UKHO User Experience Capability

Description

Summary of work The UKHO is looking for a supplier to support with UX and POC development projects (including aspects of User Research, Interaction, Content and Service Design, Software Development and Data Engineering). Each work package will have clearly defined deliverables and last around 3 months for 2-3 staff member full time. An indicative Programme of projects requiring UX, Software Development and Data Engineering capability may look something like the following:- Digital Sailing Directions Future Tidal Services Navigation App Data Upload portal Digital Twin SaaS, web applications and internal software Where the supplied staff will work South West England Where the supplied staff will work No specific location (for example they can work remotely) Why the work is being done The UKHO has established a User Experience (UX) practice made up of Interaction Designers and User Researchers to enhance its current product portfolio and aid in the development of new products and services in new unexplored markets. Software Development is also used alongside UX in the development of the Design System and production of Proof of Concepts (PoCs) made as part of the UX and product development process. The Authority has recognised the need for User Experience and Software Development as a core capability within the Authorities’ Research, Design and Innovation (RDI) team, and whilst the capability is resourced by permanent members of staff, there will be on occasion, as demand dictates, the requirement to flex the capability and deliver projects above and beyond that which the current resource levels can provide. Therefore, the Authority wishes to seek a partner that can provide User Experience - Interaction Design, User Research, Service Design, Content Design and Software Development skills on a project by project basis over the coming 2 years. The business problem We want to speed up our delivery cadence by having an agile team of UX, Software Developers and Data Engineers to work alongside internal teams to bring value to users at pace. The people who will use the product or service User type: Internal users or professionals in the UK and international shipping industry Definition: The nature of RDI projects and the associated UX and PoC development is such that involvement in projects and defining specific deliverables up-front is difficult to prescribe. More information to be provided at call-off stage. Which phase the project is in Not applicable Existing team The existing teams consist of 4 User Researchers, 4 Interaction Designers, several Software developers and 1 part time Data Engineer. Address where the work will be done UK Hydrographic Office, Admiralty Way, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2DN and/or remote working. Working arrangements Hybrid working resources required to attend UK Hydrographic Office on an ad hoc basis to collaborate and sync with internal development teams Security and vetting requirements Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) More information about the Security requirements: All must have BPSS and DBS as a minimum. Latest start date 4 September 2023 Expected contract length Contract length: 2 years 0 months 0 days Budget Indicative maximum: £1000000 Indicative minimum: The contract value is not specified by the buyer Contracted out service or supply of resource? Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Questions and Clarifications 1. Can we bid just for the UK, Service Design, Content elements OR is the authority seeking a single supplier to provide a holistic service? We are seeking a single supplier to provide a holistic service Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 2. Is there an incumbent supplier for this work? If so, please can you advise who it is. BJSS Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 3. In 'Work setup' it advises 'All must have BPSS and DBS as a minimum.' but Technical criteria question 3 asks 'Describe how you will ensure the UK Hydrographic Office is supplied with the appropriate skills and security cleared resource' Can you confirm that Security Clearance (SC) level is not required and only BPSS level clearance is required for anyone working on the project for its duration? Apologies for ambiguity this should read as the correct security vetting as required with BPSS as the minimum. Technical question 6 asks about Security Clearance (SC) level resource which is desirable, but not essential. Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 4. If resources have active and full SC level clearance as a minimum is DBS still required? DBS would not be required for SC cleared resource Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 5. DBS requirement is that standard or enhanced? Standard Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 6. Does UKHO have access to existing industry networks or their own network, which UR can tap into? In terms of networks for user recruitment, UKHO has established networks for User Research Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 7. Essential Q1 covers numerous different points. Given that suppliers only have 750 characters per question, would it be possible to break this into more than one question, or to clarify how you're expecting suppliers to respond to it? A character limit was not made clear when entering assessment criteria. As we are asking for several different points, we will not implement a character limit for this specific question. Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 8. Please could you be more specific about the Essential Requirement "Data Engineering". What sort of data is envisaged, what technical knowledge is required around specific data sets, what engineering / analysis / machine learning / AI etc experience is required? Referencing a current project to give a typical flavour of support needed is knowledge and expertise in Data Engineering across; cloud platforms, game engine development (specifically Unreal Engine), skills such as C++, REST API creation and development. Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 9. Will this requirement be inside or outside IR35? We expect this to be outside IR35. Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 10. Does the 750 characters for each response include spaces? We will not include spaces in the character count and will accept a 10% margin. Following another clarification question, the character limit will not be applied to Essential Q1. Last Updated : <strong>11/07/2023</strong> 11. For the avoidance of doubt, at this stage, and the next stage, will suppliers be scored using the 0-10 scale provided in Attachment 1? Both stage 1 and 2 will be scored using 0 (Poor), 1 (Weak), 4 (Fair), 7 (Adequate) or 10 (Excellent). Last Updated : <strong>12/07/2023</strong> 12. So all suppliers provide comparable levels of detail for Q1 and ensures that this first phase isn't too onerous, can you provide a maximum character count please (e.g. 1500 characters) rather than leave this uncapped? We will double the character limit to 1500 characters or 300 words (whichever is greater) with 10% margin. Last Updated : <strong>12/07/2023</strong> 13. We note that " the character limit will not be applied to Essential Q1." Does that mean it is now unlimited or is there a limit? Do you prefer one client reference that answers all requirements (User Research, Content Design, Service Design and Interactive Design) or multiple client references which individually identify experience. If the latter (and in reference to part 1. above) - are you looking for 750 characters for each of User Research, Content Design, Service Design and Interactive Design)? As a result of a request to provide a character limit, this question will have double the character limit to 1500 characters or 300 words (whichever is greater) with 10% margin. We do not have a preference; it can be one specific example or a summary of several projects or areas you have worked on. The character count above will apply to the total answer. Last Updated : <strong>12/07/2023</strong> 14. Gaming Technology is mentioned in NTH Q5, this with a particular technology in mind? Tech such as Unreal Engine is being used currently Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 15. How long have the existing team been in place? Have they delivered any products/projects that you could share with us? UX has been operational at UKHO for 5-8 years. There are not any specific projects we would want to highlight but research should elicit results. Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 16. Given our core team is small compared to large big UX agencies, do you think we have a change to be shortlisted or will we be rejected because we are not very big agency? I really want to respond but always have a feeling that we have passion and talented team and can give fair price and great quality. But not sure if this is something you are looking for or is the choice straight going to be one of the big agency that you are used to? Thanks for the honest question. We require support and resource that can be scaled up and down in a flexible way. Sometimes this scaling only suits a larger organisation, as there are more team members to call upon. Any agency would need to supply people to integrate into UKHO projects, rather than an agency doing individual, bespoke projects. Hope this helps. Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 17. Could you provide additional details on game engine technologies to be used? i.e. Unity? UnReal? Unreal Engine is being used currently Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 18. Can you please specify your preferred location for onboarding and the order of preference amongst onshore, nearshore & offshore models? Onboarding can be done remotely or at our office in Taunton. As resources may be required to attend UK Hydrographic Office on an ad hoc basis, onshore is the preferred model. Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 19. Please can you explain what you're looking for for this question? Experience of working with internal developer teams to transition designs to production Our Development of new and modified deliveries are undertaken by internal and third--party Developers. Anyone working with us, would need to be working directly in delivery teams, alongside the client’s Development teams, often in an agile delivery model Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 20. For the following question, can you elaborate on what evidence you're looking for? Do you mean leading agile projects (delivery management)? Experience working in Agile environment For all resources outlined in the contract, each role would need to be experienced in agile / scrum / GDS phasing methodologies. Not Delivery leads, but UX, software dev, data engineers all happy to work in an agile way Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 21. Does the client expect the work packages to run concurrently? Yes, the work packages would need to be delivered concurrently, so for example multiple user research, or design, or software engineering projects at once. Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong> 22. For NTH-Q3 "Ability to bring best practice from other sectors", Please can you advise what best practices should include and which sectors you would like us to talk about? This would be up to you. We are interested in what best practice methods or techniques you can bring from your experience working in different environments. Last Updated : <strong>13/07/2023</strong>