DMB, Office of Retirement Services

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
MASTER VENDOR PROGRAM
IT SERVICES WORK PROJECT REQUEST
This Work Request is issued under your Contract with the Department of Management & Budget, Acquisition Services (DMB), as established under the Master Vendor Program.
Project Title:
Web Self-Service / Period of Coverage:
09/14/06-3/15/08
DMB, Office of Retirement Services / 8/21/06
Agency Project Manager:
Karen Buckwalter / Phone:
(517) 322-1143
DIT Contract Liaison:
Cindy Turben / Phone:
(517) 335.6069
Category of Service Requested
_____ Data Warehouse
_____ Security
_____ Business requirements/needs assessment/system design/quality assurance
_x___ Project Development Services MVP 25
Required Skill Category Requested - KEY PERSONNEL
X_ Junior – (Web Publisher/Designer)a minimum of one (1) year of recent experience and demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities
X_ Journey –(Web Designer/Developer) a minimum of two (2) years of recent experience and demonstrated journey level knowledge skills, and abilities
X_ Senior (Website Architect/Designer)– a minimum of four (4) years of recent experience, and demonstrated superior knowledge, skills, and abilities
__ Expert – a minimum of ten (10) years of increasing levels of responsibilities, and supervisory or management responsibility
X_ Project Manager – Expert skills plus a minimum of three (3) years of recent experience in managing projects
*At a minimum (1) Project Manager, (1) Sr Website Designer/Developer, (1) Web Designer/Developer, and (1) Web Publisher/Designer are required (See Attachments 2, 3 , 4, & 5). Additional resource needs are to be determined by the bidder.
Brief Description of Services to be provided:
PROJECT REQUEST:
The State of Michigan (State), through the Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT), with assistance of the Michigan Department of Management & Budget (MDMB), have issued this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of obtaining proposals from qualified firms to provide online services for members and retirees of the four retirement systems supported by DMB-Workforce Development and Retirement Administration (ORS).
This project consists of the following components:
o  Recommendation for an infrastructure architecture solution that will support 24 x 7, real-time transaction processing in conjunction with the current application (internal online access daily and nightly batch processing).
o  Development of use cases based on the attached detailed requirements
o  Application design
o  Application development, including prototyping
o  Services to implement the application, including
o  configuration
o  customization
o  modification
o  interfaces
o  integration
o  testing
·  system test, technical test (with load), user acceptance, regression test and end-user focus groups
□  Knowledge transfer to State business and operations support staff. Note that knowledge transfer must happen throughout all phases of design, development, test and deployment such that transition from Contractor to staff is seamless.
o  Training, documentation and delivery
o  System and transition documentation
The State seeks to have services begin upon the signing of this contact with full implementation of the system to be completed by March 2008.
BACKGROUND:
The four retirement systems administered by Workforce Development and Retirement Administration are: School Employees Retirement System, State Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System and the Judges Retirement System. Over the next two to three years, we project a substantial annual increase in the number of individuals retiring and a consistent annual increase in the number of members becoming inactive. Our vision is to provide fast, easy access to complete and accurate information and exceptional service. See our web site for additional information on the retirement systems: www.michigan.gov/ors.
Workforce Development and Retirement Administration has been enhancing its internal systems gradually over the last four years so the increasing number of customers will continue to receive quality services. In this next phase of our system development, we will allow customers to serve themselves at their convenience through the Internet. The purpose of this RFP is to identify a Contractor who will deliver secure online self-service functionality for information review, data collection and transactional business to the 1 in 18 Michigan citizens served by the ORS.
The online system being proposed will be integrated with our existing retirement application, which is described in TASK/DELIVERABLES section, will be conducted primarily in the General Office Building located in the State Secondary Complex. Server systems are also located in the State Secondary Complex and in downtown Lansing.
Bidders should quote their proposal based on this Work Project Request and the attached Business Considerations Document. (See Attachment 1)
Information provided in this Work Project Request is intended solely to assist Contractors in the preparation of proposals. To the best of the State’s knowledge, the information provided is accurate. However, the State does not warrant such accuracy, and any variations subsequently determined will not be construed as a basis for invalidating the RFP. The State reserves the right to cancel this Request for Proposal (RFP), or any part of this RFP, at any time.
Contractors are advised that the State has methods, policies, standards and guidelines that have been developed over the years. Contractors are expected to follow these requirements. For example, the State’s Project Management Methodology (PMM) must be followed. The PMM may be reviewed at www.michigan.gov/projectmanagement.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
The objectives of this project are as follows.
1.  Improve the overall quality of service to members provided by the Office of Retirement Services.
2.  Provide expanded services to membership by offering ability to transact business online at the convenience of the customer rather than only during standard office hours.
3.  Reduce call center wait times by reducing the number of members who need to contact the call center to transact business.
IN SCOPE:
The Contractor will provide the following services for the complete and successful implementation of a web self service application (WSS) providing the functionality required for the State’s business operations for the Michigan Department of Management and Budget, Workforce Development and Retirement Administration.
1.  Recommendation for an infrastructure architecture solution that will support 24 x 7, real-time transaction processing in conjunction with the current application (internal online access daily and nightly batch processing). This recommendation will be made in conjunction with the state of Michigan and with a consultant selected by the state who has expert knowledge of the existing application.
2.  Development of use cases for each of the requirements in the attached Business Considerations Document. (See Attachment 1)
3.  Design & development of the application including prototyping where appropriate.
4.  All services needed to design, develop, test, document and deploy the solution.
5.  While most calculations will be performed within the Clarety application (see Out of Scope), some calculations will need to be developed and performed within the WSS application.
6.  Deliver all levels of test, which may include installing a local development and testing environment at the Contractor’s facility. Testing includes Unit, System Test (to include business function testing, integration testing, technical/performance (to mimic peak use) testing and regression testing), User Acceptance Testing, end-user Focus Group Testing, and regression testing as needed.
7.  Train up to 20 staff members such that they are prepared to train the remainder of the staff on all end-user functionality.
8.  Knowledge transfer to the business design staff, the programming staff and the hardware support staff.
9.  Documentation as needed, including finalized use cases, training manuals and user manuals.
10.  Web site statistics typical of those provided in standard web metric software programs.
11.  Support during the warranty period as provided in the Business Considerations Document.
12.  Optional maintenance period after warranty.
OUT OF SCOPE:
1.  Contractor will not be required to supply hardware or commercial software to the state. Any hardware or software needed will be procured for the state through existing state contracts.
2.  Installation of hardware onto the state’s network and installation of software onto state-owned servers will be performed by state personnel. If contractor assistance is necessary, arrangements will be made for the contractor to participate in installation with state personnel.
3.  Most calculations (of pensions, taxes, etc) and other income projections will be done by calling/using methods that already exist in the Clarety application. Contractor will not be responsible for writing these programs.
4.  Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) payments.
5.  Once warranty is complete, there is no ongoing maintenance requirement unless ORS chooses to engage the Contractor for the Optional Maintenance described in Task/Deliverables, #14.
6.  Help Desk and Technical Support.
SKILL SET/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
At a minimum (1) Project Manger, (1) Sr Website Designer/Developer, (1) Web Designer/Developer, and (1) Web Publisher/Designer is required. . Bidders are required to complete a Resume Template for each resource. (See Attachment 1,2, 3, & 4) Additional resource needs are to be determined by the bidder.
Project Manager - 1 Required for the duration of the project.
1.  Experience developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) independently or by facilitating team sessions.
2.  Experience developing a project schedule using MS Project and/or Niku
3.  Experience developing project time and cost estimates.
4.  Experience managing project personnel.
5.  Experience creating and delivering project communications and status to all levels of management.
6.  Experience with using a structured, team approach to website design, such as Information Architecture.
7.  Experience designing and facilitating the execution of usability tests.
8.  Formal training in project planning and large-scale website design techniques.
9.  Minimum of three (3) years of IT Project Management experience, PMP and familiarity with PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge from the Project Management Institute)
10.  Minimum of two (2) years of full time experience managing website design projects.
Senior Website Designer/Developer – 1 Required for the duration of the project.
1.  Minimum four (4) years experience in systems analysis, three (3) years in the design of large-scale websites and web development experience in a business-oriented PC environment.
2.  Minimum of two (2) years experience developing dynamic websites and applications using active server pages
3.  Minimum two (2) years experience using a relational database management system such as SQL and Oracle, in site or application design projects.
4.  Working experience in a Netscape Enterprise (NT) and Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) web or intranet environment.
5.  Minimum of two (2) years experience in Java programming language and the development of Java Server Pages (JSP).
6.  Minimum one (1) year experience in a Novell Netware or Microsoft Network Environment.
7.  Working experience and knowledge of TCP/IP protocol.
8.  Working experience and knowledge of FTP, SMTP, HTTP, and other Internet/web protocols.
9.  Working experience in the design and development of secured websites, including use of LDAP, SHTML, Secured Socket Layers, encryption, PKI.
10.  Working experience developing Data Models and Process Models.
11.  Formal training or exposure to structured development methods such as RAD, JAD, JRD, or Extreme Programming is desirable.
12.  Minimum one (1) year experience using a team approach to website and application design and development.
13.  Formal training in website design techniques.
14.  Demonstrable knowledge of site designs, layout, graphics, interface design by site reference or portfolio.
15.  Experience designing and facilitating the execution of usability tests.
16.  Experience in using site design tools such as WSAD, Dreamweaver, Adobe PageMill, Front Page, NetObjects Fusion.
17.  Formal training in project management.
Designer /Developer
1.  Minimum two (2) years experience in systems analysis, one (1) year in the design of large-scale websites and web development experience in a business-oriented PC environment.
2.  Minimum of one (1) year experience developing dynamic websites and applications using active server pages
3.  Minimum one (1) year experience using a relational database management system such as SQL and Oracle, in site or application design projects.
4.  Working experience in a Netscape Enterprise (NT) and Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) web or intranet environment.
5.  Minimum of one (1) year experience in Java programming language and the development of Java Server Pages (JSP).
6.  Minimum of one (1) year experience in a Novell Netware or Microsoft Network Environment.
7.  Working experience and knowledge of TCP/IP protocol.
8.  Working experience and knowledge of FTP, SMTP, HTTP, and other Internet/web protocols.
9.  Knowledge of the design and development of secured websites, including use of LDAP, SHTML, Secured Socket Layers, encryption, and PKI.
10.  Knowledge of Data Models and Process Models.
11.  Formal Training or exposure to structured development methods such as RAD, JAD, JRD, or Extreme Programming is desirable.
12.  Minimum one (1) year experience using a team approach to website and application design and development.
13.  Formal training in website design techniques is preferred.
14.  Demonstrable knowledge of site designs, layout, graphics, interface design by site reference or portfolio.
15.  Experience designing and facilitating the execution of usability tests.
16.  Experience in using site design tools such as WASD, Dreamweaver, Adobe PageMill, Front Page, NetObjects Fusion.
Web Publisher/Designer
1.  Minimum of 1 year of systems analysis, web page design, site design, and Web development experience in a business oriented environment.
2.  Minimum of 1 year of full time experience developing dynamic web sites.
3.  Working experience with Cold Fusion 4.5 and Cold Fusion Studio is preferred.
4.  Experience in the use of site design tools such as WSAD, Dreamweaver, Adobe PageMill, Front Page, Experience participating in a structured team approach to designing and developing Web sites.
5.  NetObjects Fusion.
6.  Working experience in using Vignette site design and content management tool or ability to be trained.
7.  Demonstrable knowledge of site design, layout, graphics, interface design via site reference or portfolio.
8.  Working experience in a Netscape Enterprise (NT) and Windows Internet Information Server (IIS) Web server environment.
All contract personnel must also have the following skills and abilities.
1.  Ability to solve problems, work closely with business clients and maintain a good rapport with customers, both internal and external.
2.  Ability to communicate clearly, in English, through both written and oral communications.
3.  Ability to work productively in the fast-paced and unexpected changes that exist in a production web design and development environment.
4.  Ability to accept comments and criticisms in a professional manner in order to produce a superior product.