An example of procuring a digital service: Service Map

Some of the minimum requirements for the Helsinki Region Service Map

A very high level of accessibility was set as a requirement for the implementation of the service. In the tendering process, the client set requirements such as the following for suppliers with regard to the practical implementation of accessibility and the work methods used to support it. It may be useful to selectively utilise the specifications set in the call for offers for the Service Map in other types of procurements as well.

  • Automatic browser testing of the application for the regression testing of the accessibility requirements set for the user interface, including not only generic WCAG criterion testing but also automatic testing of the accessibility requirements tailored for the user interface by accessibility experts.
  • The team is constantly working together, deciding on the next work phases and assessing interim implementations collaboratively. The work also requires quick small-scale solutions for the test environment that can be used to deepen the discussion on the solutions and request accessibility assessments from experts. Every member of the team knows their respective work responsibilities and mirrors them against the overall solutions, always taking into account the usability and accessibility of the service, as well as the specifications set in the EU Directive on accessibility. The work will also require cooperation and meetings with different stakeholders and work assessors.
  • The user interface programmers must have expertise in and experience with implementing the legally prescribed accessibility requirements in the service outside the map user interface.
  • The compliance of a service with the accessibility requirements is often not verified until shortly before the commissioning phase (see the requirements mentioned at the beginning of this document). However, this project involves more frequent audits, even during the development work on the service.
  • Accessibility tests are ordered to be performed on the service while the work is in progress. This will ensure that the requirements of the accessibility directive are met and appropriate standards and technologies (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) WCAG, ATAG, ARIA) are used. This requires long-term and functional cooperation with different stakeholders (e.g. an accessibility representative, accessibility experts, accessibility information producers) from the entire team.
  • The work requires familiarity with the accessibility directive and prior knowledge of the Service Map.

Software designer

  • The minimum requirement is that the persons on offer have been in a significant role in the implementation of an application that is accessible according to an external accessibility auditor. In this context, ‘application’ refers to a digital responsive web application with accessible functions. A static website is not considered to be an application. 
  • The person has, as evidenced, designed an accessible web application and carried out development work through prototypes (e.g. invision, justinmind). They have also been in customer contact with various end users who have different accessibility needs for a user interface.
  • Provide an account of a work or application the design of which the person has been involved in. The object of the account must meet the minimum requirement. No additional points are awarded for a large number of projects.
  • Provide an account of a prototype that the person has designed or attach a link to where the prototype or its layout can be found. The object of the account must meet the minimum requirement. No additional points are awarded for a large number of projects.
  • Describe what the person’s role was in the aforementioned work.
  • Indicate who carried out an accessibility assessment on the work/application and where the statement can be found.
  • Does the person have prior experience with the Helsinki Region Service Map as a service? What is the purpose of the Service Map? 

Software developer

The person has been in a significant role in the implementation of an application that is accessible according to an external accessibility auditor. In this context, ‘application’ refers to a digital responsive web application with accessible functions. A static website is not considered to be an application.

  • Provide an account of a work or application the development of which the person has been involved in. The object of the account must meet the minimum requirement. No additional points are awarded for a large number of projects.
  • Has the person been in a significant role in the implementation of a work or application that is accessible according to an external accessibility auditor? 
  • Indicate who carried out an accessibility assessment on the work/application and where the statement can be found.
  • The person has been involved in a project in the role of a React or Redux programmer.
  • Has the person familiarised themselves with the solutions and functions of the Service Map (https://palvelut.hel.ninja/fi/)?

Technical project manager

The expert offered by the supplier must have been in a significant role in the development of a service that is digitally accessible and utilises geospatial information. The work must have included designing and implementing a map user interface. The person must also have back-end and front-end knowledge of the service in question. From an accessibility perspective, the reference service must provide an up-to-date accessibility statement created by a third party. The demonstration of competence requested can be the same for all of the areas of expertise asked about. Individual requirements can also be set for different demonstrations.

A back-end and front-end software development expert who is also a technical project manager.

  1. Has the person been involved in creating a service that is digitally accessible?
  2. Has the person been in the role of a technical project manager? 
  3. Has the person been involved in creating a service that utilises geospatial information?
  4. Has the person been involved in creating a service in which a map user interface is part of the service?
  5. The minimum requirement for back-end work is expertise in all of the following areas. Yes/no
    1. Back-end competence (Python, GeoDjango, HayStack) 
    2. Django REST framework
    3. ElasticSearch 
    4. Mastery of containerisation tools (Docker, Docker Compose) 
    5. Extensive geospatial information competence 
    6. WMS/WFS/TMS interfaces
    7. Geoserver
    8. PostGIS competence 
    9. Mastery of the basics of Unix and shell scripting
    10. Nginx, uWSGI (web server technologies)
    11. Mastery of the Microsoft Azure services 
  6. The minimum requirement for front-end work is expertise in all of the following areas. Yes/no
    1. React/NodeJS/NPM
    2. MaterialUI 
    3. Geospatial information technologies (Leaflet/OpenLayers) 
    4. TravisCI 
    5. Knowledge of the Appdynamics analysis/maintenance monitoring program

Service Map contact person and additional information: henna.niemi@hel.fi