Request for Information: Learning Technology - Released

Opportunity Details - BuyICT

Overview

The APS Academy is leading a market research initiative to gather information on learning technologies supporting activities and functions across the whole cycle of learning to help plan, develop and realise a One-APS learning technology ecosystem. This works supports the Highly Capable, Future-Ready: APS Learning and Development Strategy and the Highly Capable, Future Ready: APS Learning and Development Action Plan. 

A One-APS learning technology ecosystem needs to be an integrated network of diverse tools, platforms, content, people, processes, and data that work together to foster collaboration, sharing of resources and create a unified approach. 

This Request for Information (RFI) is conducted to build an understanding of current market offerings, capabilities and potential innovations to inform future procurement planning by making findings available to participating agencies across the APS. It will help provide strategic oversight to support alignment, efficiency and innovation in the use of learning technologies across the service.

We are seeking responses to a broad set of requirements that have been developed with input from over 35 agencies. Learning technology vendors of all sizes and specialisations are invited to respond against one or more service categories depending on their offerings.

The scope of learning technologies for this RFI extends to all features and functionalities that support end-to-end learning processes, including but not limited to:

• the design through to administration of learning experiences
• the learner’s career planning and discovery of learning opportunities
• the full gamut of learning activities from simulations to social learning
• functions related to reporting, planning and evaluating organisational learning.

This scope includes opportunities to enable interoperability and integrations with related systems and functions, such as:

• opportunities to establish compatible systems across agencies for cohesive user navigation, shared data
• scalable core solutions that can support multiple agencies
• integrations with HR systems, performance management, payment systems, capability frameworks and opportunity marketplaces.

The products and services may be current offerings, planned enhancements or new proposals; niche or general-purpose; off-the-shelf, customised or bespoke; and offered as standalone products, add-ons, product suites or all-in-one solutions. This includes outlining emerging functionality (such as Artificial Intelligence).

Responses to this RFI may also be used to help support potential future large-scale digital and ICT investment proposals.

Work already done

A series of extensive user research and co-design processes have been conducted to understand current challenges and opportunities relating to learning technology across the APS.

Over 220 participants across the APS were engaged in interviews and workshops including learners, L&D staff and leadership from 37 Commonwealth agencies. 

The findings from this process included a key recommendation for agencies across the APS to work in coordination to progressively establish a more connected ‘One-APS’ learning technology ecosystem. User, business and system needs were synthesised to produce the detailed statement of requirements for this RFI. 

For further information regarding the discovery research, please visit: ​​Help us shape the future of learning technology driven by user needs​

The users and their needs

This RFI is informed by extensive research, consultation and co-design activities that have identified common needs of four key user groups across the APS, including but not limited to:

Technical and business constraints

Each agency faces its own set of constraints which are determined by common factors that can vary widely, including:

• ICT governance, policies, priorities and service remit
• system architecture, data, available connection points (e.g. APIs) and existing integrations
• internal budgets, resources, staff capacity and capabilities
• existing technology capabilities and maturity levels.

Each agency is responsible for how each of these drivers impact their decisions, however where possible we should try to streamline solutions to lower barriers to adoption and enable common, scalable efficiencies which meet both user and business needs.

In this complex environment of many different systems, we anticipate that a successful ‘One-APS' learning ecosystem will not be based on sharing the same systems and technologies, but instead will require various solutions which agencies adopt, are able to connect, and exchange data, so that information can be shared and users can navigate a seamless, cohesive experience across systems. Therefore, integration and interoperability will be an essential element to realise this objective. Regardless of who at the time is providing the goods or service. Enabling learners to navigate multiple touchpoints through a connected, integrated, or fully seamless experience would help eliminate barriers to rapid capability development, fostering a more agile and high-performing APS workforce. 

For example, learners want a profile that follows them across agencies, ensuring continuity and personalisation throughout their careers. This in turn, could centralise reporting for predictive capability insights. Another example is - L&D staff would like better utilisation of authoring applications that allow the network to support cross collaboration when creating learning experiences. This can help reduce duplication. 

Learning technology

An extensive list of functionalities spanning these user needs across service categories is provided through BuyICT RFI-03647. In addition, general requirements are listed which concern basic system functionality, quality of service, compliance with policies and standards, and the supplier’s service delivery model.

Vendors are invited to describe additional products and services beyond the specific requirements that have been outlined, if they aligned to the objectives of the RFI. Technology is a rapidly changing environment itself and is fundamentally changing the world around us. Through this process, it will help provide strategic oversight to support alignment, efficiency and innovation in the use of learning technologies across the service.

Examples of various technology which supports learning and development is below.

One-APS Learning Technology ecosystem

Ultimately to achieve a One-APS vision and support the L&D Action Plan we aim to realise 4 key pillars of action:

• Govern: Move towards a One-APS learning technology ecosystem through coordinated action. Agencies representative of different sizes and levels of technical and learning expertise work together to shape what activities to take forward to support a One-APS learning technology system.
• Uplift: Strengthen L&D staff skills to equip them to provide better services to learners. Strengthen and develop the capabilities of L&D staff to effectively use learning technology across business functions.
• Connect: Utilise individual agency investments whilst working collectively. Enhance interoperability by connecting existing systems and enabling integrated channels for a more cohesive and efficient learning ecosystem. For example, support the learner’s journey (from profile creation all the way through to analysis), and utilise authoring applications that allow L&D staff network to support cross collaboration when creating learning experiences.  
• Construct: Explore, design and implement scalable core technology solutions that support sustainability and flexibility across the system. 

What are the benefits of participating in this RFI?

This RFI is conducted as a market research activity to gather information about available solutions and capabilities across the learning technology market.

By participating, suppliers gain insights into customer needs, help shape future planning, and is an opportunity for businesses to showcase what goods and services they have to offer.

A large number of agencies helped contributed to this RFI. Agencies will be able to access this information to support their individual or cooperative (more than one party) procurement processes. Questions in the Response Pack are linked to agencies problem statements, hypothesises, pain points, future goals, statement of requirements (SoRs) and challenges agencies face when creating businesses cases to support implementing technology (whether that be new, existing, or enhancing).

Various types of learning technology, support different stages of the learning journey. This is not restrictive to any type during the different stages. For further information, please refer to BuyICT RFI-03647.

A high-level summary table of the benefits of RFIs for both suppliers and agencies is below. 

For agencies

If your agency would also like to be part of this process or have any questions, please contact us. 

When contacting us please provide:

• Your email
• GovTeams email
• Your role
• Agency name in full
• Branch and Line area name