Awarded to Modux

Start date: Tuesday 1 June 2021
Value: £24,000
Company size: SME

Ministry of Defence

Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Training and Assurance Application

4 Incomplete applications

3 SME, 1 large

4 Completed applications

4 SME, 0 large

• Published: Thursday 8 April 2021
• Deadline for asking questions: Thursday 15 April 2021 at 11:59pm GMT
• Closing date for applications: Thursday 22 April 2021 at 11:59pm GMT

Overview

• Summary of the work: MOD require an app developer to create an app to support the training and assurance of service persons using ground search detectors in a counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) role.
• Latest start date: Monday 10 May 2021
• Expected contract length: 6 months
• Location: No specific location, for example they can work remotely
• Organisation the work is for: Ministry of Defence

About the work

• Why the work is being done: Within the MOD, training with Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED)/Mine detectors does not currently generate or use quantitative data to support the training and assurance processes necessary to impartially evidence that service personnel are using equipment at the standard to deploy on operations. A new CIED training tool is being developed which will use sensors to generate quantitative data. Use of this tool will enable individuals and teams to hone their detector skills through empirical feedback and provide data-driven evidence that will enhance the assurance process and impartially prove that soldiers are at the standard required to deploy on operations and conduct their role as safely as possible. Ultimately this will ensure CIED missions are achieved to the best possible standard and risk to life from IEDs is reduced as much as possible.
• Problem to be solved: There is currently no ability to provide quantitative feedback on the use of ground search detectors to the users and their commanders. The ability to correctly use a detector is critical in ensuring the threats are detected. Data to enable an understanding of how a detector is being swung in three dimensions (relative to the ground) and where the user is located in relation to the rest of the team is not currently available. The user and their commander will need feedback from the application to enable training and assurance.; A training detector is being developed to solve this problem and generate the data required using commercial sensors and hardware. An application is required to support the sensors and hardware in generating the quantitative data and feedback. The users and their commanders will be able to access a visual representation of the data collected by the sensors via an app to enhance both training and assurance processes.
• Who the users are and what they need to do: As an individual user I need to be able to use the training detector to analyse my swing for consistency and errors. I will then need feedback to understand where I’m not using it optimally and how to rectify the issue. I will need the data to be retained for me to be able to review and see progress to identify trends.; ; As a commander I need to be able to see how each individual in my team is using their detector and how the team are working in relation to each other. I need the ability to insert virtual IEDs for the team to find and for the hardware to react (visual and audio). I need to take the data from the teams and draw trends to inform future training plans and assure my commanders of the team’s skill level.; ; As a higher commander I need to access all data on individuals and teams under me to assure they’re at the right standard to deploy on operations. I need to be able to analyse the data for trends within individuals and across the entire user group to identify where training is sufficient and where it needs further development.
• Existing team: The main contact will be the commander of a specialist unit within the MOD.
• Current phase: Alpha

Work setup

• Address where the work will take place: Mainly off site with visits to the office (Bromley Rd, London, SE6 2RH) and training locations (Camberley GU17 9LP and Bicester OX25 1PP) when required.
• Working arrangements: Mainly off site with visits to the office and training areas when requried by the project.
• Security clearance: Minimum Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Additional information

• Additional terms and conditions: DEFCON 76 (12/06) - Contractor's Personnel At Government Establishments

Skills and experience

Buyers will use the essential and nice-to-have skills and experience to help them evaluate suppliers’ technical competence.

• Essential skills and experience:
  • Demonstrate experience of developing high quality applications for Apple iOS on both iPhone and iPad.
  • Demonstrate experience of developing high quality applications utilising phone sensors and virtual reality.
  • Demonstrable experience of development and maintenance of secure mobile application.
  • Experience of working with large public sector organisations and knowledge of the Defence environment.
  • Evidence of providing responsive customer support services, relationship with satisfied clients. Can demonstrate experience of rapid turnaround delivery.
  • Ability to deliver high quality but low technical maintenance digital solutions.
  • Evidence of delivering effective training on use of solutions - training for different levels of staff/users.
  • Use prototyping and user testing throughout development.
  • Demonstrable experience within the last 3 years of launching a market leading app.
  • Demonstrable expertise of industry regulations including DPA, GDPR.

How suppliers will be evaluated

All suppliers will be asked to provide a written proposal.

• How many suppliers to evaluate: 4
• Proposal criteria:
  • Technical solution
  • Approach and methodology
  • How the solution meets user needs
  • Estimated timeframes for the work
  • Value for money
• Cultural fit criteria:
  • Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers
  • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions
  • Have a no-blame culture and encourage people to learn from their mistakes
  • Take responsibility for their work
  • Share knowledge and experience with other team members
  • Challenge the status quo
  • Be comfortable standing up for their discipline
  • Can work with clients with low technical expertise
• Payment approach: Capped time and materials
• Additional assessment methods:
  • Case study
  • Work history
  • Reference
• Evaluation weighting:

  Technical competence

  70%

  Cultural fit

  10%

  Price

  20%

Questions asked by suppliers

• 1. Can you please specify the Budget for the project ?: The budget is £25,000 (inc VAT).
• 2. Could we please ask if that is a mistake for 6 months of development effort?: 6 months is the upper bound for the entirety of this project, rather than the coding element. We expect the digital component can be completed significantly faster than that, with the remaining time being used by the internal Project Team for whole system testing and evaluation.