Developing and embedding Hackney Council’s technology function

Description

Summary of the work Hackney Council is looking for a team to lead the continued development and embedding of our future technology function. Over the last five years our ambitious technology strategy has included migration to cloud based platforms and the development of a powerful API platform, based on modern, open source software. Expected Contract Length 2 years Latest start date Monday 18 July 2022 Budget Range We expect to spend up to £480,000 + VAT over the proposed two year engagement. We will collaboratively agree smaller phases through Statements of Work to ensure we continue to meet user needs. Why the Work is Being Done Hackney has an ambitious mission of replacing legacy local government technology with the best modern, cloud based services available so that we can provide high performing, user focused services for our residents and businesses. We are developing our team and skills to deliver this. We have: Migrated to cloud platforms: replacing legacy infrastructure with a hybrid cloud model that combines modern, software-as-a-service applications, supplier hosted services and a best-in-class AWS deployment. Developed a powerful API platform: that enables the delivery of modern, integrated digital services. Extended our cyber security capabilities: including work with partners across London local government to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in response to growing cyber threats. In October 2020 Hackney suffered a serious, criminal cyberattack which meant that the Council’s legacy systems were unavailable. The cloud based services we had already implemented continued to operate without interruption and have provided the most rapid path for recovery. Work is currently in progress to restructure the Council’s ICT service, reflecting the platforms we now use. As part of the new structure, the Council is working to establish a best-in-class technology function that will build on our existing strengths and provide a sustainable service structure for the long term. Problem to Be Solved We have worked closely with AWS and other external experts to develop a robust, standards based technology platform. This is documented in our playbook: https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk/#. We expect to start consultation with staff on a new structure shortly. To support this important change we are looking for a team to provide leadership for the new technology function, continue the development of our standards and practices, and ensure these are embedded for the long term. We’re proposing a two year engagement based on: Year one: leading the continued development of the technology function and embedding the new structure. Year two: phased transition to a long-term in-house service. We anticipate the following areas of focus: Skills & Capabilities: leading skills development across the in-house team, continuing development of our technical and commercial practices, and embedding a robust, secure and high performing service model. Culture & Mindset: continuing the development of modern, cloud practices across the service, and influencing change across the wider local government sector. Products & Services: leading continued development of our cloud platform (currently based on AWS), API platform, and cyber security practice. Systems & Processes: continuing to develop robust, well documented, and standards based working practices across the technology function. Who Are the Users At a very high level, the user needs for our technology service are: As a resident, I need to have confidence in the Council’s ability to operate its services efficiently, to provide user focused services, and to be trusted with my data. As a member of Council staff, I need to have confidence that the systems I need for my work will be high performing, reliable and easily accessible wherever I am working. As a senior Hackney leader, I need to be able to trust that the Council’s technology platform will be robust, reliable and secure, and will enable the change and transformation that my services are required to deliver. As an engineer, I need to create reusable tools and processes which require minimal maintenance so that I can focus on developing and improving the technology platform. As a member of the security team, I need to have assurance that the Council’s systems and data are protected against cyber threats. Work Already Done To date the Council has: Migrated from a traditional ‘on-premise’ platform to a hybrid cloud model. Developed an extensive API platform, based on open source code and standards. Extended our cyber security capabilities, including collaborative work with partners in London’s local government to explore opportunities to develop pan-London cyber capabilities. Established governance arrangements, including technical design and cybersecurity. Invested in in-house skills and capacity, including our sector leading digital apprenticeship programme. Existing Team Hackney would expect to provide: Senior people to lead individual service areas Engineers (up to and including senior levels) Access to additional skills (eg user research and delivery management) where needed We expect a senior individual to lead the engagement, initially on a full-time basis, reducing on a tapered basis in year two as part of a managed transition, supported by other experts as required. The successful agency will bring particular value through: Significant people and technology leadership skills, with experience of the platforms the Council has deployed. Substantial cyber security expertise. Demonstrable expertise in skills development at all levels. Current Phase Live Skills & Experience • Demonstrate extensive expertise in modern, cloud technologies and their application in a large business environment. • Demonstrate substantial cyber-security expertise and leadership. • Demonstrate a track record of user-centred design and Agile approaches to delivery. • Demonstrate a track record of mentoring apprentices, junior engineers and teams to become self-sufficient. • Experience of solution architecture within a broader organisational framework to achieve security, resilience and value for money. • Experience of developing ‘in the open’ - using tools such as Github. • Demonstrate an understanding of Hackney’s approach to technology and data as set out on https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk. Work Location The Council's main offices are located at: Hackney Service Centre 1 Hillman Street London E8 1DY Working Arrangments Hackney Council has adopted hybrid working arrangements, with staff working in our offices for c 2 days / week and from home on other days. This will vary by service need and the nature of people's roles. We expect that this engagement will be delivered in line with our hybrid working arrangements, with some of the work located in our main offices in Hackney Central and other work carried out remotely. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 5 Proposal Criteria • Technical solution: including experience of technologies used by the Council • Approach and methodology • Team structure and expertise • Value for money Cultural Fit Criteria • We expect suppliers to share Hackney’s commitment to diversity and describe how they would successfully work with Hackney and other suppliers in a diverse environment and actively promote diversity. • Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers. • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions. • Share knowledge and experience with team members and the wider service. • Demonstrate sustained commitment to building in-house skills, knowledge and capacity. Payment Approach Time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 15% Price 35% Questions from Suppliers 1. Which supplier delivered -The Discovery?The Alpha?The Beta? This work relates to the further development and iteration of a live operational service. This will build on work previously delivered through a number of projects we have procured through the Digital Marketplace. You can view our previous Digital Outcomes opportunities and details of contract awards here: https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities?page=1&statusOpenClosed=open&statusOpenClosed=closed&q=hackney. 2. Is there an incumbent? No. Hackney Council uses the Digital Marketplace extensively to source expert support for our work and works with a wide range of suppliers. You can view our previous Digital Outcomes opportunities and details of contract awards here: https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities?page=1&statusOpenClosed=open&statusOpenClosed=closed&q=hackney. 3. Your procurement timelines/process for the shortlisted firms? – E.g. Proposal/Presentation/Timings/Etc. Evaluations of submitted bids will take place on 24 June 2022. 4. The job roles of the evaluation panel? Strategic Director, Customer & WorkplaceDevelopment ManagerLead Security PractitionerSenior Cloud DevOps Engineer 5. Is there an incumbent supplier? No. Hackney Council uses the Digital Marketplace extensively to source expert support for our work and works with a wide range of suppliers. You can view our previous Digital Outcomes opportunities and details of contract awards here: https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities?page=1&statusOpenClosed=open&statusOpenClosed=closed&q=hackney. 6. Can a geographically distributed team be used, some of which are outside the UK, and some local who can be on-site when needed or do all the staff have to be able to meet the onsite requirements? As outlined in the brief, we expect that some of the work will be delivered on site co-located with our in-house team. We are comfortable with a distributed team based in UK and EEA, but would not be able to accept bids with team members based outside the EEA. 7. We understand you have established a plan for the creation of a new technology function. Are you able to share any further details about that function e.g. how it will be structured, what its main responsibilities are, how its activities will be governed please?You referred to the fact that you have recently extended your cyber security capabilities. Are you able to provide any more details on what these new capabilities are, what state they are in and what benefits they are delivering please?Aside from GitHub and AWS. Are there any other technologies that we should be aware of? Our new technology function will be responsible for our cloud platform (currently using AWS), our API platform (details here: https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk/API-Playbook/), and our cyber assurance function.Details of the work we have procured to support out cyber assurance developments are available on the Digital Marketplace.Information about the technologies we use is available here: https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk/tech-radar. 8. You outline that you have developed an extensive API platform. Can you provide a summary of the type of development and integration activities Hackney council have used this platform for ?Can you provide examples of the types of products and services you have delivered using a user centered design and agile approach ?Are there any data analytics related services / solutions related to this contract award ? i.e. data warehouse, business intelligence, data science. Details of our API platform are available here: https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk/API-Playbook/.Information about the products and services we are developing is available on our blog: https://blogs.hackney.gov.uk.One of our priority projects is the development of our data platform. Information about this project is available on our blog (https://blogs.hackney.gov.uk). The data platform work is led by our Data & Insight team, who are part of the Council’s ICT service but managed by our Head of Customer Services, Digital & Data (a separate part of the service). 9. Are there any mandatory cyber security accreditations required? We would want to see:* Substantial experience of leading cyber assurance in a complex business and technology environment. This could be on the supplier side or within a Government department / agency / Council, or a large business environment.* Evidence of delivering services that are accredited at Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001 or similar. 10. Can you confirm please: are you looking for the supplier to assist/drive the creation of a Target Operating Model (functions, processes, measures, roles & responsibilities, governance etc) plus support the implementation of that model OR to only supplement the existing team at Hackney Council with expert resources to drive delivery whilst embedding good working practice, governance and mentoring? We are looking for a supplier who will support us in implementing our new operating model, covering management of our cloud platform (AWS), API platform (see our Developer Hub: https://developer-api.hackney.gov.uk/) and cyber assurance. The supplier will lead the teams as we transition to this new operating model; lead the development and embedding of ways of working, processes, skills and team culture; and ensure the successful transition to fully in-house leadership by the end of the contract period. As per the opportunity details, we’re expecting a lead individual supported by other expert people as needed to deliver the outcomes. 11. 1. Is there a list of applications migrated to the cloud?2. Is there a list of API’s created?3. Is there a design document for the cloud migration? 4. Is there a design document for the API platform? 5. Is there an organisation diagram for the future technology function>4. Is there a list all technologies deployed across the counciL? Please see the details published on our playbook: https://playbook.hackney.gov.uk.