Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD2070
Date signed:
Decision by: Andrew Collinge, Assistant Director of Intelligence
Executive summary
The GIS & infrastructure team (within the Intelligence Unit) provide support to the wider GLA teams through the creation of bespoke interactive maps for use on the GLA’s website. These often feature on high profile and well visited web pages.
Because of this, the GLA is looking for a company to provide temporary cover to ensure a continuous service whilst a replacement permanent member of staff is recruited. Staff provided by the company will need expertise in creating engaging and easy to use web applications for the general public and applications for professional users.
Decision
That the Assistant Director approves expenditure of up to £ 17,550 to procure and commission consultants through a competitive process to support the GLA to create bespoke maps to inform the development and substantiation of public policy.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 The GIS & infrastructure team (within the Intelligence Unit) provide support to the wider GLA teams through the creation of bespoke interactive maps for use on the GLA’s website. In many cases these provide information to the general public (for instance, the “In My Area” neighbourhood’s panel /in-my-area/barnet ).
Some maps are aimed at professional users (for instance the London Development Database https://maps.london.gov.uk/ldd/ ). A final set of maps allow users to provide feedback and update the data (Workspaces map https://maps.london.gov.uk/workspaces/).
1.2 Many of these maps relate to high profile projects and are often launched by the relevant Deputy Mayor (for instance, Rough Sleepers map). A further set of maps is planned for development and launch in the period between 1 January and 31 March 2017.
1.3 The GIS team manages a running list of mapping projects and will direct the work of the consultant. Based on our current staff capacity, 3 days per week for 1 member of staff is required during the contract period.
1.4 The consultant will be selected on the basis of their ability to meet the following requirements:
- All applications to be based on rest services from GLA ArcGIS Server (published by GLA GIS team).
- Create maps that comply with the GLA corporate guidelines where they appear on GLA web pages.
- Create simple D3 charts such as pie charts, bar charts and line graphs using data from the rest services as part of applications.
- Create well-structure code, so that future developments can be made, bugs fixed and code can be re-used from one map to deliver similar maps as required.
- Supplement ESRI libraries where additional functions are required such as aggregating values.
- Carry out performance testing for commonly used browsers and systems and optimisation for speed to create applications that are able to run well on mobile devices / mobile connections.
- Consider mobile devices in the UI design (responsive web apps, not device specific native apps).
- Iterate the designs, working closely with non-technical staff from different GLA teams.
- Suggest iterations to the structure of the data (this will be delivered by the GLA GIS team).
- Use of GIT for version control.
1.5 The contractor will provide their own facilities, but access to the GLA AWS server will be provided where all code should be saved. During the agreed 3 days each week, staff provided by the contractor will be contactable between 10am and 4pm UK time by: telephone, email, Google hangout/Skype.
1.6 The GLA has completed a competition to obtain quotes for this work and has identified the best value approach as being via the purchase of staff time from Superloop Ltd for 3 days per week for 3 month period. This is based on the consultants able to best demonstrate suitable experience and technical skills to create new web applications and update existing ones.
2.1 Provide staff with suitable experience and technical skills to create new web applications and update existing ones.
2.2 The GIS team manages a running list of mapping projects and will direct the work of the consultant. Projects currently planned for this period include:
- London’s Markets (for GLA Regeneration team)
- London Energy Plan (for GLA Environment team)
- SafeStats (for partnership of Boroughs, Hospital Trusts & GLA family)
- Planning Permissions (for Planning team)
2.3 This work will support work in Town Centres, around transport hubs, major developments and outer London.
The aim of the work is to enhance the GLA’s understanding of policy and how these affect London. The increased awareness that mapping enables has indirect but positive benefits in relation to social and economic sustainability objectives such as improving health, reducing inequalities, increasing accessibility, and economic development. Interactive web maps support a number of GLA programmes to improve social equality including the Rough Sleepers map, High Streets for All and Street Markets.
4.1 Possible risk – Staff not available.
Mitigation –payment will be made monthly in arrears.
4.2 Possible risk – Staff not suitably experienced.
Mitigation – The supplier has supplied CV with evidence of suitable experience.
4.3 Possible risk – Work not completed to sufficient quality.
Mitigation – The completed webmaps will be reviewed by the GLA GIS & Infrastructure Manager and signed off by the commissioning policy team lead on a map by map basis.
4.4 Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities – GIS mapping will support work in Town Centres, around transport hubs, major developments and outer London.
4.5 Impact assessments and consultations – The impact of not making this purchase is that there will be a three month period where complex interactive webmaps will not be able to be delivered as the remaining GIS team are all fully committed on other projects.
5.1 Approval is being sought for expenditure of up to £ 17,550 for consultancy support. This support will be utilised by 31 March 2017. The cost will be contained within the existing Ordnance Survey budget for 2016/17. All costs will be allocated to WBS GG.0220.003.003
5.2 Any changes to this proposal, including budgetary implications will be subject to further approval via the Authority’s decision-making process. All appropriate budget adjustments will be made.
5.3 The Intelligence Unit within the Communities & Intelligence Directorate will be responsible for managing this project and ensuring that the procurement and associated expenditure adheres to the Authority’s Financial Regulations, Contracts & Funding Code and Expenses & Benefits Framework.
Signed decision document
ADD2070 JavaScript Developer Contract (signed) PDF