Technology Partner - Microsoft and Dynamics

Tender description

Summary of the work The NHSBSA technology function delivers work which impacts across Technology, Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT). The capability of our Technology Delivery Partner will ensure that the function can realise its ambitions whilst continuing to mature. It supports approximately 4000 staff, across multiple sites. Our Strategy can be found on: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/what-we-do/strategy-business-plan-and-annual-report Expected Contract Length 2 years with 6 months optional extension Latest start date Thursday 1 December 2022 Budget Range "There is no minimum or maximum committed spend, it is anticipated that approximate spend will be £4.5 million over the duration of the contract. To clarify the NHSBSA makes no commitment to any particular level of spend (actual spend agreed in SOWs) nor does it grant exclusivity to the selected supplier in respect of the services described in this opportunity. Our projections of the type of resources required for the work packages that are currently in scope can be expressed as NHS Agenda for Change Roles at Bands 6, 7, 8a and 8b. Why the Work is Being Done "The NHSBSA is an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care. We provide a platform for at scale, national payments for primary care services to dentists and pharmacists. We support the NHS People Plan providing employment, HR and payroll platforms, as well as providing financial support to NHS students and managing the NHS Pension scheme. We also provide a wide range of services direct to the public to help citizens in gaining access to the healthcare and support with costs to which they are entitled. The NHSBSA technology environment has recently undergone significant change which has ended a long-term IT outsource contract with Capita bringing some services in house and establishing new contracts for others. We have a mixed infrastructure estate with the majority of data and applications residing in the Crown Hosting data centres. However, all new applications and services are being developed for cloud first and public cloud platforms. We have consolidated separate technology functions and built new teams. Maturing these new teams by investing in both additional capacity, new capabilities and modern tooling is now a key feature of our strategy. Problem to Be Solved The Technology Applications team within the NHS BSA's DDAT function is seeking to complement its existing capability to enable rapid progress of several key delivery activities. The NHS BSA DDaT functions support approximately 4000 staff, across multiple sites. These and our Strategy can be found on: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/what-we-do/strategy-business-plan-and-annual-report These activities will be delivered by either a work package describing the creation of a blended team, extending internal NHS BSA teams that need additional capacity; or via a full work package encompassing an independent delivery. The work package will describe skills, capabilities and outcomes required and also facilitate knowledge transfer whilst we develop and grow capability from within. NHS BSA are looking for a supplier to design, configure, test and implement solutions using Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Microsoft 365 , Power Platform and Dynamics 365. They should provide guidance on best practice and follow industry standards and the NHSBSA playbook. To provide on-going implementation and configuration services to ensure the solution is continually improved, supported and maintained over the term of the contract and handover back to the in-house teams where required. Who Are the Users This will be dependant on the pipeline of work the NHS BSA . NHSI Agenda for Change Rates: Please provide your all-inclusive Daily Rates for: Band 6 (Frontend Developer) Band 7 (Senior Frontend Developer) Band 6 (Software Developer) Band 7 (Senior Software Developer) Band 6 (Test Engineer) Band 7 (Senior Test Engineer) Band 6 (Business Analyst) Band 7 (Senior Business Analyst) Band 7 (Delivery Manager) Band 8 (Senior Delivery Manager) Band 6 (User Researcher) Band 7 (Senior User Researcher) Band 7 (Technical Analyst) Band 6 (DevOps Engineer) Band 7 (Senior DevOps Engineer) Band 8 ( Lead DevOps Engineer) Early Market Engagement There has been no early market engagement for this particular opportunity. Work Already Done Not Applicable. Existing Team "We usually plan our resourcing of work using the following roles (and agenda for change bands): Developer (Band 6) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-developer Lead Developer (Band 7) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-developer Tester (Band 6) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/test-engineer Lead Tester (Band 7) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/test-engineer Application Support Developer (Band 5) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-developer Lead Application Support Developer (Band 6) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-developer Product Manager (Band 7) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-manager Current Phase Not applicable Skills & Experience • Using at least 1 example of where you have done this before, describe your process to collect client-requirements and enhance client relationships. Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16%. • Describe your experience of delivering multiple outcome-based pieces of work within a framework agreement and will cover period of time (2-3 years)? Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16%. • Provide an example of deploying multiple teams to different projects. How many teams could you field concurrently and how will you manage onboarding? Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16%. • You are required to oversee a variety of SoW's-running across numerous-departments/projects. Provide an example of where you have managed DDaT-resources/demands of concurrent SoW's? Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16% • Provide an example of where you have added value/influenced strategic-direction, supported change for an organisation and the projects your teams are working on. Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16%. • Provide an example of where you have closely managed affordability and value for money whilst delivering outcomes on work packages? Section Weighting 25%, Question Weighting is 4.16%. Nice to Haves • Describe assurance of technical fitness for resources you'll provide to fulfil work packages. Describe how your recruitment and ongoing professional-development support ensures this. Section Weighting 10%, Question Weighting is 2.5%. • How do you manage your colleagues whilst they are allocated to clients and working on work package deliveries. Section Weighting 10%, Question Weighting is 2.5%. • Please provide an example of how you have successfully embedded a multi-disciplinary team, describing your approach to onboarding and enabling-blended-team(s) to deliver a successful-outcome. Section Weighting10%, Question Weighting is 2.5%. • Please provide an example of any major issues in team(s) and/or the management and delivery of work, include the successful outcome? Section Weighting 10%, Question Weighting is 2.5%. Work Location No location specified. The NHS BSA main office is in Newcastle upon Tyne -NE15 8NY, but these obligations could be filled by working remote or hybrid working as long as it is onshore . Collaboration is likely to be necessary, which is required to happen during UK working hours. Offshore working is not permitted within this opportunity. Working Arrangments Suppliers may need to fulfil work packages at short notice, we estimate a maximum of 10 concurrent Statements of Work (SoW) All ownership and responsibility for delivery will be outsourced to the supplier with requirements for outcomes and milestones for completion and payment determined through the SoW. As the buyer we have determined that this is a contracted-out service therefore off payroll working rules (IR35) do not apply and the supplier must be able to ensure it provides an outcomes-based service in line with these requirements and determination. The contract is expected to commence on the 1st of December 2022 Security Clearance None Additional T&Cs Please refer to the standard framework terms and conditions. In addition to this we may have additional special terms and conditions and a requirement to work in line with the NHS BSA Playbook which will be detailed within stage 2 of this opportunity. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 6 Proposal Criteria • To be confirmed at the next stage of this process. This is the first stage and the second stage will be published on Atamis the e-procurement system. • To be confirmed at the next stage of this process. This is the first stage and the second stage will be published on Atamis the e-procurement system. Cultural Fit Criteria This will be determined in the next stage of the process Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method • Case study • Work history • Reference • Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 20% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers 1. Do you already have an incumbent supplier providing the required services/resources? If so, who is it please, and how long have they been providing the services/resources to you? We have a number of outcomes-based contracts at various stages of term and no rights to exclusivity who the NHS BSA work with to meet our Technology stack. This is a new opportunity looking for specific skills in Microsoft and Dynamics . 2. We are an independent Software Testing company, with valuable Microsoft Dynamics testing experience and value for testing large Transformation projects. We only offer Quality Testing and ask if there is any opportunity to run testing in this project as a separate provider? No there is no requirement within this opportunity for independent testing . 3. In order to support my proposal, I want to submit a document showcasing my current strategic plan, resource plan and value-added services, as well as technical skilled resources to your email address. Due to limitation of 100 words to described, Could you please share the email address where supportive documents can be sent? All supplier responses must be provided within the 100 word count limitation applied by the DOS system and in line with the DOS guidance therefore no additional information can be submitted by e mail. 4. Can you please inform us is there a current incumbent and if so who they are ? We have a number of outcomes-based contracts at various stages of term and no rights to exclusivity who the NHS BSA work with to meet our Technology stack. This is a new opportunity looking for specific skills in Microsoft and Dynamics . 5. Would Authority consider offshore delivery partners, or a hybrid Onsite/Offshore model? No there is a requirement for onshore working only within this opportunity and therefore off shore working is not being considered. 6. Is it your intention to award to a single supplier only? Would you consider bids from suppliers which cover some, but not all, of the roles requested? We are seeking a supplier who must be able to demonstrate the ability to cover all of the requirements and roles stated. 7. Are you able to confirm the timeline for this procurement process post 100-word submission? Requirement for pitch and timings? etc. The indicative Timeline for this procurement process is for Stage 2 to be published in middle to late October with evaluations and presentations early to middle of November and evaluation and Award for the end of November . The timelines will be subject to review dependent on the number of bidders. 8. The DOS response format asks that we provide a client-related example in response to each question. However, the “Describe assurance of technical fitness for resources...” and “How do you manage your colleagues whilst they are allocated to clients...” questions do not support this format. Please clarify how you would like these question to be answered. Using a client related example “Describe how you have provided assurance of technical fitness for resources...” and “How you have managed your colleagues whilst they are allocated to clients...” 9. What is the anticipated timetable for the next stage – from evaluation to contract award? Using a client related example “Describe how you have provided assurance of technical fitness for resources...” and “How you have managed your colleagues whilst they are allocated to clients...” 10. Can you please share with us details around NHSBSA playbook? The BSA Playbook simply sets out any specific requirements in relation to how the supplier will be required to work with the BSA and agreed within each SoW. This document will be shared with those suppliers who are successful in stage 1 as part of the stage 2 information. 11. We understand, you need onshore resources, do they need to be security cleared? No ....the advert on the DOS system , advises that security clearance is not required for onshore working 12. As a supplier where will I need to register if shortlisted to the second stage? " Suppliers who are shortlisted and then wish to submit proposals must register on the NHSBSA’s e-tendering solution which can be found athttps://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome" 13. Which scoring scoring methodology will be used. The standard DOS scoring Matrix or the NHS Business Services Authority scoring table? This requirement this will be scored using the NHS Business Services Authority scoring table, not the standard DOS scoring matrix. 14. What is the NHS Business Services Authority Scoring Table? NHSBSA scoring table. Score Classification Criteria 0 Unacceptable Completely fails to meet required standard or does not provide a proposal at all 1 Not Met Significantly fails to meet the standards required, contains significant shortcomings in many areas 2 Partially Met Meets a number of required standards but falls short of achieving required standard in a number of identifiable areas 3 Mostly Met Meets the required standard in most(but not all) material respects 4 Met Meets the required standard in all respects and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the requirement. Score of 2 or less will be deemed a fail 15. Which Microsoft Dynamics 365 products is NHSBSA planning to implement? We are currently using Dynamics 365 Customer Service module and may in the future expand into some of the other modules available like Marketing, Sales etc 16. Can you please share number of resources/roles needed in each area like M365, D365, Power Platform, Azure etc. by the Banding per resource. This will be project dependant , on size value , complexity and timeline and would be agreed via the Statement of Work. 17. Working arrangement says approximate 10 concurrent statements of work, considering bands mentioned in ‘Who the users are and what they need to do’ section. Will the supplier have scope to ramp up/down the resources based on statements of work ? Yes in line with the requirements of the Statement of Work and consultation the buyer 18. With regards to Q8 please can you confirm if you are referring to colleagues within our company as a whole or specifically within the delivery team that will be allocated to this project? This question is specifically in reference to the management and support of the suppliers employees who are directly working on each Statement of Work for the buyer. 19. Are you able to confirm the timeline for this procurement process post 100-word submission? Requirement for pitch and timings? etc. The indicative Timeline for this procurement process is for Stage 2 to be published in middle to late October with evaluations and presentations early to middle of November and evaluation and Award for the end of November . The timelines will be subject to review dependent on the number of bidders. 20. Please can you provide further details on your current Tech Stack? We are currently unable to share this information , as we have a wide range of projects that will be assessed in terms of urgency and suitability prior to allocation to the supplier . 21. For Q2, are you able to confirm if you are looking for current experience within a framework agreement that will run over a period of 2-3 years or are past examples that fit the criteria able to be referenced? We are looking for the bidder to describe their past examples , however we would accept current examples if the work being delivered was nearing the end of the contract term for example 1.5 to 2.5 years , as in principle you would be describing your experience of work which had already been carried out. 22. Can we use a nearshore resource to deliver all or part of this requirement? "We would be willing to consider a hybrid approach to near shore-working alongside our on-shore requirements . Each project piece of work would need to be assessed in terms of eligibility for On-shore and Near-shore working to determine both the suitability of each approach and the impact on Data if applicable and this should be documented in the service wrap for the service and recorded in the Statement of Work .**This will be further detailed in Stage 2 of the procurement process in terms of pricing and assessment."