Move to the cloud feasbility study and network review

Ofwat requires the Supplier to undertake a study to deliver the outcomes listed below for the cloud study and for the Network Review. Both studies to be completed and delivered by 31 March 2018.

Outcomes:

a) An assessment of Ofwat's current IT infrastructure and its suitability for being delivered through cloud based services; b) The benefits of delivering this IT infrastructure through cloud based services; c) An assessment of Ofwat's existing server estate and the risks involved in not migrating to the cloud, the probability of those risk materialising, the impact of that happening and any potential mitigation; d) A recommendation (and explanation) as to the logical groupings for migrating all of Ofwat's IT infrastructure to the cloud; e) A detailed implementation plan (including both Supplier and Ofwat resources required along with timescales and confidence levels) for moving the services to the cloud in line with the recommendation; f) A clear set of cost options for delivering this plan. The costings can include ranges but Ofwat would not expect the ranges to vary by more than 25%. The assumptions and cost drivers underlying the estimates should be clearly set out; g) The Supplier shall undertake one set of revisions to the study based on feedback provided by Ofwat.

The network review shall review Ofwat's network link between London and Birmingham, its connections to the Intranet and its use of the PSN. The report following the network review shall:

a) Assess the suitability and resilience of Ofwat's network connections for its current level and pattern of usage; b) Assess the extent to which the current system will meet Ofwat's future requirements taking into account Ofwat's recently increased staffing level, the recommendations of the cloud study above, Ofwat's desire to increase its usage of Skype for Business and other VOIP communications and the Supplier's knowledge of how the demands on Ofwat's network are likely to increase based on trends in comparable organisations. c) Make recommendations to address the issues identified in a) and b) (and any other issues connected to the network) in order to improve its resilience and/or effectiveness and/or reduce its cost; d) Shall provide costings for implementing the recommendations in c). The costings can include ranges but Ofwat would not expect the ranges to vary by more than 25%. The assumptions and cost drivers underlying the estimates should be clearly set out. e) The Supplier shall undertake one set of revisions to the study based on feedback provided by Ofwat.

Additional information: Using Ofwat's Strategic Partner for Co Sourcing Delivery Model for Support Services Framework Agreement.