Trade Remedies Authority - Future Trade Remedies Service - Case Management System Built on Microsoft Technologies - Early Engagement Questionnaire.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices. We investigate whether trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading practices or unforeseen import surges, and we make recommendations on appropriate measures to defend UK economic interests.

The Trade Remedies Authority is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade.

The Trade Remedies Service (TRS) allows users (industries/businesses) to request a trade remedies investigation or review of an existing decision, take part in an active trade remedies case, invite an organisation or individual to represent a party in an active case or add a colleague to their account for an active case.

The original TRS was developed by an external third-party supplier, and later moved in-house to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) team. The original code has been refactored and, in places, rebuilt from the ground up by the in-house team to form the existing solution.

Now, the Future TRS project has been initiated to replace the existing TRS solution, including a new technical solution and operational changes to improve efficiency and productivity. The Discovery stage of the project is in progress; an options analysis activity is ongoing to assess whether the new TRS can be provided through: 1.) Implementing a pre-built supplier's COTS case management solution built using Microsoft Technologies, 2.) Or by developing and building a bespoke case management solution with Microsoft Technologies unique to TRA.

This Early Engagement Questionnaire is to understand the view of the market in terms of its approach to this requirement, key considerations, indicative timescales, and costings. Information that it gathers will be used to refine requirements and inform an internal business case. TRA are open to responses to the questionnaire regarding solutions which involve implementing a pre-built supplier's COTS solutions built using Microsoft Technologies, and/or developing and building a bespoke solution using Microsoft Technologies.

It should be noted that DBT and TRA makes no commitment to procure these services and may decide to not progress this any further following this engagement with the market. TRA and DBT are not liable for any costs incurred by respondents to this Early Engagement Questionnaire.

DBT and TRA reserves the right to change any information contained within the Early Engagement documentation at any time, and Potential Suppliers rely upon any information provided entirely at their own risk.

Additional information: The Estimated Total Value is to be confirmed, post engagement with the market.

As detailed in the notice, DBT and TRA are looking to engage with relevant suppliers in the market - such as Microsoft Gold Partners.

Once the deadline has passed, DBT and TRA will review the submissions, and this will aid internal decision making ahead of any potential future procurement work. This is not a formal invitation to tender.

Please find attached the "TRA - Future Trade Remedies Service - Case Management System Built on Microsoft Technologies - Early Engagement Questionnaire".

Please submit your completed questionnaire by no later than 12:00 GMT on 22/08/2023 to [email protected].