Digital Trade Finance Service - Node.js Developer team

Description

Summary of the work A team of node.js Developers to transition the DTFS platform to nodejs from PHP/Drupal and help transform the wider service in an agile project. Expected Contract Length 2 years with option to extend 6 months Latest start date Monday 27 January 2020 Budget Range £800,000 to £1,000,000 Why the Work is Being Done UKEF offers a digital service to five partner banks; the Digital Trade Finance Service (DTFS). A recent third paty audit of DTFS established that the current service does not meet user needs or comply to GDS service standards. To help bring the service into line with service standards and meet accessibility needs we are undertaking a code transformation from the original PHP/Drupal code into node.js. After this the Development team will work as part of a project team to extend and re-architect the wider platform to meet GDS service standards. Problem to Be Solved DTFS is not currently meeting the government’s 14-point Service Standard and will fail any future GDS service assessment. We need to transfer the current platform from PHP/Drupel to node.js in a continuous manner in order to allow us to take advantage of the GDS design patterns and system and therefore better meet accessibility requirements Building on this we will also commence a discovery into the wider platform to potentially redesign the service to meet user needs and GDS service standards. This will then lead to Alpha, Beta and a new Live service that has passed the relevant service assessments. We require a team of developers comprised of a senior developer/Technical architect and 3 node.js developers to undertake both of these projects Who Are the Users Pre-discovery work so far has identified the following users... Maker (Bank) - Provides export finance to the bank’s customer (exporter) and requests additional cover from UKEF. Checker (Bank) - Reviews finance deals raised by the maker and approves applications to UKEF. Underwriter (UKEF) - Reviews a deal request and approves cover. Inputter (UKEF) - Inputs deal information to internal systems. Approver (UKEF) - Ensures input data matches the deal. Post-issue management (UKEF) - point of contact for the banks after the point of issue. Deals with any amendments needed, as well as any general queries. Risk team member (UKEF) - Makes risk-based decisions on trade finance. Work Already Done We have commissioned research into accessibility and content design of the existing portal. We commissioned an agency to review DTFS and recommend an approach to take DTFS forward. Existing Team UKEF have a small existing team of developers and testers. The new development team will work with this team to transition the service to node.js and then maintain the service in an ongoing basis. A wider project team is being established to start the Discovery of DTFS in the new year, the development team will form part of the multi-disciplined project team working with Service designer, user researchers to build prototypes and code solutions. Current Phase Not started Skills & Experience • Demonstrate significant experience building, operating and monitoring NodeJS systems in production • Demonstrate experience of developing or maintaining services in PHP/Drupel • Demonstrate your ability to mentor and train developers in modern JavaScript programming idioms and patterns, and NodeJS good practices • As a lead TA Demonstrate your ability to work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs • Demonstrate your experience working as the development team in a a multi-disciplined project team through Discovery, Alpha, Beta and live. • Demonstrate your willingness to participate in in-hours support and out-of hours on call rota Nice to Haves • Demonstrate experience with HTML/CSS and web accessibility practices • Demonstrate experience of Microsoft Azure • Demonstrate experience of the GDS design system and patterns • Demonstrate experience of working with open source tools and concepts (e.g. github, common government services etc). • Demonstrate experience of transforming a service from one coding language to another. • Demonstrate experience of test driven design and development Work Location UK Export Finance. 1 Horse Guards Rd, Westminster, London SW1A 2HQ Working Arrangments The supplier will work as part of a multi-disciplined matrix team in agile sprints, predominately in our London office Security Clearance All staff should have minimum CTC level security clearance in place before work is started or be prepared to undergo security clearance process. Additional T&Cs Pricing will be based on capped time & materials but the Buyer will reserve the right in the contract to use alternative payment mechanisms e.g. T&M or Fixed Price for future SoWs. Suppliers will be required to participate in a code test/review as part of the presentation in the 2nd round of the procurement. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Detail your approach to producing, checking and releasing code to a production environment. • Demonstrate your understanding of agile environments, collaboration and DevOps culture, and continuous learning • Demonstrate where you have taken the lead in secure web software design and coding practices • Explain your approach to translating technical concepts between software engineering, delivery management and service management so they are understood by all. • Demonstrate experience with building a CI/CD pipeline Cultural Fit Criteria • Demonstrate your ability to deliver in an open, collaborate, agile way according to the principles outlined in the Government Service Design Manual • Demonstrate how you will build capability within the existing service team • Demonstrate your ability to adapt your approach when dealing with blockers • Demonstrate your experience collaborating with other suppliers on a project Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 10% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. In the event of the 6 month optional extension should the potential costs incurred by the supplier be included in the initial costing, or would that be an extra cost of T&M? In event of an extra 6 months we would expect to negotiate an extended contract with the supplier as extra cost. 2. How many developers does the organisation feel are required for this programme of work please? 4, a lead developer/Technical Architect and 3 other developers 3. We understand this requirement is for a team of node.js Developers to transition the DTFS platform to nodejs from PHP/Drupal and help transform the wider service in an agile project. Could you please let us know if there is an incumbent supplier in place or if this is for a new piece of work? We have a team of staff developers managing the current DTFS to be replaced by the new team of developers. This is a new piece of work 4. Is there any flexibility on the budget or the timescale for this outcome? The listed budget, start and end dates will restrict the quality of specialists available for this project We expect the resource profile to change throughout the project lifecycle. It is up to the supplier to propose required resources for each phase. 5. Will remote working patterns be available to the suppliers node.js consultants, for example can they work from the suppliers premises or from home on occasion? We very much would like the development team to work on-site at UKEF as part of a multi-disciplined agile team. 6. Are the existing team of developers, internal staff or have they been sourced externally? A mix of internal staff and contractors. 7. What is the timeline on procurement (1st/2nd/Decision phase)? Publish requirements on the Digital Marketplace 2nd December 2019Deadline for Round 1 responses 16th DecemberRequest for Proposals sent to shortlisted providers 20th DecemberDeadline for proposal submissions 10th January 2020Supplier presentations 14th JanuarySOW / Contract Meeting 20th JanuaryContract finalisation and signature 20th – 24th JanuaryProposed start date 27th January 2020Please note these dates are indicative and subject to change