Group Business Intelligence Service (GBIS) Urgent Support

Description

Summary of work *Note to suppliers: This requirement is a direct replacement for previously published; ocds-pfhb7i-36629 Group Business Intelligence Service (GBIS) Urgent Support* Network Rail require a delivery partner to provide urgent DDaT support for their Group Business Intelligence Service (GBIS). The successful supplier will provide the capability and capacity to deliver on multiple, urgent, time-constrained outcomes (within scope of the overarching contract) and possess the ability to onboard individuals and teams at short notice - 10 working days from a Statement of Work (SoW) being agreed. Where the supplied staff will work North West England Where the supplied staff will work No specific location (for example they can work remotely) Why the work is being done There is a need for a flexible supplier to respond to urgent requests received by Network Rail's Group Business Intelligence Service from its customers. The proposed contract will enable GBIS to access the market for support in delivering urgent Business Intelligence projects where resources are required within 10 working days of a Statement of Work (SoW) being agreed. The Contracting Authority are looking for a supplier that can provide Agile Multidisciplinary Teams and individuals, if required, to work with GBIS and its customers to supplement the existing team in delivering clearly defined, time-bound outcomes. Core capabilities for the proposed contract are:  Data strategy  Data visualisation  Cloud architecture  Data architecture  Data governance (e.g. Microsoft Purview)  Data engineering  Digital upskilling This contract will allow time-critical work to commence while alternative arrangements are made. All agreed deliverables (SoWs) will be in scope of the overarching, agreed contractual outcomes. SoWs will be managed by Network Rail's GBIS Technical Lead to ensure compliance. The business problem GBIS was set up to support and provide Data, Analytics and Business Intelligence Services to Network Rail customers including Routes, Regions and Central Functions. The operating model was designed (around 3 years ago) in consultation with those customers to make sure GBIS delivered the outcomes they required. Since then, GBIS has seen the demand for their services evolve and are seeking options that enable them to continue to deliver the services needed by customers across Network Rail. The current challenge is how to meet this evolving demand. Customers from across Network Rail (NR) are now requesting more design and delivery services in addition to the expected demand. GBIS subject matter expertise (SME) knowledge and experience is also being used significantly to support NR in its major transformation of its technology platforms. With the reduced capacity of the service this means that GBIS are not able to fully meet their customers current needs. GBIS possess the expertise to help shape the solutions and support their customers, however, require support to deliver on projects and programmes that have pre-agreed investment and budget in place. The people who will use the product or service User type: Network Rail Customers (Routes, Regions and Central Functions) Definition: Need the Data, Analytics and Business Intelligence to design and deliver major transformation of its technology platforms. Which phase the project is in Not applicable Existing team The existing team consists of Head of Group BI Service, Head of data Engineering, 3 x Lead Data Engineers, 4 x Data Modellers. A Head of Service Development, 2 x Capability Managers, a Lead Visualisation Manager, 2 x Visualisation Authors and a Customer Support role. Address where the work will be done The office locations for this co-located team are; Square One, 4 Travis St, Manchester M1 2NY and; The Quadrant, Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1EN. In addition the team work flexibly from home or other based office locations depending on customer requirement. Working arrangements Supplier resources will work as part of a blended delivery team, working remotely but using Network Rail supplied equipment, Monday-Friday usual office hours. More flexibility may be arranged by mutual agreement after an initial onboarding process. We expect team(s) to reflect the roles and capabilities listed in the Essential Skills section. Team(s) will work in the Agile delivery methodology, or 'Waterfall', or in a hybrid of both disciplines. Security and vetting requirements Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) More information about the Security requirements: Higher levels of security clearance may be required on an individual SoW basis. Latest start date 2 April 2024 Expected contract length Contract length: 2 years 0 months 0 days Optional extension: 1 years 0 months 0 days Budget Indicative maximum: £4000000 Indicative minimum: £1 Further information: The Contracting Authority reserve the right to flex up/down as required and clearly state that there is zero commitment to spend. Contracted out service or supply of resource? Supply of resource: the off-payroll rules may apply Questions and Clarifications 1. For Q3 of the essential criteria, please could you specify what is meant by ‘process re-design’? When referring to organisation and process re-design, we are talking about complex transformation programmes Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 2. Could the Authority please confirm why this opportunity was withdrawn and reissued. The opportunity was withdrawn due to unforeseen circumstances relating to internal resource required to relay adequate information relating to clarification(s) received. Last Updated : <strong>22/01/2024</strong> 3. Could the Authority please confirm what has changed from the last iteration of this opportunity and the current iteration. Scope and assessment criteria remain unchanged. Last Updated : <strong>22/01/2024</strong> 4. Could you please confirm your word / character count with this stage 1 response and that it is in line/approved by CCS? The guide for buyers to publish a response to the suppliers using this framework clearly states a 750 character count for fair evaluation. Instruction for buyers are shown on page 9 in the RM1043.8 Buyer Guide. 'Suppliers are requested to provide an individual response against each of your questions. Each response should not exceed 750 characters in length (the equivalent of about 150 words). You have the discretion to exclude any supplier who exceeds this limit, or to evaluate only the first 750 characters of their response. You must treat all suppliers fairly and equally. This step corresponds to step 4 on CAS, “Do evaluation'. Network Rail will permit 200 words per response. Hyphenated responses, including the use of '/' and abbreviations to get around the word count will not be permitted. We have ensured all suppliers are treated fairly by stating this word count up-front. All suppliers will have equal and fair opportunity to respond. Last Updated : <strong>22/01/2024</strong> 5. In answering your Essential Skills and Experience questions, some state "please give examples". CCS guidance on previous DOS iterations specified one project example per question. Can you confirm how many examples you expect per question, is it one or multiple examples? We would recommend one example as any more will be difficult within the word limits. You will not however be penalised for more than one reference. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 6. Can you define what the governance model is that needs to be aligned to in Essential Skills and Experience Q9? Is this Network Rail's governance model or another model? If Network Rail's governance model needs to be aligned to, would it be possible to provide further information on this model? We're looking for experience of adhering to rules and regulatory controls that govern an organisation. Your example need not be specific to Network Rail. Network Rail as an arms length government body is duty bound to deliver value to the UK tax payer and fare paying passengers and therefore following industry best practice, ISO Standards and all UK Law. This takes multiple forms such as the UK's National Data Strategy, The ORR our regulator and multiple internal standards that ensure that we act fairly, appropriately, with integrity and responsibly at all times. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 7. We note your confirmation in previous clarifications that there is no incumbent. Are the services under this Tender considered to be essentially the same as any existing services that are being perform internally? If so, are the staff members involved principal purpose to deliver these existing services or do they spend the majority of their time carrying these out presently? Please provide further details in this regard. Services provided under this contract will be an extension of those currently offered by the GBIS Team. We are currently unable to mobilise projects due to lack of capacity to do so and would expect the successful supplier to help the GBIS Team deliver required outcomes to Network Rail business units. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 8. In the event that you feel that TUPE is not relevant, can you please outline your reasoning for this confirmation. TUPE is not relevant. The successful supplier will be required to deliver clearly defined, time-bound outcomes as part of this contract. Outcomes and Deliverables will be articulated on a SoW by SoW basis. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 9. We note from a review of the ITT that there appears to be 15 staff within Network Rail involved in this engagement. Can you please confirm that it is not anticipated that any of these staff would transfer to the successful supplier on award. No transfer of staff. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 10. Can you please confirm that there will be no staff transfer (either 1st generation or 2nd generation) at the Start Date, and that Part C of Call-Off Schedule 2 will be applied in the Order Form. You will notice from the wording contained in Call-Off Schedule 2, that Part A to E are referred to. Depending on whether or not a staff transfer is anticipated, the various parts of the Schedule are applied at every Call Off. Our understanding would be that there is no staff transfer and accordingly Part C is the relevant one which applies. Please confirm this is your understanding. No transfer of staff. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 11. We note that no definition of wilful misconduct has been provided within the definitions should. Can you please therefore confirm your agreement to the inclusion of the following definition in order to clarify this term: “Wilful Misconduct” acting or omitting to act in breach of a duty owed to the Buyer in circumstances where the person so acting or omitting to act on behalf of the Supplier or a Subcontractor is aware both that so acting or omitting to act would be a breach of duty, and that there is a significant risk that so acting or omitting to act may cause substantial harm to the Buyer’s interests, but nevertheless proceeds without reasonable justification to commit such a breach of duty in deliberate disregard for the Buyer’s interests. Contractual clauses and definitions will be negotiated/agreed with the successful supplier. The DOS 6 framework agreement and all clauses and interpretations therein should be referred to. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 12. To what extent is there an expectation that deliverables/reports will be shared with third parties? Any deliverables/reports created will be the sole property of Network Rail Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 13. If deliverables are to be shared with third parties, can non-branded deliverables be used for the benefit of Third Parties and will it be possible for such Third Parties to agree to the execution of hold harmless letters in order to protect proposed Suppliers against reliance claims? Any deliverables/reports created will be the sole property of Network Rail Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 14. Please confirm if you would be open to including an Immediate Termination clause to allow professional services firms to terminate, if continuing to undertake the services would place them in breach of their professional or regulatory obligations. Further to this regulatory obligation, it would be expected that where the Contract is to be assigned or novated, that notice of such intention would be given. To be negotiated at contract award stage. For clarity, we expect all suppliers to act in accordance with professional or regulatory obligations. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 15. The response submission file format is .odt. Would you accept submissions in the Word (i.e. .docx) or PDF (i.e. pdf) formats? Please submit all responses in the requested format for expediency when evaluating/collating the responses. Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 16. In the response to questions, is it ok to use a table to summarise part of the response? Yes Last Updated : <strong>24/01/2024</strong> 17. With regard to question on "Experience of delivering and supporting complex transformation programmes within government", can our response align to UK government or others as well. Please specify. Please provide the closest example possible if a UK Government example or equivalent is not available. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 18. With regard to question on "Experience of delivering complex projects / programmes in-line with Government service design principles", can our response align to UK Government or others as well. Please specify. Your response should align with UK Government or display an acumen for adhering to similar standards; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-design-principles Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 19. With regard to question on "Experience of maintaining programme alignment to existing governance model.", can you please clarify the existing governance model mentioned. Tell us about experience you've had maintaining this alignment to governance models of organisations you've worked with/for. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 20. With regard to question on "Experience of maintaining programme alignment to existing governance model.", can you please clarify the existing governance model mentioned. Tell us about experience you've had maintaining this alignment to governance models of organisations you've worked with/for. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 21. For the nice-to-have questions, are you expecting examples from previous contract deliveries? Please try to evidence all responses. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 22. In Q1 of the nice-to-have criteria, please could you confirm whether ‘values’ refers to cultural values across the organisation or delivery values? We are referring to cultural values. There may be a crossover with delivery values however. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 23. Will Network Rail allow a supplier to submit a bid as part of a consortium while at the same time allow them to submit a separate bid as a single supplier? Yes, there will need to be a lead supplier for the bid. Please ensure this is not the same organisation for both. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 24. Can you please define if developing service owner capability in Essential Skills and Experience Q10 is referring to developing the service and building capability within the Network Rail organisation? Yes. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 25. Is it acceptable to Network Rail that bidders use abbreviations in certain contexts. For example, DDaT instead of Digital, Data and Technology, NR instead of Network Rail, customer’s names etc. Also is the use of dashes acceptable where it is common practice e.g. short-term, long-term. Abbreviations, if obvious and within context, such as DDaT or NR will be acceptable. Please refrain from using dashes, unless grammatically correct. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 26. The bid pack published states Time and Materials, but response to previous CQs suggests Fixed Priced. Please confirm pricing model for this contract: a. Time and Materials b. Capped Time and Materials c. Fixed Price Statements of Work will require a fixed price upfront bit will consist of a Time and materials breakdown which will be based on prices submitted at the assessment stage. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 27. Please confirm if each SOW will be subject to the same pricing model? Each SoW will use your submitted pricing (stage 2) as the basis. If successful, your pricing will need to remain consistent with your offering at evaluation. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 28. In the interest of fair evaluation and potential use of blended rates, will you require suppliers to provide a separate rate card for offshore and onshore resources? We will request day rates for specific roles and SFIA competency levels. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 29. Can you confirm if the £4m maximum budget is for the 2 year initial contract term or the whole 2+1 contract period? £4m has been allocated for the initial 2 year period. Further approvals would be required in order to extend. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 30. To assist the supplier in mobilising effectively, can NR provide any sort of picture (or pipeline) as to how the first few months (after award) might look? We require a supplier that has the capacity to facilitate fluctuating demand. We would expect to work with the successful supplier to maintain a "live" pipeline of requirements. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 31. We assume the supplier can swap out resources with equivalent resources during the course of the contract, please can you confirm? Yes. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong> 32. Hi, With regard to the question 'How do you promote Health & Safety as an organisation?', is this in relation to our internal processes or those specifically relating to our approach on customer project work? Both. Last Updated : <strong>29/01/2024</strong>