GDS Local Transformation Partner

Tender description

Summary of the work: The Service Transformation group within GDS aims to make people’s interactions with government easier and digital public services work better. We’re redesigning how we deliver services for people and businesses by setting high standards and working together as one public sector and seek a delivery partner to support us. The purpose of this contract is to engage a supplier partner to provide end-to-end digital capability to support this ambition and help us improve how people and businesses interact with government.   We are looking to procure a partner to provide multidisciplinary teams and specialist expertise spanning product strategy, user-centred design and agile engineering. The partner will design, build and iteratively improve digital public services, using user research, data insights and continuous delivery approaches aligned to the Service Standard. Pricing model: Capped time and materials Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource: Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Latest start date: 2026-08-12 Expected contract length: 3-00-00 Expected contract structure: Initial 24 months contract duration with option to extend for an additional 12 months. Estimated contract value (excl VAT): 4000000 Why the work is being done: Demand is driven by the need to accelerate transformation across central and local government, delivering more joined-up, accessible and efficient services. This includes supporting programmes such as GDS Local and embedding consistent standards, guidance and tooling across the public sector. Problem to be solved: The requirement for rapid mobilisation, delivery at pace and flexibility to respond to evolving priorities. It necessitates a partner able to integrate quickly with existing teams, scale capability and sustain delivery momentum within established governance, supporting transformation through to 2028 Who the users are and what they need to do: The scope of this contract covers current and emerging Service Transformation workstreams that support the delivery of joined‑up public sector services, aligned to the government’s digital roadmap. This includes new initiatives such as GDS Local, which focuses on strengthening collaboration between central and local government, enabling shared platforms, improved data sharing, and more seamless user journeys across services. It also includes the established Service Manual, which provides the standards, guidance, and tools for teams to design, build, and run high‑quality public services, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and user‑centred delivery across government. Further detail can be found within the specification. Existing team: The Supplier shall work as part of agile, multi-supplier, multi-disciplinary team comprising civil servants and other third-party suppliers. The Supplier shall ensure that its personnel are able to integrate effectively into existing delivery teams, contribute to shared objectives and collaborate constructively across organisational and supplier boundaries. Incumbent supplier: No Working arrangements: The Supplier shall work as part of agile, multi-supplier, multi-disciplinary team comprising civil servants and other third-party suppliers. The Supplier shall ensure that its personnel are able to integrate effectively into existing delivery teams, contribute to shared objectives and collaborate constructively across organisational and supplier boundaries. Delivery shall be outcome-focused and aligned to agreed priorities, backlogs and delivery goals. The Supplier shall operate using agile delivery practices appropriate to the context and maturity of the team. This shall include participation in standard agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, stand-ups, reviews and retrospectives where required. The Supplier shall ensure that its personnel are experienced in agile environments and are able to align to the Authority's delivery cadence, governance and assurance expectations. Security clearance: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)