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Procurement details: 713212450 - Delivery of Information Defence Line Of Development Services (I-DLOD)

13

Applications submitted

Two stage

Call-off procedure

££7,700,000.00 ex VAT total budget This is broken down as follows - £3,700,000.00 for the core requirements (inclusive of £150,000.00 for Travel & Subsistence) £4,000,000.00 limit of liability for future requirements

Value

Outside scope

Off-payroll status

16 January 2025

Application Closing Date

1. Context and requirements

Which phase the project is in: Not applicable
Existing team: The Service will be required to integrate into Navy Digital which consists of 5 sub-directorates (MDA, MDDS, C5ISR, DNA and the Digital HQ, with specific focus in the C5ISR space) with approximately 270 personnel delivery across varying functions and consisting of Civil Servants, Military and contractors. Specific team structures relevant to delivery can be detailed in the start-up meeting.
Address where the work will be done: NCHQ Leach Building, Portsmouth
Working arrangements: A regular physical presence is expected however noting this is a managed service, the frequency can be determined by the supplier in line with their proposed delivery model. A monthly report will be required detailing all service levels met. Quarterly and Annually meetings to be held between the supplier and The Authority via Teams or Face to Face, to discuss any ongoing issues and performance levels.
Provide more information about your security requirements: Security Check (SC)
Provide more information about your security requirements: Developed Vetting (DV)
Latest start date: 2025-03-01
Enter the expected contract length: 2 years
Extension period: 1 year
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 5J (Edn 18/11/16) - Unique Identifiers
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 76 (Edn 11/22) - Contractor's Personnel at Government Establishments
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 129J (Edn 18/11/16) – The Use of the Electronic Business Delivery Form
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 516 (Edn 04/12) – Equality
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 520 (Edn 10/23) - Corrupt Gifts and Payments of Commission
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 522 (Edn 11/21) - Payment and Recovery of Sums Dues
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 531 (Edn 09/21) - Disclosure of Information
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 565 (Edn 12/24) - Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Awareness
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 601 (Edn 04/14) - Redundant Materiel - applies in relation to DEFCON 611
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 611 (Edn 12/22) - Issued Property
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 659A (Edn 02/24) - Security Measures
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 660 (Edn 12/15) - Official-Sensitive Security Requirements
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 671 (Edn 10/22) – Plastic Packaging Tax
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 694 (Edn 07/21) - Accounting For Property of the Authority
Special terms and conditions: DEFCON 707 (Edn 10/23) Rights in Technical Data
Write the term or acronym: I-DLOD
Write the term or acronym: IER
Write the term or acronym: NCOM
Write the term or acronym: SRO
Write the term or acronym: NIDP
Write the term or acronym: CONEMP
Write the term or acronym: CONUSE
Write the term or acronym: MDA
Write the term or acronym: MDDS
Write the term or acronym: C5ISR
Write the term or acronym: DNA
Write the term or acronym
Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes
Indicative maximum: £7,700,000.00 ex VAT total budget This is broken down as follows - £3,700,000.00 for the core requirements (inclusive of £150,000.00 for Travel & Subsistence) £4,000,000.00 limit of liability for future requirements
Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource: Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply
Summary of work: Navy Digital needs to be able to deliver the I-DLOD function to all current and future Navy Command programmes/projects, providing SROs with a service that can become confederated into their programme/project teams. Providing the specialist expertise necessary to enable the successful delivery of the I-DLOD. SROs remain responsible for delivering and meeting their programme/project mandate and responsibilities; including that of the I-DLOD, the objective is that Navy Digital will provide I-DLOD expertise ‘as-a-service’ to them. In addition, Navy Digital must be able support I-DLOD across in-service capabilities and engage early with new and emerging programmes/projects in the initial concept phase. Delivering the I-DLOD across the principal elements of Information Architecture, Information Assurance, Information Management, Reference Information, Information Exploitation has a strong dependency on the in-service needs articulated in the relevant capability concept of employment. Key to delivering the I-DLOD is analysis of the operational requirements including bandwidth dependencies, interoperability requirements, C5 equipment scaling, information security, reference, and operational data requirements, all of which must be captured, including the development the Information Exchange Requirement (IER). This requires a fully co-ordinated relationships with the Equipment – DLOD (E-DLOD) and in respect of Information Exploitation a co-ordinated approach and understanding of the concept of operation and intended operational outcomes that are to be achieved.
Where the supplied staff will work: South East England
Who the organisation using the products or services is: Ministry of Defence - Navy Command
Why the work is being done: Navy Digital needs to be able to sustain and deliver its I-DLOD Functional Leadership role. To achieve this, integrated I-DLOD expertise must be available to the Navy Digital Portfolio Management team and Technical Assurance Authority. In the Functional Leadership role Navy Digital must be able to assure the I-DLOD aspects of all programmes and projects, their supporting Submissions, Business Cases and Approvals. Going forward, this will ensure that when programmes go to the Navy Investment Decision Panel (NIDP), the I-DLOD is fully embedded. This assurance and I-DLOD governance activity is necessary so that the feasibility of information, digital and C5 aspects of programmes and projects are correctly considered and cost, resource and technical implications captured within the approval. This is to ensure that the I-DLOD is an assured capability element within any future NIDP approval.
The business problem you need to solve: UR 1 For Navy Command Programme and Projects Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) to be supplied with dedicated I-DLOD Advice, Guidance, Assurance and Enabled. Co-ordinating the I-DLOD input to all consolidated PAN-DLOD capabilities and programme/project delivery activities and outputs. UR 2 For Navy Digital to be furnished with co-ordinated management of all I-DLOD activities and outputs. Fully integrating and synchronising this with the Navy Digital Portfolio Office and its Portfolio and Programme Management processes. Integrating the I-DLOD into Navy Digital’s portfolio management and approvals processes so that I-DLOD activities and outputs are managed from a portfolio perspective. UR 3 For Navy Digital to be supplied with dedicated I-DLOD management and co-ordination functions to ensure that Navy Command programmes, projects, their supporting Submissions, Business Cases and Approvals have I-DLOD assurance and governance applied. Achieving this through a collaborative, partnership approach, working in conjunction with the Navy Digital Portfolio Office. Full Details of the user requirements can be found in the Statement of Work.
First user type: The users of this service will be internal to the Royal Navy primarily used by Navy Digital and specifically where SRO's and key stakeholders of the project and/or programme the IDLOD service is supporting. Navy Digital will be the lead customer and will support outputs of the transitional programmes and wider Navy Command.

2. Assessment Criteria
Select your pricing model: Time and materials
Additional assessment methods: Work history
Create your scoring criteria: 3
How many suppliers to evaluate: 3
Technical competence: 60
Cultural fit: 5
Social value: 10
Price: 25
Essential skills and experience: 20
Nice-to-have skills and experience (optional): 5
Technical questions: 75
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your recent experience (within 12 months) of working on a UK MOD and or comparable organisation programme/project to deliver information assurance.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 10
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Provide evidence of your understanding of the Royal Navy and MOD policies and environments, including knowledge of policies and standards.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 5
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your experience of establishing and maturing a service capable of assessing new programme or project maritime information systems and their delivery into a defence environment.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 10
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your experience of delivering a service that ensures Information Technology and digital systems are factored into maritime programmes.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 15
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Provide evidence of bridging the gap between the technical and non-technical, mediating between stakeholders and communicating at all levels to build a consensus.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 15
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your experience governing ongoing programme delivery to ensure coherence across information programmes and projects.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 15
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your experience in delivering a service approach to assuring digital projects and programmes.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 10
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate knowledge of how you ensure your information assurance solutions to the evolving maritime environment.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 5
Describe the essential skill or experience:: Demonstrate your understanding of the complexities associated with Digital solutions in both fixed and deployed Maritime environments.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 15
Describe the nice-to-have skill or experience:: Demonstrate your understanding of the Navy Digital and MOD technical environment including knowledge of existing technology and processes.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 15
Describe the nice-to-have skill or experience:: Demonstrate your expertise in representing key stakeholder interests in pan-organisation communities and working groups.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 20
Describe the nice-to-have skill or experience:: Demonstrate experience delivering coherent information assurance within a wide portfolio of programmes with considerations for wider programme implications.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 25
Describe the nice-to-have skill or experience:: Demonstrate your ability to adjust service delivery based organisational command plans to ensure user requirements are met.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 20
Describe the nice-to-have skill or experience:: Demonstrate the ability to quickly onboard new SQEP when required to grow a team.
Enter a weighting for this skill or experience in whole numbers, for example 30: 20
Explain the technical question:: Using the Statement of Work detailed in the Tender document (Annex A Statement of Work), describe your methodology and approach to deliver the User requirements listed (UR1, UR2, UR3). For the purposes of marking please ensure the proposal details the appropriate headings and sub-headings for each User requirement.
Enter a weighting for this technical question in whole numbers, for example 30: 25
Explain the technical question:: Using the Statement of Work detailed in the Tender document (Annex A Statement of Work), describe your methodology and approach to deliver the Service requirements listed (SR1, SR2, SR3, SR4, SR5, SR6, SR7). For the purposes of marking please ensure the proposal details the appropriate headings and sub-headings for each Service requirement.
Enter a weighting for this technical question in whole numbers, for example 30: 35
Explain the technical question:: Describe what structure and composition would be used in delivery of the service and specifically reference why this would meet the service requirements.
Enter a weighting for this technical question in whole numbers, for example 30: 20
Explain the technical question:: Demonstrate how the service will evolve and innovate to ensure optimisation of outcome.
Enter a weighting for this technical question in whole numbers, for example 30: 10
Explain the technical question:: Demonstrate your ability to respond to surge or change in workforce composition during the term of the contract, including access to the whole range of skills and clearances, in a suitable timeframe.
Enter a weighting for this technical question in whole numbers, for example 30: 10
Your question: Explain how you would work as a team with our organisation and with other government organisations.
Enter a weighting for this question: 20
Your question: Demonstrate how you can be transparent and collaborative when making decisions and have a no-blame culture, encouraging people to learn from their mistakes.
Enter a weighting for this question: 20
Your question: Explain how you would share knowledge and experience with other team members.
Enter a weighting for this question: 20
Your question: Explain how you would be able to work with stakeholders with mixed/low technical expertise.
Enter a weighting for this question: 20
Your question: Explain how you would consider equality & inclusion in the provision & operation of services, including a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve, where relevant and proportionate.
Enter a weighting for this question: 20
Explain the social value question: MAC3.1 - Explain how you will Create a diverse supply chain to deliver the contract including new businesses and entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals.
Enter a weighting for this question: 50
Explain the social value question: MAC4.2 - Explain how you will Influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support environmental protection and improvement.
Enter a weighting for this question: 25
Explain the social value question: MAC6.1 - Explain how you will Demonstrate action to identify and tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce.
Enter a weighting for this question: 25

3. Timeline
Publication of stage 1: December 11, 2024, 4:00 PM
Clarification period closes: January 7, 2025, 10:00 AM
Deadline for suppliers to submit their stage 1 responses: January 16, 2025, 4:00 PM

Clarification questions and responses

There are 24 questions and clarifications relating to this opportunity.

1. Core Terms Clause 9.2 stipulates that any New IPR created under a Contract is owned by the Buyer. Reference is also made to the amended wording of Core Terms Clause 3.2.3 which says that the Supplier transfers risk of the Goods on delivery and ownership of the Goods on payment for those Goods. Please confirm if the ownership of new IPR transfers to the Buyer upon payment for respective services?

Terms and Conditions including those pertaining to IPR will be made available to down-selected tenderers when the draft call-off contract order form is issued at Stage 2. However, this is expected to be in line with the CCS DOS 6 Core Terms, and with the inclusion of DEFCON 707 - Rights in Technical Data as per the Tender document that has been released.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 13:23

2. Annex 1 of the Order Form is the first Statement of Work (SOW). SOW Section 4 “Charges” says the following; Call Off Contract Charges: Capped Time and Materials (CTM) Total maximum cost for this SOW: £TBC (excluding VAT) Rate Cards Applicable: (excluding VAT) Day Rate: £TBC Maximum Day Rates for this SOW: £TBC Also, according to the Order Form, during the Call-Off Contract Period, the Buyer and Supplier may agree and execute completed Statement of Works, i.e in the future there may be additional SOWs. Also, ad-hoc Deliverables may be agreed under a separate SOW. Is there a mechanism in place for periodical adjustments of Time and Material rates?

Tenderers who are down-selected and invited to Stage 2 must specify Day Rates and quantities for each contract year for the Core Services within the Pricing Table spreadsheet. These rates and totals will be incorporated into the contract as firm prices and will not be subject to any adjustments. For the potential additional services, indicative roles and quantities have been pre-populated and down-selected tenderers will need to provide Day Rates and totals against these for evaluation purposes. Actual roles and quantities required will depend on the Authority's need for additional tasks and are not guaranteed. Please see the Pricing Table, Guidance Notes tab for full details.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 13:20

3. Order Form includes a section “Guarantee”, whereas it is marked as “TBC” Can you confirm if any guarantee will be required?

It is not anticipated that a Guarantee will be required, however the Authority retains the right to request one from the winning supplier if it is deemed necessary at contract award.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 13:14

4. According to Order Form (section “Warranty Period”) the Supplier shall provide digital and Software Deliverables with a minimum warranty of at least 90 days against all obvious defects /…/. What is the commencement date of warranty?

Any required warranty would commence from the date of delivery of the digital and/or software deliverables.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 13:13

5. Crown Commercial Service Core Terms stipulate as follows: Clause 10.2.2 Each Buyer has the right to terminate their Call-Off Contract at any time without reason by giving the Supplier not less than 90 days' written notice. Clause 10.7.3 Where the Buyer has the right to terminate a Call-Off Contract it can terminate or suspend (for any period), all or part of it. Does the above mean that the Buyer can suspend the contract without a reason, and the applicable notice period for such suspension is 30 days?

The CCS DOS 6 core Terms and Conditions will apply, including both clauses 10.2.2 and 10.7.3. As per 10.2.2, the Buyer will need to give at least 90 days notice if they wish to terminate the call-off contract for any reason.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 13:11

6. The SOW states a deadline for presentation submissions but the ITT states not applicable to this procurement – Please confirm.

Please disregard the reference to supplier presentations within the SOW timeline, this has been auto-generated by CCS and we are unable to amend it. Presentations are not required.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 11:43

7. Does TUPE apply?

As this is a new requirement with no incumbent provider, it is the Authority's opinion that TUPE will not apply.

Last Updated: 7 January 2025, 11:39

8. Attachment 1, Statement of Requirement page 10, states "Additional assessment methods - work history". Is this per team member? If not please specify.

At Stage 2, down-selected tenderers will be asked to provide a work history to summarise their key personnel who would be considered central to delivering their solution. Further guidance will be provided to down-selected tenderers at Stage 2.

Last Updated: 27 December 2024, 11:32

9. Please confirm the responses required are character count and not word count?

As per previous CQs, a 750 character limit applies to each separate response to the individual Essential and Nice-to-Have Skills & Experience. Suppliers may write an individual response of up to 750 characters for each of the 14 Skills & Experience criteria.

Last Updated: 27 December 2024, 11:18

10. Within the pricing documents you have specified a team structure of 1 x SFIA 7 I-DLOD lead 5 x SFIA 6 I-DLOD functional area leads (e.g. a sub-service platform specialist and a surface platform specialist, etc) and 1 x SFIA 3 admin support. Are you specifying that the team has to be this structure to deliver the service? In this structure is platform experience and knowledge (e.g. ships, helicopter) or technical information experience and skills (e.g. information content management, user experience specialisms, data architecture, etc) more important to you?

The roles listed in the Pricing Table on the Additional T&M tab are indicative roles for evaluation purposes only, to ensure that additional rates are evaluated on a like-for-like basis. Tenderers will be able to suggest their own service structure in the Core Services tab and the Guidance Notes within the spreadsheet specify which cells may be edited by tenderers when providing detail of their own solution. Please note that tenderers are not required to return a completed Pricing Table in Stage 1 of the procurement, this will be requested from the down-selected tenderers at Stage 2 and has been provided for information purposes only at this point in the process.

Last Updated: 17 December 2024, 12:59

11. You have specified a core contract value of £3.7M. Is this for the first 2 years only or are you expecting the optional 3rd year extension to come within this total?

The maximum budget for the Core Services in Years 1 & 2 is £2,466,666 ex VAT. The figure of £3,700,000 ex VAT would be the maximum budget for the Core Services in Years 1, 2 plus the optional extension period of Year 3. For further details please see the funding breakdown within the Invitation to Tender document, para 3.

Last Updated: 17 December 2024, 12:58

12. Please could we ask if there is an incumbent supplier?

This is a new requirement and as such there is no incumbent supplier providing this service.

Last Updated: 13 December 2024, 16:25

13. For absolute clarity does the 750 character limit (including spaces) apply to each of the nine elements of essential Skills and Experience and to each of the 5 elements of nice-to-have skills and experience, therefore 14 paragraphs each with a 750 character limit - OR - do you expect two responses, the first to cover the nine elements of essential skills and experience in less than 750 characters and a second response of no more than 750 characters that entails the 5 elements of the Nice-to-have skills and experience?

The 750 character limit applies to each separate response to the individual Essential and Nice-to-Have Skills & Experience. Suppliers may write an individual response of up to 750 characters for each of the 14 Skills & Experience criteria.

Last Updated: 12 December 2024, 11:08

14. Can the Authority please clarify the wording of Q8 in the Essential skills and experience question table? "Demonstrate knowledge of how you ensure your information assurance solutions to the evolving maritime environment."

The maritime environment is continually evolving. Demonstrate how your proposed service can be evolved to meet the changing demands of the Royal Navy.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:14

15. How many people are expected to have DV clearance, will DV clearance be required upon Contract Award?

A minimum of one DV at contract start. Further DV cleared personnel at the supplier's discretion to deliver the service effectively.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:13

16. How many Projects/Programmes will the I-DLOD be responsible and how is this broken down across MDA, MDDS, C5ISR, DNA and the Digital HQ?

Those listed in Appendix 1 of the tender document, noting that this will evolve as projects mature and new projects/programmes stand up.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:10

17. What Management Information Apps are currently being used?

MS Office/Teams/SharePoint.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:06

18. What systems will need I-DLOD ownership?

No systems will require direct ownership by the supplier of the IDLOD service. The current projects requiring IDLOD support are listed at Appendix 1 of the tender document. This will inevitably vary as new projects and programmes are stood up. The supplier will be expected to provide support for the four priority programmes listed within the first six months, scaling up to support the others in a phased manner.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:04

19. What are the responsibilities of the I-DLOD?

The IDLOD is described in the tender document Annex 1 SOW.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:02

20. What are the responsibilities of the I-DLOD?

The IDLOD is described in the tender document Annex 1 SOW.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 14:01

21. What is the estimated resource demand to provide the I-DLOD as a managed service?

This would be for the supplier to ascertain within their bid, noting the four priority transformation programmes to be supported within the first six months of delivery. It would be for the supplier to decide how to scale up the service. An indicative list of current programmes to be supported is at Appendix 1 Para 2 of the tender document.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 13:58

22. Does this requirement only apply to shoreside systems or inclusive of systems afloat?

Both ashore and afloat.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 13:50

23. There is no detail on the provision of any previous IDLOD artefacts that Navy Digital may have produced in the past for the four transitional programmes mentioned in the SoR, namely: Vanguard to Dreadnought SSBN  Frigate Transition Programme (T23 to T26 and T31)  UK Commando Forces/Littoral Strike  Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) including Autonomous capabilities.   Please can you clarify what, if any, existing I-DLOD information/artefacts there are for these programmes which the supplier shall be able to access on contract award and upon which the supplier is expected to develop and mature into a robust IDLOD output / function within Navy Digital.

This is a new capability standing up to address coherence issues across existing programmes. Any existing IDLOD artefacts will have been developed within existing programmes and projects and will not have been subject to Navy Digital oversight. It is anticipated that an incoming supplier would conduct a period of discovery across current programmes to establish the baseline.

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 13:47

24. In the Invitation to Tender Reference 713212450,(document: ocds-pfhb7i-63193-713212450-I-DLODCCSDOS6Tender-o) under Service Requirement there appears to be a typo under SR6 as follows: SR 6. To provide Navy Digital with I-DLOD functional assurance, that will integrate, co-ordinate and collaborate with the Navy Digitals Portfolio Assurance activities and reporting. Including: -  SR 5.1 The I-DLOD aspects of Business Cases and Review Notes etc.,   SR 5.2 I-DLOD SME input to the Navy Digital Technical Assurance Authority (NDTAA)  Can you clarify that these two sub requirements should be numbered as SR6.1 and SR6.2?

Yes, this is a typo

Last Updated: 10 January 2025, 13:30

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