Awarded to People Source Consulting Ltd

Start date: Monday 7 January 2019
Value: £25,500
Company size: SME

Ministry of Defence - ISS

Defence Public Key Infrastructure (DPKI) Root Certification Authority (DRCA) Tech Spt Technician

11 Incomplete applications

10 SME, 1 large

2 Completed applications

2 SME, 0 large

• Published: Friday 16 November 2018
• Deadline for asking questions: Friday 23 November 2018 at 11:59pm GMT
• Closing date for applications: Friday 30 November 2018 at 11:59pm GMT

Overview

• Specialist role: Data engineer
• Summary of the work: There is a requirement for a Defence Public Key Infrastructure (DPKI) Technical Support Technician. The responsibilities will include technical support for all DRCA and Level 1 issuing environments: the underlying DPKI infrastructure, configuration management and acting as the focal point for all DRCA activities and enquiries.
• Latest start date: Wednesday 9 January 2019
• Expected contract length: 3 months with Options - subject to Financial Approval - up to a total maximum of 2 years
• Location: South West England
• Organisation the work is for: Ministry of Defence - ISS

About the work

• Who the specialist will work with: The specialist will work with the ISS Service Design (PKI team), ISS Operate including Crypto Services for Defence and the DPKI Technical Specialists.; The individual will report to ISS Des-Arch34-Arch (Gareth Hind).
• What the specialist will work on: The DRCA, Level 1 issuing Certification Authority, and associated equipment.; Management: focal point for queries, liaise with stakeholders to ensure availability for all activities. Assist the technical specialist/act as a Trusted Role when required.; Infrastructure support. Manage/maintain the underlying infrastructure and associated equipment for all environments to ensure availability and safety. Manage VMWare infrastructure and build virtual machines on request. Manage and perform software, firmware and AV updates as necessary. Control configuration records and manage changes to the environments.; Asset management for environments. Ensure all assets are identified, licenced, supportable and managed using the Asset Database).

Work setup

• Address where the work will take place: ISS, MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR.; Building 405 E3, Campus Distribution and Building 410.
• Working arrangements: Most tasking will take place from MoD Corsham and you are required there 5 days a week, the working day is 8 hours to include 30 minutes for lunch. Occasional day visits may be required in the UK to other equipment hosting locations. Overnight visits will only be permitted if authorised in advance. T&S will be at MOD extant rates.
• Security clearance: Developed Vetting (DV) is required due to the type of work and the systems the incumbent will be required to work on.; DV clearance must be in place on commencement of the contract and the expectation is that this will be maintained for the duration of the contract.

Additional information

• Additional terms and conditions: Proposal Evaluation will be based on MEAT.; IR 35166 information: The intermediaries legislation doesn't apply to this engagement.

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:
  • 50% Demonstration of technical experience managing a PKI environment.
  • 20% Demonstration of experience in the technical configuration of specialist equipment such as Hardware Security Modules (HSM), encrypted disk drives and key material.
  • 10% Show evidence of experience and management of software licencing, vendor support agreements, configuration control and asset management.
  • 20% Show an excellent working knowledge of Windows Server (2012R2 /2016), Entrust EASM, VMWare ESXi and SolarWinds Web Help Desk (Asset Management).
• Nice-to-have skills and experience:
  • 60% Demonstration of technical knowledge and practical experience in the design and physical implementation of computer networking including Safety and SCIDA.
  • 30% Show experience in PKI key signing operations and the operation of Certification Authorities (CA) and Registration Authorities (RA).
  • 10% Show knowledge of IETF RFC5280 and RFC3647.

How suppliers will be evaluated

• How many specialists to evaluate: 3
• Cultural fit criteria:
  • Show evidence of transparency and collaboration in decision making.
  • Demonstrate the ability and desire to share and transfer knowledge.
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognise and adapt to change in the organisation.
• Assessment methods:
  • Work history
  • Interview
• Evaluation weighting:

  Technical competence

  60%

  Cultural fit

  5%

  Price

  35%

Questions asked by suppliers

• 1. Can the authority please confirm if there is a current incumbent within this position.: No, the previous contract delivering this role has expired.
• 2. Is there an incumbent? Will they be applying through DOS?: No, the previous contract delivering this role has expired.
• 3. What is the budget for the position?: Current approvals for the 3 month period are a maximum of circa £30,000.
• 4. As the daily rate is not proposed? What seniority should the candidate have previously held?: The equivalent Civil Service grade for this role is Higher Executive Officer (HEO).
• 5. Does the authority have a budget or day rate in mind for this requirement.: Current approvals for the 3 month period are a maximum of circa £30,000.
• 6. Please are you able to explain the MEAT Proposal Evaluation?: Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) will use the evaluation weighting percentages stated in the advert.
• 7. What is the IR35 status of this role?: The "IR35" (IR 35166) status is in the advert under Additional terms & conditions: "IR 35166 information: The intermediaries legislation doesn't apply to this engagement".
• 8. May we please ask what the max day rate is for this task.: The financial approvals for the 3 month period is a maximum of circa £30,000. Price forms part of the evaluation criteria as per the advert.
• 9. Does this assignment sit in-side or outside of IR35?: As stated in the advert: "IR 35166 information: The intermediaries legislation doesn't apply to this engagement."
• 10. What is the maximum daily pay rate for this assignment?: The current financial approval for the 3 month period is a maximum circa £30,000.
• 11. Will the client accept applications from candidates whose clearance has lapsed?: As per the advert, Developed Vetting (DV) is required due to the type of work and the systems the incumbent will be required to work on. ; DV clearance must be in place on commencement of the contract and the expectation is that this will be maintained for the duration of the contract.
• 12. Would you be able to apply for the DV clearance for the person if they are eligible or do you only wish to get candidates having existing DV in place before submitting the interest?: As specified in the advert, DV clearance must be in place on commencement of the contract and the expectation is that this will be maintained for the duration of the contract.
• 13. We have a DV Cleared specialist interested in the position, however they are reluctant to progress as the rate on offer is not provided and the initial application is quite lengthy. Please can you indicate the budget in mind for the role (possible provide a range) to ensure you receive the most relevant applications?: Current financial approval maximum for the 3 month period are in the region of £30,000.