Invitation to Tender – Human Resources Information System
Ref. OPSD/HRIS/Nov2023
Overview
Westminster Foundation for Democracy (“WFD”) is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world. Operating internationally, WFD works with parliaments, political parties, and civil society groups as well as on elections to help make political systems fairer, more inclusive, and more accountable.
We are a problem-solving, practitioner-led organisation that offers:
- High-quality and impactful regional and country programmes that directly support the full spectrum of institutions in political systems to develop inclusive political processes, more accountable political systems, protection of rights and freedoms, and more pluralistic societies;
- Specialist analysis, research, and advice to inform UK policymakers on a range of democratic governance issues through our Centre of Expertise; and
- International elections observation on behalf of the UK.
The aim of this Invitation to Tender
WFD is publishing this open Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) and offering potential suppliers of relevant solutions the opportunity to submit a bid for this contract. WFD is seeking a configurable software-as-a-service (SAAS) solution.
WFD has an existing HRIS system used for employee record management, absence and leave management, workflow integration, employee self-service, performance management, and learning and development. Therefore, the organisation is now re-tender the contract to ensure WFD has the right solution that best suits our current and future needs and provides good value for money for the next four years. The successful supplier would be engaged for a period of 4 years with a rolling annual break clause, and if relevant, manage a successful transition from its current HRIS to the new platform with minimum disruption.,
The HR system will be rolled out to a total of 180 - 250 employees (self-service) and up to 10 HR users in varying locations globally.
Bid submission
All bids should be in a format that complies with the requirements of this ITT.
Bids should be submitted by email to: Jon Spence, People and Culture Director, at jon.spence@wfd.org. We recommend that bids be submitted in PDF format where possible, except spreadsheets.
Bids should refer clearly to the ITT reference number: OPSD/HRIS/Nov2023.
Should you require any further information or clarification on this ITT, please contact Jon Spence, People and Culture Director, at jon.spence@wfd.org.
By submitting a bid, you agree to comply with WFD’s standard terms and conditions for tendering and key policies, which are found here, and WFD’s Code of Conduct.
Detailed Specification
Objective
WFD wishes to secure a contract with a supplier for the provision of the HR System (SAAS) solution.
In the event of a change from our current supplier, WFD would also require the following related services:
- Transition from current HRIS system (if applicable)
- training and implementation;
- post-implementation support and warranty; and
- ongoing development of the system and on a non-exclusive basis, as called off, additional functionality that may be required over the term of the contract
All relevant costs associated with the transition (i.e. initial setup and configuration) should be detailed in the bid document, as well as ongoing costs (licensing, maintenance, and additional optional support).
The solution must have user-friendly functionality and flexibility to adapt to future business needs.
Scope of work
The solution will need to meet the following specification:
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Functional area |
Functionality required |
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Essential Requirements |
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Employee Record Management |
Employee Records to include:
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Absence and Leave Management |
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Workflow integration and reminders |
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Employee self-service |
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Performance Management |
Optional additional self-service requirements:
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Learning and Development |
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Employee Relations/Case Management |
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Document Storage and Management |
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Reporting |
The ability to run reports, both standard and customised, on all employee data, stored in the system. For example:
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Recruitment Management |
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Security and Business Continuity |
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The HR system will be rolled out to a total of 180 - 250 employees (self-service) and up to 10 HR-users in varying locations globally.
Deliverables
- Provision of an HRIS system that meets the requirements set out in this ‘scope of work’ section above for the duration of the contract period
- Ongoing development of the system and on a non-exclusive basis, as commissioned from time to time, additional functionality that may be required over the term of the contract
- Post-implementation support (e.g., instructional materials/resources, technical support, etc.)
- Warranty
In the event of a change from our current supplier, WFD would also require the following related services (by 1 June 2024):
- Successful transition and secure managed data migration from the current HRIS system (implementation plan to be included in the proposal)
- Training of staff on the new system
- Implementation of the new system
Timeline
Following completion of the procurement process, the contract will be signed with the successful supplier commencing 1 April 2024. The contract period will be 4 years, expiring 31 March 2028, with a rolling annual break clause option. In the event of the contract being offered to a new supplier, the transition (i.e. initial setup and configuration) will commence from 1 April 2024, with an expectation that the system will be fully implemented and operational by 1 June 2024.
Reporting
During onboarding (if applicable), minimum weekly touchpoint meetings with progress reports. Thereafter, regular account management meetings will be required (at an interval to be agreed upon contracting).
Working arrangements
It is expected that the contract will primarily be delivered remotely on the supplier’s premises. Occasional travel to WFD’s Central London office may be required, for example, during onboarding or for account relationship meetings.
Payments
The below table sets out WFD’s payment expectations. Please note that we operate 30-day payment terms.
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Activity |
Payment arrangements |
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Onboarding (if applicable) |
Full cost is to be paid on completion of onboarding, to be determined at WFD’s sole discretion. |
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Licenses |
To be billed annually, upon successful completion of onboarding period. |
Bid process
Timescale
Below is the proposed timescale for the tendering process. Please note the dates are indicative and subject to change.
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Description |
Date |
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Issue ITT |
20 November 2023 |
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Deadline for supplier questions |
8 December 2023 |
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Closing date for receipt of completed tender proposals[1] |
15 December 2023 |
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Shortlisting of bids |
18 December 2023 – 12 January 2024 |
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Supplier interviews/presentations to selection panel (if applicable) |
15-19 January 2024 |
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WFD announces preferred supplier |
1 February 2024 |
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Contract finalised and signed |
February 2024 |
Bid requirements
In general, the bid should include the following:
1. Organisational profile
2. Proposed solution and how it meets the specification
3. Financial proposal
4. References
5. Confirmation of compliance with General Terms and Conditions of Tendering
Organisational profile:
- Company profile, including brief history and financial overview
- Case studies/credentials demonstrating relevant experience and skills profile
- Names and brief biographies of key staff
WFD is particularly keen to receive bids from organisations that are – or are working towards becoming – living wage employers and that have a broadly representative and balanced Board from gender and ethnicity perspectives.
Proposed solution:
- Clear explanation as to the proposed approach to meeting the specification set out in this ITT.
- Detailed project plan (for any implementation and migration), including timelines, assumptions and dependencies, resourcing, and risks.
Financial proposal:
- Full breakdown costings for the implementation process (if any) and the proposed HRIS solution (e.g. license fees) in GBP sterling
- Separate accounting of VAT and/or any other applicable tax, duty, or charge.
- Detailing any discount applied given WFD’s not-for-profit status.
References:
- The bid should include details of two references relating to similar goods/services provided in the last three years. Please note – referees will only be contacted once Preferred Bidder status is assigned.
Confirmation of acceptance of General Terms and Conditions of Tendering:
- All bidders will be deemed to have accepted the WFD Terms and Conditions of Tendering and confirmed their compliance.
All bidders should also note the following:
- All bids should be submitted in English;
- All bids should be submitted in electronic form only;
- This ITT and the response may be incorporated in whole or in part into the final contract;
- Only information provided in response to questions set out in this documentation will be taken into consideration to evaluate the ITT;
- Bids which are poorly organised or poorly written, such that evaluation and comparison with other submissions is notably difficult, may exclude the bidder from further consideration; and
- Any bids which do not fully comply with the requirements of this ITT may be disregarded at the absolute discretion of WFD.
Evaluation criteria
WFD intends to shortlist providers based on their response to the ITT and will use the following scoring criteria.
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Description |
Score |
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Fit to Specification (including quality of implementation and user onboarding plan if relevant) |
50 % |
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Value for money of solution and support package[2] |
30 % |
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References/ Relevant Client testimonials |
20% |
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Total Weighting |
100 % |
WFD will score each criterion using the following table:
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0 |
The proposal submitted omits and fundamentally fails to meet WFD’s scope and specifications. Insufficient evidence to support the proposal to allow WFD to evaluate. Not Answered |
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1 |
The information submitted has a severe lack of evidence to demonstrate that WFD’s scope and specifications can be met. Significant omissions, serious and/or many concerns. Poor |
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2 |
The information submitted has some minor omissions in respect of WFD's scope and specifications. The tender satisfies the basic requirements in some respects but is unsatisfactory in other respects and raises some concerns. Satisfactory. |
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3 |
The information submitted provides some good evidence to meet the WFD’s scope and specifications and is satisfactory in most respects and there are few concerns. Good. |
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4 |
The information submitted provides good evidence that all of WFD's scope and specification can be met. Full and robust response, any concerns are addressed so that the proposal gives confidence. Very Good. |
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5 |
The information submitted provides strong evidence that all of WFD's scope and specification can be met and the proposal exceeds expectation i.e. exemplary in the industry. Provides full confidence and no concerns. Outstanding |
Tender queries
Any questions related to this tender should be addressed to Jon Spence, People and Culture Director at procurement@wfd.org.
Equal Information
Should any supplier raise a question that is of general interest, WFD reserves the right to circulate both question and answer to other respondents, either via WFD’s website or by email. In this event, anonymity will be maintained.
Annual reports
Please provide a link or copy of your company’s latest audited annual accounts with the bid.
Other information
If the potential supplier believes that there is additional information that has not been requested in the ITT but is relevant to your bid, please include that information as a separate attachment and explain its relevance to this ITT.
FAQ
Q: What is the name of your current HR system
A: People HR (Access Group)
Q: Is payroll out of scope? How are your employees currently paid?
A: Our UK payroll is outsource and is not integrated with our HR system. There are no plans to change this.
Q: We would normally expect a minimum contract term to be 3 years, without a rolling break clause. Can our organisation bid on that basis?
A: Please could you clarify if this question relates to the transition period (i.e. importing/exporting data from our current HRIS to our new system, or if this is a broader query about integration with other WFD systems/applications?
Q: What is the likelihood that you will stay with your current supplier?
A: This is an open tender and WFD will award the contract based on merit. Supplier proposal will be evaluated against the criteria set out on the ITT and the contract will be awarded to the supplier/solution that best meets our current and future requirements.
Q: Would the implementation of a new system be scored in the same manner as the costs provided by your current supplier who presumably would not have implementation costs?
A: WFD will budget for transition cost if we decide to change suppliers. The evaluation of costs will adjust for the fact that some suppliers will have implementation costs and our current provider will not.
Q: Are there any other systems that would need to have data exported to or imported from during the course of the contract?
A: At present, we would require the following import and export functionality:
- Transition from the incumbent system (if applicable)
- Data backups
- We would require the system to be able to export data in Excel format (i.e. for reporting purposes) and potentially import data via Excel also (i.e. for bulk uploads to the system).
[1] WFD may at its discretion extend the closing date and time for receipt of bids.
[2] Value for Money - This is not to be confused with the cheapest option. Value for Money can be defined using 3 points: Economy – best value, Efficiency – maximising outputs, Effectiveness – outputs deliver the desired outcome(s)