ISS Service Integration Partner (SIP)

ISS is the organisation within the Ministry of Defence (the "Authority") responsible for delivering the Defence Information Strategy, through the design, development and operation of information and communication technology ("ICT") across the Authority. In line with this strategy, ISS is moving away from current high-value and complex contracts to a more cost-efficient 'Defence as a Platform' ("DaaP") model.

The DaaP model will enable ISS to move from the current high-value and complex contracts to a more cost-efficient platform model with common architecture across all services, enabling smaller and more agile contracts to be placed. The DaaP contract structure will also involve suppliers of DaaP services working together collaboratively. This requirement will be supported by a binding collaboration agreement which will set out a range of objectives and principles designed to encourage and facilitate collaboration among suppliers.

The DaaP model also anticipates that ISS will build upon its existing in-house DaaP Services Integration Office ("DSIO"). The DSIO is a core team that manages, tracks and intervenes in ISS projects and programmes for the delivery of, and changes to, specific ICT services ("ISS Projects") in order to ensure overall integration and coherence of ISS ICT services. DSIO also ensures that any incoherencies with delivering end-to-end ISS ICT services are appropriately identified, documented and managed.

SIP role and responsibilities

The Authority now wishes to procure an ISS Service Integration Partner (SIP) to support DSIO and bring about the step-change in capability required to deliver the full benefits of the DaaP model, and manage an increasingly complex multi-sourcing service landscape.

The SIP will augment and support the DSIO to ensure the requisite integration and coherence of the design, development and delivery of all DaaP services, through multiple transition states and ultimately into live service.

This will include (without limitation) the SIP delivering the following services to ISS and the Authority:

a) delivering and maintaining a transparent, robust and coherent transition state model to ensure the viable delivery of ISS services;

b) ensuring all multi-sourced components of the Authority's ICT estate are integrated and remain coherent throughout the complete service development lifecycle, supporting the delivery of end-to-end ISS services that meet the Authority's expectations and designated performance levels for ISS Services;

c) supporting a 'one team' approach for the delivery of ISS services where all parties collaborate effectively and work towards shared outcomes; and

d) delivering a comprehensive knowledge transfer, upskilling and training programme to ensure that the DSIO is able to perform such service integration activities in-house in the future.