Oxford-Cambridge Arc Data Observatory (Joint Digital Evidence Base) Alpha

Description

Summary of the work MHCLG recently completed a discovery into creating a shared digital evidence base to support the Spatial Framework for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. This alpha phase will seek to test and develop: an open evidence base production; a prototype for a shared digital evidence base and a collaboration space across the Arc. Expected Contract Length 10 to 12 weeks Latest start date Monday 10 May 2021 Budget Range The contract is expected to have a budget in the region of £100,000 to £125,000 (excluding VAT). Why the Work is Being Done MHCLG is leading on the development of a long-term Spatial Framework - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-sustainable-growth-in-the-oxford-cambridge-arc-spatial-framework/planning-for-sustainable-growth-in-the-oxford-cambridge-arc-an-introduction-to-the-spatial-framework - for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. We want to support best use of data and digital tools in the development of the Framework, and create a long-term resource for local and national plan-making (including transport planning), policy-making and investment decisions. In the discovery, MHCLG explored best practice, existing tools and standards that are used across the Arc for evidence base production relating to Local Planning Authorities, transport planning authorities, government agencies and government departments in the Arc. The discovery showed the need for developing an open, transparent and authoritative approach to designing, commissioning and publishing evidence base studies. It showed the need for developing a joint digital evidence base repository with ‘best’ data standards alongside the Spatial Framework, and a collaboration space for Local Planning Authorities to establish a ‘community of practice’. This work will contribute to ensuring that the joint digital evidence base can aid the Spatial Framework. Through establishing standardised digital formats, the information will move from documents to data, and will become interoperable. This will enable us to have a strategic overview across the Arc and greater collaboration between Local Planning Authorities. Problem to Be Solved We want to: ● Test and develop a shared digital evidence base repository. ● Test and develop an open, transparent and authoritative approach to designing, commissioning and publishing evidence base studies and their foundational data. ● Develop a data standard for the evidence base required for developing the Spatial Framework and local planning. ● Test and develop a collaboration space for local planning authorities to establish a ‘community of practice’. We would also like to: ● Test and refine approaches for presenting elements and data of the spatial framework with users, including members of the local community. ● Investigate approaches for analysing and collecting the datasets used as evidence to inform each of the policies contained in the Spatial Framework. Who Are the Users As a local planning officer and local council partner (i.e. transport providers), I want an open approach to commissioning evidence base studies and their foundational data. I want all information stored as linked data in one place and relate to my local or neighbouring planning authority. Access to standardised data will make it easier to inform cross-boundary strategic planning and analyse potential opportunities/constraints with neighbouring authorities. As a decision-making stakeholder (i.e. infrastructure provider or housing developer) I want any data required to make a decision to have the most recent, reliable information to provide evidence for any investment decisions. As a local politician, planning decisions should be informed by a robust evidence base. If a decision was challenged, I would draw upon resources that were easy to find and to support decision-making. As a government planning officer, I would need local evidence base documents to understand the cumulative impact of development, and be able to advise Ministers on strategic investments and decision-making. As a resident in the planning process, I want information that is accessible, easy to understand and up-to-date, so communities can engage with local plan-making consultations. Early Market Engagement To support the Spatial Framework, MHCLG recently completed a discovery - https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities/12737 - to seek out the opportunities in creating a shared digital evidence base. This alpha phase will seek to test different approaches on open evidence base production, creating the prototype for a shared digital evidence base across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc with ‘best’ data standards, as well as providing a collaboration space for Local Planning Authorities. Work Already Done MHCLG has completed a discovery - https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/digital-outcomes-and-specialists/opportunities/12737 - into users and needs of the people who will use or benefit from creating a shared digital evidence base, as well as existing tools and opportunities for scaling up across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. The Digital Land team within MHCLG, have run various projects into Local Plans, Brownfield sites and Developer Contributions which have set data standards, created prototypes and made data easier to find, understand, use and trust. The work completed to date on these projects and their lessons learnt can be taken forward into this alpha phase - https://digital-land.github.io/project/ Existing Team Suppliers will collaborate with the OxCam team and Digital Land Team - https://digital-land.github.io/about/ - in MHCLG, who will support and advise on technical aspects. Suppliers will need to collaborate with other suppliers working on projects that align with this work. Our current teams have user research, content, service and interaction design capability. We also have policy specialists, data scientists, business analysts and developers. The supplier team should include a Service Designer, an Interaction Designer, a Content Designer, a Data Scientist / Data Standards Specialist and a User Researcher. Some delivery management is desirable. Not all roles need to be full-time. Current Phase Alpha Skills & Experience • Have experience of delivering alphas in line within the Government Service Manual. • Have experience of recruiting users for research. • Have experience of delivering user-centred solutions to problems. • Have experience of digital planning. • Demonstrate evidence of meeting skill requirements based on the anticipated composition of the team. Nice to Haves • Demonstrate experience of solving problems involving data for Local Planning Authorities. • Have experience of producing a minimal viable product/proof of concept for successful delivery into a 'live' environment on behalf of a government department. Work Location We expect the successful supplier to work regularly with MHCLG in 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF/virtually given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A weekly update meeting will be held at 2 Marsham Street or virtually. MHCLG will not fund travel within London but will fund necessary travel outside of London. Working Arrangments Given the current COVID-19 climate, we would expect the supplier to work remotely but keep in close contact with the existing team. Any changes on these circumstances will be agreed with the supplier. We expect the supplier to work in line with the Digital Land team mission, values and ways of working - https://digital-land.github.io/about/ We are a digital team who work openly and use agile methodology. We will induct the supplier on team specific practises and on the overarching hypotheses and vision we work to as a team. Security Clearance CTC or above isn’t required but is desirable so staff don’t need escorting on site. There is no requirement for supplier personnel to be security cleared. BPSS clearance will be required to access MHCLG's ICT systems. Please make it clear whether staff have CTC security clearance when submitting responses. Additional T&Cs All materials/outputs derived from the contract shall be the property of MHCLG. Any UK GDPR requirements will be discussed and agreed once the successful supplier has been notified (as part of discussions to agree the wording of the call-off contract). No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Understanding of user needs • Approach and methodology • Team structure • Estimated time frames for the work • Technical solution Cultural Fit Criteria • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions • Challenge the status quo • Care deeply about users • Share knowledge and experience with other organisations Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method • Case study • Work history • Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 45% Cultural fit 10% Price 45% Questions from Suppliers 1. How many and what type of resources are required? We expect the Supplier team, at a minimum, to include a Senior Service Designer, an Interaction Designer, a Content Designer, a Data Scientist / Data Standards Specialist and a User Researcher. Some delivery management is desirable. The Supplier should plan to bring in other roles, if needed, to ensure that the project is delivered on time, such as service designers, visual designers or other roles needed to dissect findings and process insights of user research. Not all roles need to be full-time. We would like the Supplier to provide profiles of the staff they expect to assign to the project. 2. What will be the minimum required qualification and experience for the resources? It’s up to suppliers to provide their evidence of what is the best team (in terms of roles, qualifications and experience) to deliver this requirement based on our requirements and clarifications provided. We would like the Supplier to provide profiles of the staff they expect to assign to the project. 3. Please share detailed scope of work. The published requirement provides the full scope of work. The Spatial Framework policy paper that was published in February 2021 provides additional information about the project’s objectives. 4. Are you OK with resources working from offshore with BPSS clearance? We strongly advise that all resources should work in the UK. If any proposals include resources working from offshore, we will need to check with our Data Protection team based on the information provided in the proposals, which should include where the people wanting to access the data are based, why they need to, and how they might access it. 5. What evidence / documentation will be required to show the desired experience? We would expect the suppliers to provide relevant case studies and work history in their proposals, tailored to the questions we have asked on required essential skills and experience and nice-to-have skills and experience. We would like the Supplier to provide profiles of the staff they expect to assign to the project. 6. For question “Demonstrate experience of solving problems involving data for Local Planning Authorities.” would you accept the experience of non-UK based (Northern Europe) project where we have done similar work? We accept experience of non-UK based projects where you have done similar work but please note that experience in UK-based projects is preferable. 7. For question “Have experience of digital planning.”, would you accept the experience of non-UK based (Northern Europe) project where we have done similar work?’ We accept experience of non-UK based projects where you have done similar work but please note that experience in UK-based projects is preferable. 8. For question “Have experience of digital planning.”, would you accept a response to this question with a product that we have developed based on our digital planning experience? Yes, we would accept evidence of example products you have developed relevant to digital planning experience.