Pensions Dashboard Business Case, Roadmap and Plan

Description

Summary of the work Work with senior management and key stakeholders to produce a digital roadmap and business case for the Pensions Dashboard. Latest start date Monday 10 June 2019 Why the Work is Being Done Automatic enrollment, launched in 2012, has created millions of new pension savers – with nearly 10 million eligible employees having been automatically enrolled. People still lack confidence when faced with decisions about their finances though, and engagement with pensions is low. Eight in ten people with a defined contribution (DC) pension have not given much thought to how much they should be paying into it to maintain a reasonable standard of living when they retire. Pensions dashboards will offer people access to their information from multiple pensions at a time of their choosing. Problem to Be Solved The pensions dashboard will allow people to find and view all of their pension information in a single place online, in a clear and simple format. The Pensions Dashboard Industry Delivery Group (IDG) will facilitate implementation of the technology, safeguards and standards that will enable user-facing dashboards to operate. The government has asked The Money and Pension Service (MAPS) to convene and oversee the IDG. A key first step for the IDG will be to produce a plan for how the dashboard architecture and data standards will be delivered and schemes brought on board over the next 3-4 years. Who Are the Users Anyone with a UK pension will be able to use the service. They need to be able to authenticate their identity online and instigate a search of the UK pensions universe to find their pensions. We want citizens to use the Pensions Dashboard to understand their current financial position and to help them plan for their retirement. The high-level user need that underpins the entire project is: “I need to know how much money I’ll have to live on when I retire so that I can plan for my future”. Work Already Done In April 2017, an industry-led Pensions Dashboard Project Group demonstrated a prototype, showing that the technology can work. This group continued with a research phase, publishing its findings in October 2017. This made a number of recommendations, including the need for a government-backed delivery authority to proceed. There have been further publications concerning the pensions dashboard, including a report from Which? in February 2018. DWP published a feasibility study and public consultation on the future of pensions dashboards. The response document published in April 2019 sets out the government’s course of action and the key policy and delivery parameters. Existing Team The supplier will be working with the IDG Setup Team which consists of senior management team, a project team, a commercial specialist, a technical specialist and a stakeholder manager. However, the supplier will need to engage with a number of other stakeholders to rapidly gain an understanding of the strategic landscape and so that they can develop a plan of how industry can deliver the dashboard. Current Phase Not started Skills & Experience • Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and what success would look like for this project • Demonstrate awareness of the background to the pensions dashboard project • Have a strong understanding of the proposed digital architecture for the dashboard • Have demonstrable experience of working with senior stakeholders and achieving consensus. • Have a track record of producing business cases and plans for similar projects Nice to Haves Experience in planning and delivering complex, multi-million-pound digital projects that involve a number of different sectors. Work Location Money & Pensions Service Offices at 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB. Frequent travelling is likely to be required to stakeholder sites and MAPS head office in Holborn. Working Arrangments We expect the dashboard to be delivered as an agile project, divided into sprints, and so the roadmap will need to take account of that, with review points built in to the overall plan. There will be a need for onsite working as the supplier will be working closely with the setup team. Security Clearance Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance required. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Explain their approach, methodology and estimated timeline • Propose a suitable project team structure (with roles and responsibilities) • Identify risks and dependencies and approaches to managing them • Estimated timeframes, including start date • How the approach or solution meets the objectives of this requirement Cultural Fit Criteria • Have empathy for the work of MAPS • Professional approach to process and team • User outcome focussed • Work as a team with our organisation • Transparent and clear decision-making process • Collaborative style of working Payment Approach Capped time and materials Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. Please would you confirm if there is an incumbent in post? This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent supplier. 2. Has a budget range been set for this opportunity? Currently we have not set a budget for this specific piece of work as we will look for suppliers to propose a cost based on the resources and number of days they are likely to need to complete the work 3. Q1 requests that we "demonstrate an understanding... of what success would look like for this project". This is something that we would usually work through collaboratively with our clients at the outset of a project rather than tell them what it is. This seems a very subjective line of questioning so beyond the fact that we have read the project website, what are you hoping to understand from the bidders from this question? We would expect the successful bidder to work collaboratively with us to ensure delivery of a high-quality fit for purpose product. We would also expect bidders’ responses to demonstrate a clear understanding of what is required for this initial phase of planning for the delivery of the dashboard project. 4. Q3 requires that we demonstrate a strong understanding of the project digital architecture. While one is able to establish an understanding of this from the published reports, this question seems unfairly weighted to those partners who have already worked on the dashboard. Are the four reports published on the project site the full extent of the project information? If not, are you able to publish any more detailed information? We do not expect any bidder to demonstrate knowledge other than what is within the public domain. The proposed architecture for the dashboard is in chapter three of the government’s consultation response: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792303/government-response-pensions-dashboards.pdfWe would expect the supplier to demonstrate experience of delivering a roadmap for a project containing similar components. This is a new project that builds on the findings from the government’s public consultation on the pensions dashboard. MAPS was asked to lead on this project following the consultation. MAPS has not previously worked on a pensions dashboard nor has it worked with other partners on a dashboard. 5. Do you have a budget in mind for this project? Currently we have not set a budget for this specific piece of work as we will look for suppliers to propose a cost based on the resources and number of days they are likely to need to complete the work 6. Has a budget range been set for this opportunity? Currently we have not set a budget for this specific piece of work as we will look for suppliers to propose a cost based on the resources and number of days they are likely to need to complete the work 7. You mention several documents from October 2017, February 2018 and April 2019. Will referencing these be sufficient to answer the essential skills "Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and what success would look like for this project", "Demonstrate awareness of the background to the pensions dashboard project" and "Have a strong understanding of the proposed digital architecture for the dashboard" or are you looking for more specialised knowledge? We would not expect bidders to demonstrate knowledge beyond what is available in the public domain. However, the successful bidder should provide evidence that they have a good understanding of this information, both in their submission and presentation should they be selected. 8. Having understood the high-level delivery and technical aspects of your requirement we would like to understand your timescales. When would you like this piece of work completed and will it be delivered to SoW's? We would expect a first draft of the plan to be delivered within 6 weeks of commencement. However, it is likely to require several iterations based on feedback from key stakeholders. 9. Is the pensions dashboard project (https://pensionsdashboardproject.uk) part of this initiative? The Pensions Dashboard Prototype Project, managed by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) with the involvement of 17 pensions firms, demonstrated how the digital architecture, which allows pensions information to be found across a number of schemes, can work. That project was not run by government. However, this project will use some of the findings from that project, but it is a separate project that builds on the findings from the government’s public consultation on the pensions dashboard. 10. How would a supplier 'Have a strong understanding of the proposed digital architecture for the dashboard' if this is a new initiative without any incumbent? Chapter 3 of the Government response to the consultation on the pensions dashboard (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792303/government-response-pensions-dashboards.pdf) sets out the proposed architecture and some design principles which must be adhered to. This is in the public domain. We would expect the successful bidder to demonstrate a strong understanding of this. 11. What is the expected contract length? An initial period of 3 months. 12. Please confirm whether there are requirements outside those stated in the advertisement, if so where can they be found? If the requirements are not available how can a supplier reasonably demonstrate an understanding of them? All the background and other relevant material can be found in the government’s consultation response:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792303/government-response-pensions-dashboards.pdf 13. Please confirm whether there are requirements outside those stated in the advertisement, if so where can they be found? If the requirements are not available how can a supplier reasonably demonstrate an understanding of them? There are no requirements beyond what is set out in the published requirement advertisement and the answers to these questions. 14. Please confirm that the background to the project is publicly available, and if so where; else clarify how a supplier reasonably demonstrate an understanding of them? All the background and other relevant material can be found in the government’s consultation response:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792303/government-response-pensions-dashboards.pdf 15. Please state the weighting associated with each of the Proposal Criteria and Cultural Fit criteria. There is an equal weighting within each of the criteria. Bids as a whole will be evaluated as follows: Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Sub-criteria will be weighted evenly across the relevant criterion. 16. Usually we are asked to answer questions by providing evidence of our experience. However, in this case, in answering the first three questions, you seem to want us to demonstrate our understanding and knowledge of the pensions dashboard project. Is this correct? Bidders can demonstrate their understanding of the project by providing evidence of their experience of delivering similar projects. 17. Some of the questions do not fit the prescribed answering format. E.g. "Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and what success would look like for this project" GDS asks for an evidence-based answer in this format: what the situation was the work the team did what the results were Could you let us know the right format for the answer and grading criteria? We expect the supplier to use relevant examples to demonstrate that they have an understanding of the requirements and have a strong experience of delivering similar products. The bids will be scored on this basis. 18. Q5. States, "Have a track record of producing business cases and plans for similar projects.", the dashboard seems a quite unique project. What are the characteristics that you are looking for people to evidence? Whilst the dashboard is a relatively unique project, roadmap and planning skills/experience are not unique and we would expect the supplier to demonstrate evidence of delivering similar products, preferably in the financial sector. 19. Q2. States "Demonstrate awareness of the background to the pensions dashboard project.", are you looking for organisations to summaries their understanding based on the information that is in the public domain? This feels like an usual way to select an implementation partner. The supplier will need to demonstrate a good understanding of the aims, objectives and work completed to date in order to deliver a credible roadmap. To clarify, this tender is for only for a roadmap/plan and business case and not for the implementation of the dashboard architecture itself. 20. Would you consider a certain amount of remote working on this project? Examples could be core personnel on-site with other team members working remotely or all team members on-site for an initial sprint and sprint ceremonies but working remotely at other times. Yes, providing the supplier can meet with all relevant partners, join project and working meetings and will be able to deliver an acceptable first iteration of the roadmap. 21. Have you considered already a technology platforms for the implementation of pensions dashboard? if yes, which one? o decisions about the technology platforms have been made although the government has proposed elements of the system architecture in its consultation response. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792303/government-response-pensions-dashboards.pdf 22. What user research in the context of the citizens and pension providers have been done to understand their needs, and what are the findings? Extensive user research has been carried out. This is set out in chapter 3 of the government’s consultation, dated December 2018. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pensions-dashboards-feasibility-report-and-consultation/pensions-dashboards-working-together-for-the-consumer 23. Has a decision been made on enforcing a standardised data exchange with pension providers to reduce integration complexity? What are the decisions made if any? No decisions have been made in respect of this. To clarify, this tender is for only for a roadmap/plan and business case and not for the implementation of the dashboard architecture itself. 24. Can you provide more information about the ‘existing team’ the supplier will be working with. Is there a breakdown of your core project team (skills/areas of focus) and will there be any requirement to train and/or support any skills development in any areas as part of the outcomes expected from this work? There is a small project team in place to setup a new delivery body with plans to further recruit for a small number of key roles. There is also ongoing recruitment for senior leadership positions. There will not be any requirement to train and/or support any of the team 25. For the question: “Evidence of Experience in planning and delivering complex, multi-million-pound digital projects that involve a number of different sectors” would it be suitable to provide a non-digital project credential? All relevant experience will be considered alongside a good understanding of the brief. 26. We are assuming that any outputs relevant to any further downstream procurements for this project will be shared with future prospective bidders and therefore we don't see a downstream conflict of interest for organisations seeking to be involved both at this stage and at later stages of the project. Can you please confirm this? It is likely that some or all of the outputs of this work would be shared with prospective bidders. This tender is for only for a roadmap/plan and business case and not for the implementation of the dashboard architecture itself. Being involved with this project at this stage is not an automatic bar to involvement in any later stages. Depending on how the project develops, potential conflicts of interest may arise. We will monitor this situation carefully and discuss any potential conflicts of interest as they arise and any necessary mitigations with the successful bidder. 27. Which level/stage of the government business case process is this project currently at? What level/stage of government business case would you see this project producing? i.e. Strategic Outline Case (SOC) – Outline Business Case (OBC) – Full Business Case (FBC)? MaPS haven’t yet started to produce a business case as the work has only just been passed from DWP and so the delivery team is just being set up. There will be a need to produce a full business case to satisfy the MaPS Board and to successfully navigate the Government commercial assurance processes that arm’s length bodies need to adhere to. 28. Usually roadmaps have a current state, a target state, and corresponding interim states to get to the latter from the former. Has the target state been defined? The target state has not yet been defined. 29. What cases are required in the business case (e.g. economic, commercial, etc.)? There will be a need to produce a full business case to satisfy the MaPS Board and to successfully navigate the Government commercial assurance processes that arm’s length bodies need to adhere to. It will need to be consistent with the Treasury’s Green Book and will need to consider all delivery elements and to ensure the user is at the heart of the process and is value for money 30. Has it been decided where the system will be hosted (e.g. on premise, public cloud)? No 31. could you please confirm who is responsible for the coordination with the pension providers in terms of commitment for plan dates and escalation points? This decision has not been made. 32. could you please confirm the total number of pension providers that have committed to provide data? and have you got a projected view of how many you would consider on boarding for 2019-2020? This information is not relevant for this procurement. 33. With reference to Q1, ‘Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and what success would look like for this project’, could the Money and Pensions Service please confirm whether we are being asked to demonstrate an understanding of a) the whole Pensions Dashboard project, or b) this ‘Business Case, Roadmap and Plan’ phase of the work only This tender is for the development of the roadmap and business case only. However, in order to deliver these products, the supplier will need to have a good understanding of the project as a whole.