ISS is the organisation within the MOD responsible for delivering the Defence Information Strategy, through the design, development and operation of information and communication technology 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' 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 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 end-to-end ICT technical integration, integration testing and transition planning and support capability.
TSP role and responsibilities
The Authority now wishes to procure an ISS Test Service Partner to support the Test Capability 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 TSP will augment and support the Test Capability to provide the requisite ICT test capability, encompassing technical integration and transition planning aspects, to meet the needs of all ISS projects and programmes for the delivery of, and changes to, specific ICT services. This will include (without limitation) the TSP delivering the following services to ISS and the Authority:
a) enabling the Test Capability to manage new and ongoing support requirements across ISS Projects;
b) helping the Test Capability team and its stakeholders to understand and navigate Test Capability services;
c) providing timely and accurate management information and reports concerning the performance and operation of the Test Capability;
d) helping the Test Capability to manage its resources effectively and efficiently;
e) ensuring ISS Projects have the required test resource profile;
f) ensuring that test toolsets are used in the most appropriate manner to deliver the most efficient and effective outcomes for ISS Projects;
g) maximising the use of test automation through tooling to deliver greater effectiveness and efficiency;
h) capturing, planning and managing ISS test requirements across ISS Projects;
i) ensuring the Forward Schedule of Test is accurate and up-to-date;
j) supporting the Test Capability to provide assurance, support and governance for testing, technical integration and technical transition across all the end-to-end lifecycle of all ISS Projects; and
k) checking that all available appropriate representative test environments are federated and managed for effective use by ISS.