Smart Environmental Regulation Programme (SERP)

Tender description

Summary of the work The Smart Environmental Regulation Programme (SERP) will transform digital and IT capabilities for regulatory activities within Defra and its ALBs. The programme combines 3 programmes: Regulatory Services Programme - Environment Agency Waste Tracking - DEFRA Programme Collection & Packaging Reforms - DEFRA Programme Expected Contract Length 2 years with the option to extend for a further 6 months if required. Latest start date Friday 30 September 2022 Budget Range It is estimated that the budget range for the first year of this contract is approximately £6-10m up to a maximum of £50m throughout the total contract term. This is not a commitment to spend up to this value and the Authority reserves the right to consume at its discretion. Why the Work is Being Done To improve the way that those who need to engage with Defra and it’s ALBs in regulation, tracking and monitoring and planning activities interact with Government by delivering GDS compliant digital services based on stable, flexible and inter-operable platforms to store and manage workflow activities. This contract shall initially support at least 3 key programmes including: · Regulatory Services A programme to digitally modernise the way the Environment Agency regulates and protects the environment. · Digital Waste Tracking Digital waste tracking service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) A programme to enable government, regulators across the UK, and businesses to track what happens to waste generated in the UK. This is likely to require some bespoke application development · Collection and Packaging Reforms Waste not, want not: How Digital is playing a key role in waste reforms - Defra digital, data and technology (blog.gov.uk) Three related projects, each with digital requirements which are part of the Government’s Major Projects Portfolio. Some of the digital requirements for this programme are similar to those required for existing regulatory services There are several key statutory requirements which have deadlines the first of which is in January 2023. Problem to Be Solved Across the group there are many legacy systems that underpin these activities that need replacing, as well as new statutory requirements, as outlined in the Environment Act 2021, that need implementing. Historically, there has been a disparate approach to Service and Platform development. However, across the digital programmes, there is an opportunity to develop generic digital capabilities that can be re-used to enable a more consistent technical architecture, efficient and quicker means of delivery. Generic platforms can include the determination and management of permit and registrations, charging, compliance, enforcement, data storage and analytics, as well as externally facing digital services for the ability to manage online accounts, to apply, submit returns and tracking data online. As different programmes are at different stages of development, with some in Beta/Live, others in Discovery, Defra is keen to work collaboratively with a provider to shape Statements of Work to implement capabilities. Defra is seeking to partner with a Microsoft Gold build partner to configure Power Platform & Azure technologies with experience in the delivery of: o Power platform & Azure based developments, integrations & migrations o Power Portal implementations with GDS approvals in place o Azure Data Services including AI based analytics. Who Are the Users Due to the broad scope of the agreement sought across Defra and it’s ALBs, the definition of users will depend on the specific nature of the statement of work and service or platform to be developed. For example, in Regulation for the Environment Agency, external regulated customers who have to apply for licenses and permits which are regulated under legislation. These include small organisations to large scale businesses with varying levels of technical capabilities. The other programmes in this procurement are likely to take a Microsoft based approach including the Defra Waste Tracking service. Users of this service are those that are involved in through the waste management lifecycle, and this service is likely to be used by approx. 100k users daily. Example users: Citizens and businesses: apply for and receive permission to conduct regulated activities. Operational staff: efficiently and administer government legislation through regulatory activity. Policy staff: improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory activity to better achieve policy objectives. Work Already Done A procurement activity was undertaken by the Environment Agency in early 2021 for it’s Regulatory Services programme, and progress has been made in 21/22 alongside a build partner to develop core regulatory platforms. This includes using Microsoft technologies to build out platforms for determining and issuing permits, enforcement and a data service. However with a revised Spending Review settlement, the creation of 2 new Defra regulatory programmes and increased architectural alignment across ALBs and digital programmes. The remit and scope has changed requiring a fresh procurement activity Existing Team The supplier will be working with blended teams consisting of internal staff, contractors and other suppliers including the incumbent. Every statement of work will have a mix of business and technical resource to support delivery. Current Phase Not applicable Skills & Experience • Experience of delivering Government Digital Services and Platforms from Discovery to Public Beta including passing internal assurance and GDS service assessment • Delivered major transformation programmes working with Azure, Azure DevOps, Dynamics 365, Dataverse Power Platform services, SharePoint Online data migration, cleansing and Azure Modern Data Platform • experience of establishing DevOps practices with integrated CI/CD pipeline, from code repo through to deploy • Experience of of Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) methodology to coding standards validated via a test strategy with automation as a foundation • Experience of end-to-end-design and architecture accommodating multi-channel user experience including data ingestion and integration and large datasets with Change Data Capture mechanisms, as well as delivery of payments processing capability • Examples of your experience of delivering large transformation programmes simultaneously, with the ability to increase/ decrease experienced and skilled resources, dependent upon programme priorities • Experience of developing bespoke applications (for example using Node.JS) and integrating them with Azure applications to deliver digital services • Experience implementing advanced analytical/data science techniques to derive predictive insight and enable AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven outcomes to support business decisions. • Experience Implementation of Business Intelligence (BI) tools, specifically PowerBi, to summarise and present data • hold certification of: Microsoft Gold Partner ISO27001: Cyber Essentials Plus: and ITIL Nice to Haves • Provide evidence in previous engagements where they have delivered regulatory processes • Demonstrate increased contract growth, i.e. a customer doing more work with the supplier after the initial award • Evidence of industry and tech vendor awards demonstrating excellence in delivery and innovation • Offers innovation funding to help demonstrate how to deliver outcomes differently providing a level of added value from the engagement. • Experience of proactive contribution to software development communities, demonstrating the delivery of effective guidance and best practice • Experience analysing technical risks, and identifying mitigations to risks when migrating from legacy platforms to new target architectures • Demonstrate experience of delivering services for UK government departments or public bodies • Experience incorporating latest technologies to enhance product specifications, resulting in increased functionality and improved user experience • Demonstrate experience of developing digital assessments • Examples of delivering services using agile teams, meet the Digital Service Standard/Tech Code of Practice and examples of passed GDS Beta Service assessments • Experience migrating data from legacy databases to Azure data repositories. • Experience designing PowerBI reports that interface with multiple different data sources • Experience mentoring and developing the technical skillset of the internal team and to handover activities as required Work Location DEFRA/ ALB's offices in London, Birmingham, York and Bristol are all an advantage for workshops where required. Work is expected to be undertaken at the suppliers office or remotely, with colocation where required. Working Arrangments Suppliers will work core hours of 9-5 Monday to Friday UK time. Where colocation is required, expenses will be paid for travel to venues outside of the M25 or Bristol. Any travel and subsistence related to delivering the contract will be subject to prior approval from the Authority. Expense claims will be in line with DEFRA’S expense policy. A flexible approach is required to meet the needs of each individual project and programme on a 'Statement of Work' (SoW) basis. Security Clearance The Supplier must ensure that all staff with access to Authority information, data or systems are vetted to appropriate standards (minimum BPSS or national equivalent with elevated clearance levels for certain role types to be agreed with the Authority). No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 4 Proposal Criteria • Proposed methodology and approach to taking forward the programmes of work, including project/programme/delivery management, user research, service design, architecture, SDLC and service assessments • Proposed team structure, including details of resource, positions and responsibilities throughout Beta. (including CVs of key members) • Ability and approach to scaling up and down project resource quickly • Proposed methodology and approach to service support and transition to internal teams • Proposed approach to delivering process and organisational change • o How you have identified risks and dependencies and offered approaches to manage them Cultural Fit Criteria • Have a no-blame culture and encourage people to learn from their mistakes • Have a culture of sharing and learning. • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions • Be comfortable challenging non-technical and technical decisions where they see value in an alternative approach • Take responsibility for their work Works as an interdependent team rather than individuals • Identify, mitigate, manage and reduce and report on modern slavery risks - including supply chain in delivering services • Identify, mitigate, manage, reduce and report any sustainability impacts inc supply chain in delivering services Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method • Case study • Work history • Reference • Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 10% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. Is there an incumbent for this opportunity? If so, please could you confirm who the incumbent is? Hitachi Solutions Europe Ltd have been providing services for the Environment Agency's Regulated SP Beta/Live Programme 2. We note the closing date for applications is Thursday 9th June. Given that there are 2 public holidays next week, we would kindly ask if you would be willing to consider an extension to the submission deadline on this occasion? We will permit an extension. We are awaiting clarity from CCS on how to update the listing. 3. In your,nice to have’ questions you have asked: “Demonstrate experience of developing digital assessments”. Could you please elaborate on what this is specifically please? Many thanks. This is an error, the following nice to have question covers the requirement "Examples of delivering services using agile teams, meet the Digital Service Standard/Tech Code of Practice and examples of passed GDS Beta Service assessments" 4. Who from your team will be scoring applications for this opportunity and what positions do they hold? The evaluation team will consists of the commercial lead, the Environment Agency Regulated Services Programme Programme Director and Programme Manager, Defra Waste Tracking & CPR Programme Manager, Project Manager, Technology Architect and Business Relationship Manager from Defra's Digital, Data and Technology Service Business Function. 5. Who is the incumbent and how long they have been the incumbent? Hitachi Solutions Europe Ltd have been providing services for the Environment Agency's Regulated SP Beta/Live Programme from June 2021 6. Can you please provide an anticipated timeline for this procurement that includes dates for: 1) Shortlisting Notification for Stage 2 2) Submission Deadline for Stage 2 3) Presentation 4) Evaluation period 5) Award Notification The following dates are indicative and may be subject to change. Shortlisting Notification: 23/06/2022, Stage 2 Submission deadline: 15/07/2022, Presentations: w/c 18/07/2022 - 28/07/2022, Evaluation: w/c 18/07/2022 - 28/07/2022, Award: August/September 2022 7. Can you confirm if shortlisted suppliers will have the opportunity to present? Yes, we anticipate holding presentations with shortlisted suppliers. 8. Has any external supplier been involved in the initial scoping work? If so, who? Yes, Hitachi Solutions Europe Ltd have been delivering services for the Environment Agency's Regulated Services Programme Beta/Live requirement. 9. In lieu of the Jubilee weekend, and a number of key members of the team on leave over the period, we kindly request an extension of 1 week (16th June), to ensure we submit a quality response. Further, the CQ deadline falls on the 2nd June (Bank Holiday), we assume this will move out in line with the proposed extension? We will permit an extension. We are awaiting clarity from CCS on how to update the listing. 10. Essential – Question 10 – Please confirm how you would like this to be answered? Is it simply a Y/N response? Essential Skills & Experience Question 10 requires a YES/NO response. 11. Nice to Have – Question 9 – Can you clarify the wording of this question please? For example, how does ‘developing digital assessments’ in Q9 differ from ‘examples of passed assessments’ in Q10. This is an error, the following nice to have question covers the requirement "Examples of delivering services using agile teams, meet the Digital Service Standard/Tech Code of Practice and examples of passed GDS Beta Service assessments" 12. 1.   Who are the incumbent and are they allowed to bid for this opportunity? Hitachi Solutions Europe Ltd - yes, they are permitted to bid for this opportunity. 13. 2. Can you please provide an anticipated timeline for this procurement that includes dates for:o Shortlisting Notification for Stage 2o Submission Deadline for Stage 2o Presentationo Evaluation periodo Award NotificationThank you The following dates are indicative and may be subject to change. Shortlisting Notification: 23/06/2022, Stage 2 Submission deadline: 15/07/2022, Presentations: w/c 18/07/2022 - 28/07/2022, Evaluation: w/c 18/07/2022 - 28/07/2022, Award: August/September 2022 14. “Demonstrate experience of delivering services for UK government departments or public bodies”, please can you confirm whether the use of the word “services” here relates to the supplier’s services (e.g. technical/ consulting services) or relates to delivering a ‘government service’ i.e. to the service standard? The word "services" in this context relates to examples of 'digital services' 15. “Demonstrate experience of developing digital assessments”, please can you provide some more details and/or an example of the types of assessments this relates to? This is an error, the following nice to have question covers the requirement "Examples of delivering services using agile teams, meet the Digital Service Standard/Tech Code of Practice and examples of passed GDS Beta Service assessments" 16. Due to Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of June both being bank holidays, we would request an extension is necessary to allow the standard 10 working days for a DOS response to be submitted. We will permit an extension. We are awaiting clarity from CCS on how to update the listing. 17. Extension Request - As there is no ability to amend the deadline on the system , the listing will be withdrawn and re-published next week.In the meantime the listing remains live, please continue to send any clarification questions, which will be addressed on the new listing. Extension Request - As there is no ability to amend the deadline on the system, the listing will be withdrawn and re-published next week.In the meantime the listing remains live, please continue to send any clarification questions, which will be addressed on the new listing.