Adviser for advice, guidance and support. Work Already Done Careers Wales has started the build of a new web platform and is nearing the end of its migration from its legacy platform. This contract award will focus primarily on the backend development of applications and services on the new web platform. Existing Team Careers Wales has an internal Product Development team consisting of Programme (Product) Management, Technical Project Managers, Manual Software Testers, UX Design. In addition, there is a Systems Engineering team consisting of Systems Engineers and DevOps. The technical architecture is owned by Careers Wales and all CI/CD pipelines are controlled and managed by Careers Wales. The frontend development of the site and its applications are contracted to a third-party digital agency to deliver. Current Phase Beta Skills & Experience • demonstrate experience of developing lightweight microservices and applications for deployment on a Kubernetes cluster • demonstrate experience of utilising Cloud native solutions as a preference • have experience of developing software without proprietary technologies or solutions • demonstrate experience of developing bilingual applications and services • have experience of using common coding languages, preferably Java, C# • demonstrate experience with version control software, specifically git • demonstrate experience of secure coding and testing across a variety of tools and vulnerability management • demonstrate experience of following best practice coding standards and principles • adhere to Careers Wales' technical architecture • demonstrate experience and working knowledge of Cloud environments, specifically Microsoft Azure • demonstrate experience of working with continuous delivery pipelines for continuous integration and continuous deployment to Cloud environments • have experience of working with multiple client teams, third party suppliers and contractors • have experience of using agile project management and development methods, i.e. SCRUM and Kanban Nice to Haves • have experience of working on medium-large size projects delivering software solutions in the public sector • have experience of implementing data security for public sector clients • have experience of delivering software solutions that incorporate Welsh public sector digital priorities Work Location Remote working. Potential for meetings as required on site (Cardiff), pandemic dependent. Working Arrangments Teams will predominantly work remotely. Occasional on-site meetings may be required (Cardiff), pandemic dependent. The successful supplier will work with multiple client teams, third party suppliers and contractors. Agile project management delivery methods will be used, e.g. SCRUM; Kanban. Security Clearance BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standards). No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • technical solution • approach and methodology • estimated timeframes for the work • team structure • value for money Cultural Fit Criteria • work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers • be transparent and collaborative when making decisions • can work with clients with low technical expertise • share and transfer knowledge to our organisation Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method • Case study • Reference Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers 1. Can you point us to the Careers Wales' technical architecture? The Careers Wales technical architecture will be shared with those suppliers shortlisted, to enable bidders to prepare proposals. 2. You say the supplier should have experience of using common coding languages, and suggest Java and C#. What, if any other languages (eg Python, Ruby on Rails) are you comfortable supporting? Are there any definitely off the table (eg Python, Ruby on Rails!)? Java experience is essential, as the successful supplier will be required to support those applications developed in Java to date. There is flexibility on coding languages used for the development of new applications on the platform. 3. Please clarify the bi-lingual requirement specified in the opportunity. Is this Welsh and English or is it any Bilingual application? Careers Wales has a responsibility to develop services for users in Welsh and English languages. 4. Do we need to show examples of delivering software solutions that incorporate Welsh public sector digital priorities or do we just need to know the Welsh digital sector priorities? Examples as a preference; however demonstrating an understanding of Welsh public sector digital priorities is also beneficial. 5. Is there already and incumbent or is this a completely new requirement? Yes, there is an incumbent. A handover from the incumbent will be provided to the successful supplier. 6. In regard to the specific question “Adhere to Careers Wales’ technical architecture”, is the intention to show how suppliers have conformed with other Public Sector technical architecture standards and confirm that we will do so for Careers Wales? If this is specific to Careers Wales please can you provide suppliers with your technical architecture design standards. Careers Wales has its own clearly defined technical architecture. Once shortlisted, suppliers will be expected to provide a proposal that demonstrates how the standards defined within the architecture will be met. Examples of projects that adhere to other public sector technical architecture standards can be used to demonstrate understanding in the context of the requirement. The Careers Wales technical architecture will be shared with those suppliers shortlisted, to enable bidders to prepare proposals. 7. Will you be solely using Azure or AWS aswell? Microsoft Azure. 8. Would the developments envisaged be Microsoft oriented as you mention Java, not JavaScript? No, we do not envisage the developments being Microsoft oriented; however Azure is our current Cloud platform. 9. Do you have a document for the technical architecture which you could share? The Careers Wales technical architecture will be shared with those suppliers shortlisted, to enable bidders to prepare proposals.