Request for Information

Description

Request for Information (RFI) For the Provision of Data Platform Architecture Solution
Procontract Ref: DN732764

Section 1: Introduction

This RFI intends to achieve two main outcomes:
1. Enable Stockport Homes Group (SHG) to understand the requirements for a data platform architecture solution in line with industry capability and capacity.
2. Develop a route to market that will deliver the best value for money for SHG.

Please Note:

1. This RFI is an information gathering exercise only, no further discussions with industry are planned at this stage.
2. This request is not a commitment by SHG to launch a formal procurement activity and the requirement detailed below is subject to change.
3. SHG will assess responses to the RFI and may seek further clarification.
4. Participation in the RFI will not be taken as an expression of interest.
5. Participation in the RFI will not be a prerequisite for participation in any future procurement activity.
6. By receiving information under this RFI, SHG is not obligated to enter a Contract and any future procurement activity will be at SHG's discretion.
7. SHG will not be liable to reimburse any costs incurred by parties who respond to this RFI.
8. SHG reserve the right to amend, clarify, add to, withdraw, or cancel all or any part of the RFI at any stage and at any time.
9. Information and details contained within this RFI must be treated as private and confidential.
10. This RFI and any accompanying documents shall remain the property of SHG and must be returned on demand.
11. SHG does not intend to offer debriefs following receipt of responses under this RFI.
12. Any future procurement activity will be run through SHG’s eProcurement Portal (Procontract).
13. Information received via RFI Response Questionnaires (Annex A) will not be added to any tender responses received from any future procurement processes.

Section 2: Brief Overview of Requirement

SHG have an ongoing requirement to ensure Evidence Based Decision Making (EBDM) leads their thinking and directs future purchasing decisions.

SHG are seeking a data platform architecture solution to align its business objectives by integrating various data technologies across business domains, creating a single trusted source for reporting and analysis.

SHG current landscape see’s several disparate systems, some hosted in the cloud by third party suppliers and some on-premises which are managed by Stockport Council (SMBC). In some instances, there is access to the database (SQL and Oracle) whereas at other times data is obtained via reporting and provision of csv’s, xlsx’s or via API’s. There are also other structured and semi-structured datasets that need to be included e.g. Dataverse, JSON, SharePoint lists.

SHGs main system uses over 2000 tables and is heavily normalised, without access to schema for the database, or a database optimised for reporting meaning that reporting from this database can be a challenge and is reliant on specialists, therefore, reporting cannot be rolled out to the wider organisation.

There are some common references between some of the systems, but not all systems or data sets contain common references and there are many data silos.
The bulk of the data across the estate relates to customer and asset with associated financials, CRM, asset maintenance and stock control.

As detailed above SHG work in a challenging reporting environment resulting in requirements such as, but not limited to:
• Automate data extraction, transformation, and integration across multiple systems.
• Identify the ‘golden record’ for customers and assets.
• Develop a single trusted source for reporting and analysis.
• Use the golden record to identify record sets that need attention.
• Improve data ownership, data quality and reliability.
• Improve business intelligence and insights to support data informed decision making.
• Develop our use of predictive and prescriptive analytics – using the science of the data.
• Be confident the data presented demonstrates the complete picture.
• Increase efficiency and empower decision making.
• Remove the need for manual extraction and creation of semi-structured datasets for the purpose of manipulation and analysis.
• Develop subject-orientated views of the data, enabling end user reporting.
• Reduce the time for BI specialists to deliver reports.
• Easily report across all or any systems via the use of integrated views.
• Establish time-based analysis and reporting.
• Provide a single group view of performance that can be analysed as required.

For further information and RFI response questionnaire (Annex A) please visit: https://procontract.due-north.com/Login

Once completed RFI response questionnaires must be returned electronically via SHG’s eProcurement Portal which can be accessed as stipulated above. The closing date for return of completed RFI response questionnaire’s is Friday 16th August 2024 @ 12pm.

Please allow sufficient time to upload your response as the system will not accept returns after the closing date and time. Responses submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Clarification questions relating to this RFI must be submitted via the eProcurement Portal. The deadline for receipt of clarification questions is Tuesday 23rd July 2024 @ 12pm. Telephone or email clarification questions will NOT be accepted, nor will be responded to.

Responses to clarification questions will be provided no later Tuesday 30th July 2024 via the eProcurement Portal. Responses given to clarification questions will be shared (anonymously) with all suppliers, unless you expressly require it to be kept confidential at the time the request is made (you must also tell us why), and SHG agree on that matter. Should SHG decide the contents of the request are not confidential you will be given the opportunity to withdraw your clarification request.

Should any technical issues arise via the portal, suppliers are able to log issues via support@proactisservicedesk.kayako.com or going directly to https://proactisservicedesk.com/ For critical and time sensitive issues (normally requiring resolution within 60 minutes), then please contact the Help Desk on 0300 005 0352.

Responses will be acknowledged electronically via SHG’s eProcurement Portal following deadline for submission.