Support development and Maintenance of website estate for the RAF

Description

Summary of the work Supports RAF with maintenance and development of RAF website, front and back end to ensure satisfactory user experience and we connect with our targeted users. Expected Contract Length 2 Years Latest start date Friday 26 July 2019 Budget Range £350,000 Why the Work is Being Done To ensure the Royal Air Force website stays updated, maintained and is supported considering digital trends, security, back end support and upcoming mandatory server migration. Problem to Be Solved To continue to develop with digital trends and security updates. Ensure site meets user needs developed to stand out, more information needs to be detailed on what the RAF does due to recent insight highlighting people should know more about what the RAF does. Scoping and migrating a server migration from Rackspace to new supplier as required. Who Are the Users RAF Allied Community Individuals with a connection to the RAF but not actually serving personnel • recruits • partners, contractors • civil servants • veterans • overseas military forces RAF enthusiasts • display team watchers • followers of RAF news and history Serving RAF families • spouses Commentators • traditional broadcast and print journalists • specialist aviation and military journalists • bloggers and online commentators Users must be able to easily navigate and use the website effectively. Important to have effective User Interface and User Experience To be able to get all the information they require for their dedicated areas. Early Market Engagement The current website was competed via DOS for the BETA through Live Phase Work Already Done Brand new website-built February 2018, x6 3D Models implemented, security and development maintained, enhanced and advanced site search, hero video capability, dynamic elements on various pages, user testing, Mura CMS integrated, and CMS Training provided to individual station but not all of them, RAF 100 website content migration. Existing Team Digital Agency and Digital Media and Communications team RAF Air Command High Wycombe Current Phase Live Skills & Experience • Have evidence of using Mura (CMS) with other websites and have an understanding how it works and how-to keep it updated, secure and can make back end adjustments. • Collaborate and work with server providers and be able to scope new servers and action website migration • Understanding of a .gov.uk website • Meet prioritised user needs established during Discovery, Alpha and Beta Phases • Copywriting - Professional web copywriting to focus on editorial content. • 3D Web FX - Taking traditional aircraft recognition to a new level with interactive 3D. • Professional developers to maintain dynamic elements and other interactive assets • Web Design- Be compliant with GDS design principles and assessed to meet Digital Service Standards. Have professional graphic designers to assist developers before build. • Daily monitoring and administration of systems and data disc usage to ensure efficient use of available memory and system resource • Understanding of what is good content, design, imagery, video and graphical assets • Have a development team able to implement specific code language for RAF website Nice to Haves • Flexibility to remain Agile through contract period • Storytelling/Brand Ambassador experience and Social Media integration • Monthly Analytical reporting and feedback analysis • Understand the Tri-Service connection; Navy and Army • Knowledge of other existing RAF Websites and know not to cross pollinate messages; RAF Cadet and RAF Recruitment website • Up to date knowledge of Digital trends and technology Work Location Remotely on site of the digital agency, CMS access for Digital Media and Comms team at RAF Air Command HQ High Wycombe. Working Arrangments Work remotely from their dedicated office, with CMS access for Digital Media and Comms team at Air Command HQ. Monthly meetings to follow and communication through telephone, email and instant messenger. Security Clearance None, as all work will be done remotely, and information isn’t sensitive or secret. No work will be done on site by supplier. Additional T&Cs DEFCON 658 Edition 10/17 Cyber DEFCON 522 Edition 11/17 Payment and Recovery of Sums Due No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 6 Proposal Criteria • Have a multidisciplinary team that can design, build and operate the website, leading on information architecture and content design • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Royal Air Force Operations, NATO Alliance, Ministry of Defence. • Understanding of how the RAF works as an organisation • Proof of experience considering the Essential skills criteria • Profound knowledge of web design, user interface, user experience • Understanding the user established during Discovery, Alpha and Beta Phases • Understand the support maintenance and development of existing website design, UI and UX • High, medium and low intensity sprints required. As well as a ticketing basis to ensure work is tracked and executed effectively • Must be able to start on 26th July 2019 - Be able to start on the above date and have evidence of delivering to timescales. • Full usage rights for RAF to all animation, imagery and content Cultural Fit Criteria • Have a multidisciplinary team that can design, build and operate the website, leading on information architecture and content design. • In depth understanding of the Royal Air Force capabilities, Operations, NATO Alliance, Ministry of Defence. • Can communicate with Digital Air Media and Comms team at HQ Air Command, with regular meetings and conversations. • Collaborate with the RAF Digital team to ensure Operational Security, Personal Security and Info Risk Standards of JSF RMADs and SyOps are adhered to. • Understand the importance of Red Arrows and improve their page considering North American tour (Summer-Autumn 2019) Payment Approach Time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. Please explain “understanding of a gov.uk website” since the RAF site is on the mod.uk domain. Is this a reference to following the GDS service standard? Yes, when we require an ‘understanding of a gov.uk website’ we do mean to comply with the GDS service standard and have a clear understanding of it all - the design, functionality and communication guidelines. 2. Please specify what is meant by “specific code language for RAF website”. We assume this includes CFML and Java as these underpin Mura CMS. What other technologies are required to support / deliver the site, for instance for: the database, advanced search, DevOps, stack, etc? When we say specific code language for RAF website what we mean is to have the capability to be able to use the existing ones we use: including custom MURA code and plug ins, CFML, Java, Tomcat and MySQL. We also use Elasticsearch for our sites search engine and experience with that is essential. Also, the ability to script in Ansible, Jenkins and Nginx is essential. 3. Would this project need to be developed with a Mura CMS or could it be developed with WordPress or Drupal and be able to integrate with a Mura CMS through an API? It MUST be developed in MURA CMS as we have over 50+ Staff trained in it and want to ensure we are not expending unnecessary costs changing the CMS. 4. What are the timescales for this procurement, beyond this initial shortlisting phase? It is estimated that we would ask for proposals to be submitted W/E 21st June 2019 with Interviews conducted W/C 1st July 2019.