NIC Website Redevelopment Project

Description

Summary of the work The NIC requires a new website to help us communicate more effectively with our various audiences, including government, industry and the media. We want to launch by September 2020, and then move into a maintenance service for two years post-launch. Expected Contract Length 6-9 months for build, plus two years maintenance contract Latest start date Monday 9 March 2020 Budget Range The available budget during the current financial year (ending 31 March 2020) for discovery phase and establishing detailed requirements is up to £10,000. The available budget to complete the alpha and beta stages of the build project in the following financial year (1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021) is up to £25,000. Total available budget for the build project is up to £35,000 (inc VAT). Ongoing budget for maintenance and development is £300 (inc VAT) per month for two years (i.e. £3,600 x 2). Why the Work is Being Done The National Infrastructure Commission’s current website, at nic.org.uk, was designed in 2015. As we approach the Commission’s fifth anniversary, and particularly in light of changing accessibility requirements (coming fully into force in September 2020), a new website is required to fully meet the needs of the organisation and its audiences. We are seeking a supplier to plan, design and build a new website within our timescales and budget, and to provide maintenance and support services for two years post-launch. Problem to Be Solved Public and specialist stakeholders need to access information about, and publications from, the NIC in an accessible and engaging online format. Our current website has limited search functionality and we need the ability to readily integrate more rich media/interactive elements. Who Are the Users As a member of the public or interested party, I need to know what the NIC does, and what its recommendations are in relation to my topic(s) of interest As an MP or government official, I need to be able to easily understand how the NIC's work affects my own, how I can easily understand their proposals, and how I can communicate easily with the relevant team As an industry expert, I need to know how I can contribute to consultation exercises and calls for evidence As a journalist, I need to be able to find the NIC's latest announcements quickly, and contact details for the press team As a NIC communications team member, I want to be able to upload graphics, videos and other rich content within HTML versions of our key content and Commission reports Early Market Engagement N/A Work Already Done The NIC Communications team have undertaken a basic review of improved functionality requirements and taken soundings from colleagues on key stakeholder feedback Existing Team The supplier will work with NIC's small in-house communications team, led by the Head of Communications. There may be some liaison with our current web designers to retrieve existing content/files. Current Phase Discovery Skills & Experience • Experience designing and building responsive websites for non-service delivery organisations • Experience building websites fully compliant with the international WCAG 2.1 accessibility standard to AA level • Experience in efficient content migration from a client's existing site • Extensive knowledge of the CMS market with a client-centred approach to CMS selection • Experience arranging effective training on the use of CMS for different levels of publishers • Experience running research into existing web user's requirements and preferences, and to use alongside traffic analytics to inform project development • Experience providing administration, maintenance and development services for your websites post-build Work Location N/A Working Arrangments The development and design work can be undertaken at the supplier's own premises and at a time to suit them. Occasional meetings via Skype or similar will assist with smooth project management, and we would envisage around six face-to-face meetings at NIC's central London offices over the course of the build project (two during discovery, three during alpha, one final handover meeting). Once the site is live and we move into maintenance phase, almost all contact can be by email/phone. Security Clearance N/A No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 6 Proposal Criteria • Demonstrate how the proposed approach will meet the needs of NIC's audiences and NIC's delivery requirements • Demonstrate previous experience of similar projects • Demonstrate how the supplier team structure will provide adequate resource for successful project completion and maintenance support, including regular communication with the NIC communications team • The proposal represents value for money for the taxpayer Cultural Fit Criteria • The supplier listens to the client's end users and uses user experience insights to develop better websites • The supplier engages constructively with feedback from their clients throughout the project process and shows willingness to adapt ideas and approach as a result • The supplier demonstrates full transparency in the nature of any work outsourced to other suppliers, including any parties overseas Payment Approach Fixed price Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 40% Cultural fit 10% Price 50% Questions from Suppliers 1. Do you have a specific CMS in mind? No, we currently use WordPress but are open to using other CMS and hope that chosen supplier can offer advice (and training, as necessary) on this. 2. From reading how the budget is proportioned, we assume hosting the new website is out of scope of this project. Please can you confirm? Yes. Hosting is covered by a separate arrangement and is out of scope for this project. 3. Generally, the budgets for public sector opportunities advertised on the digital marketplace are ex VAT. Can you please confirm if this should be the case for this opportunity? In this instance, all budgets quoted include VAT. This is made clear where the total project budget is set out.