DDaT24467 - Software tool for sustainability research methods

Description

Pre-market engagement We are in the Beta-phase, in that we have consulted the sector extensively and reviewed feedback from landscaping reviews. These have highlighted the need for development in this area, and so we are seeking to move to Beta-phase. Work done so far Initial project scoping and requirements gathering have been completed by engaging a broad set of stakeholders, including research funders, institutions and sustainability leads. Users have been extensively engaged outlining the platform's objectives, key features, and user requirements. Platforms with limited success (green lab certifications) have provided a proof of concept, and UK funders (CRUK/Welcome) have started to require actions as conditions of grants. UKRI councils were engaged on what sustainability promotion was feasible, as well as institutes which utilize such programmes, and there remain gaps on the success of the existing tools. User groups have provided clear indications on what they seek to address these gaps. No development work has been undertaken so far. User pathways have been mapped. Which phase the project is in Beta Existing team The current lead on this project is UKRI Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability. He works the Programme director, who provides oversight. The Associate Director is likely to engage project management support a 3rd party to assist with upkeep of development, and will act as liaison for all matters as well as provide milestone approval. Address where the work will be done The supplier's staff can work remotely; there is no requirement for on-site work though ideally we would seek face-to-face engagement for milestone meetings. All communications will be conducted via virtual meetings, email, and collaborative tools. If occasional face-to-face meetings are required, they will be held at UKRI offices in Swindon or London, subject to prior agreement. Working arrangements Communication: Regular communication through virtual meetings (e.g., weekly progress updates), emails, and project management tools like Jira or Trello. Collaboration: The supplier is expected to work collaboratively with the UKRI project team, incorporating feedback and adapting to evolving requirements. Reporting: Provide weekly progress reports summarising accomplishments, upcoming tasks, risks, and mitigation strategies. Expenses: No expenses are anticipated. If on-site meetings are required, expenses must be pre-approved by UKRI and will be reimbursed according to UKRI's travel and subsistence policy. Provide more information about your security requirements: No security clearance needed Latest start date 2025-01-24 Enter the expected contract length: 1 year, 2 months and 6 days Special terms and conditions Compliance Requirements: The platform must comply with GDPR, WCAG 2.2 and GDS AA accessibility standards, as well as any relevant EU standards. Data Residency: All data must be hosted within the UK or EEA to comply with data protection regulations. Knowledge Transfer: The supplier must provide comprehensive documentation for users and conduct knowledge transfer sessions with UKRI staff. Write the term or acronym: UKRI – UK Research & Innovation Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes Indicative maximum: The total Contract value shall not exceed £ 562,000 Excluding VAT (£675k incl. VAT). Payment will occur in phases, as outlined in the pricing model (i.e. phases must be completed, delivered, and agreed prior to payment within timeline). 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 UKRI seeks a supplier to develop and deploy a Sustainable Research Methods Hub, an open-access web platform that facilitates the implementation, tracking, and reporting of sustainable practices across various research disciplines. Further information is available within the document titled DOS6 requirements in the attachment section. Where the supplied staff will work London Where the supplied staff will work South West England Who the organisation using the products or services is UKRI are engaged with European research funders and will seek their input in the long term development of any platform that is produced as a result of this contract, though UKRI is leading this process. The website/platform would thus be made accessible for the public sectors researchers, research groups, and institutions (for e.g. universities). It would aim to support a broad set of researchers, for e.g., life sciences, social sciences, chemists, and etc. Why the work is being done The project aims to address the lack of a centralised, accessible platform for implementing and reporting on sustainability practices in research. Existing tools are fragmented, non-transparent, often costly, and do not adequately support collaboration or standardisation across different research disciplines. By developing the sustainable research methods hub, UKRI intends to promote environmental sustainability, standardise sustainability practices across the research sector, facilitate compliance with regulatory requirements, and support the sector-wide adoption of best practices. The development of a certification model will allow such standardisation of practices, which long-term may facilitate promotion of environmental sustainability within grant funding mechanisms. The business problem you need to solve Researchers and institutions currently lack a unified platform to guide and report on their sustainability efforts, leading to inconsistent practices, inefficiencies, and challenges in meeting regulatory compliance. This fragmentation hinders the research sector's ability to adopt standardised sustainability practices, effectively track progress, and report to funders and policymakers. The absence of such a platform makes it difficult to promote environmental stewardship and hampers collaboration across disciplines. By building such a platform, UKRI and other funders could ensure there is quality-control for sustainability guidance, as well as standardisation. The areas of research we invest in can be complicated, and so quality control is necessary. We need a system which allows us to develop good-practice actions over time depending on the research application, and which equally can act as source for further resources as they develop (for e.g. calculators for estimating the impacts of research activities, or training materials to support good-practice). Some of the content to be stored still require development outside of the remit of this procurement, but we’re seeking to build a hub where they can be added over time. Further information can be found within the DOS6 requirements document available at the attachment section. First user type: As a researcher or research groups, I need to access tailored sustainability actions relevant to my research activities so that I can implement best environmental practices and achieve certification. As an institution administrator, I need to oversee and manage the sustainability efforts of research groups within my institution so that we can track progress and enhance our overall sustainability profile. I also would seek to be able to participate in a separate level of certification from resource groups. Both research groups and institutions would need to access calculators or training which would be added in time as the site develops. As a funder, I need cater and quality-control what sustainability guidance is developed, and to assess the sustainability performance of projects we fund so that we can ensure our investments align with environmental goals and responsible funding practices. As a reviewer, I need to audit submissions from researchers or institutions for certification so that I can verify compliance with sustainability standards. As a general public user, I need to access resources and information about sustainable research practices so that I can stay informed and promote environmental stewardship.