OF1050 - Software development

Description

Pre-market engagement Discussions with suppliers at DigiGov Expo 24th - 25th September, ExCeL, London. Discussions covered Ofqual's context as described on our about us page and our approach to strategic partnership, including our skills needs as set out in this tender. About us page link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual/about?utm_source=Homepage_link&utm_medium=Homepage_link&utm_campaign=Homepage_link Which phase the project is in Live Existing team Ofqual’s Digital and Data function is a multi-disciplinary capability that supports the design, development, and operation of digital services and data platforms. The team comprises approximately 30-35 roles across product management, software development, data engineering, quality assurance, user-centred design, and infrastructure. The team operates primarily through two multi-disciplinary squads, each combining product, delivery, design, development, and assurance expertise. These squads work in an agile delivery model, enabling iterative improvements to existing services and the development of new functionality. They collaborate closely with business stakeholders to ensure solutions meet regulatory requirements and user needs. Core functions include: Software Development Data Engineering and Management Product and Design Quality Assurance Infrastructure and Support Address where the work will be done Remote working based in UK or Registered office 2nd floor, 1 Friargate, Station Square, Coventry, CV1 2GN, UK Working arrangements Supplier staff will work remotely and integrate into Ofqual’s existing agile delivery model. They will be embedded within two multi-disciplinary squads, alongside Ofqual’s internal developers, product managers, user-centred design specialists, and quality assurance roles. This approach ensures seamless collaboration, knowledge sharing, and alignment with Ofqual’s standards and ways of working. The supplier will be expected to: Participate fully in squad ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives. Use Ofqual’s approved collaboration tools for communication, documentation, and code management. Follow Ofqual’s development standards, security practices, and accessibility guidelines. Work under the direction of Ofqual’s product and delivery managers to deliver agreed backlog items and meet defined acceptance criteria. Provide more information about your security requirements: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Latest start date 2026-04-01 Enter the expected contract length: 1 year Extension period: 1 year Special terms and conditions • Cyber Essentials Plus • ISO27001 Certified • Supply of resources within 2 weeks (10 working days) from request Write the term or acronym: SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) Write the term or acronym: API (Application Programming Interface) Write the term or acronym: REST (Representational State Transfer) Write the term or acronym: OAuth2 Write the term or acronym: JWT (JSON Web Token) Write the term or acronym: Carbon Design System Write the term or acronym: Drupal Write the term or acronym: SuiteCRM Write the term or acronym: Cloud-native Write the term or acronym: CI/CD (Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment) Write the term or acronym: Observability Write the term or acronym: Logging Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes Indicative maximum: 100000 Provide further information: This budget is for 1 year. Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource Supply of resource: the off-payroll rules may apply Summary of work Ofqual requires specialist software development resources to support the delivery and enhancement of its digital services and internal systems. This work will ensure that Ofqual’s platforms remain secure, performant and aligned with user needs while meeting regulatory and organisational objectives. The primary goal is to provide skilled resources across SFIA Levels 3–7 to deliver high-quality software solutions. These roles include Software Developers, Frontend Developers and Technical Architects within the software domain. The successful supplier will work collaboratively with Ofqual’s internal teams to design, develop and maintain applications that underpin critical business processes. The problem we are addressing is the need for flexible, expert capability to maintain and improve existing systems while enabling new functionality. Ofqual’s technology stack includes Drupal and SuiteCRM which require ongoing development and integration to support operational efficiency and user experience. Additionally, organisation is adopting modern cloud-native practices to ensure resilience, scalability and security. Key areas of focus include: Drupal & SuiteCRM Development: Custom module development, PHP fundamentals and integration with the Carbon Design System to deliver accessible and consistent user interfaces. API Development & Integration: Designing and consuming REST APIs, implementing secure authentication mechanisms such as OAuth2 and JWT and ensuring interoperability between systems. Cloud-native Practices: Applying secure coding standards, optimising performance and embedding observability and logging to support proactive monitoring and troubleshooting. This work will enable Ofqual to continue delivering reliable, user-centred digital services that meet regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. Suppliers should demonstrate experience in similar projects, strong technical expertise and the ability to work within an agile, collaborative environment. Where the supplied staff will work No specific location (for example they can work remotely) Who is the organisation using the products or services THE OFFICE OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS REGULATION (Ofqual) Why the work is being done Ofqual is the regulator of qualifications, exams, and assessments in England. To fulfil its statutory responsibilities, Ofqual relies on a range of digital services and internal systems that support critical business processes, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory oversight. These systems must remain secure, reliable, and aligned with user needs to ensure confidence in the qualifications system. Currently, Ofqual’s digital platforms require ongoing development and enhancement to maintain compliance with accessibility standards, improve user experience, and support operational efficiency. Existing services, while functional, need continuous improvement to meet evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. Additionally, Ofqual is adopting modern cloud-native practices to ensure resilience, scalability, and security across its technology estate. The work is being commissioned to address the need for flexible, expert capability in software development. This includes maintaining and improving existing applications, integrating new functionality, and embedding best practices in secure coding and performance optimisation. Without this capability, Ofqual risks delays in delivering essential digital services, reduced system reliability, and potential non-compliance with government standards. This procurement supports Ofqual’s organisational goal of delivering user-centred, accessible, and secure digital services that underpin its regulatory functions. It aligns with government policy on digital transformation and accessibility, ensuring services meet WCAG standards and GDS principles. The business problem you need to solve Ofqual requires specialist software development resources to support the delivery and enhancement of its digital services and internal systems. This work will ensure that Ofqual’s platforms remain secure, performant and aligned with user needs while meeting regulatory and organisational objectives. The primary goal is to provide skilled resources across SFIA Levels 3–7 to deliver high-quality software solutions. These roles include Software Developers, Frontend Developers and Technical Architects within the software domain. The successful supplier will work collaboratively with Ofqual’s internal teams to design, develop and maintain applications that underpin critical business processes. The problem we are addressing is the need for flexible, expert capability to maintain and improve existing systems while enabling new functionality. Ofqual’s technology stack includes Drupal and SuiteCRM which require ongoing development and integration to support operational efficiency and user experience. Additionally, organisation is adopting modern cloud-native practices to ensure resilience, scalability and security. Key areas of focus include: Drupal & SuiteCRM Development: Custom module development, PHP fundamentals and integration with the Carbon Design System to deliver accessible and consistent user interfaces. API Development & Integration: Designing and consuming REST APIs, implementing secure authentication mechanisms such as OAuth2 and JWT and ensuring interoperability between systems. Cloud-native Practices: Applying secure coding standards, optimising performance and embedding observability and logging to support proactive monitoring and troubleshooting. This work will enable Ofqual to continue delivering reliable, user-centred digital services that meet regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. Suppliers should demonstrate experience in similar projects, strong technical expertise and the ability to work within an agile, collaborative environment. First user type: As an internal business user First user type: As a compliance officer First user type: As a technical architect First user type: As a product owner First user type: As a service designer First user type: As a citizen accessing Ofqual’s public services First user type: As a regulated awarding organisation