Products and Services

Service Description

The Common Web Platform (CWP) is a platform-as-a-service offering for the creation and hosting of government websites. CWP offers more services than a web hosting solution, but is not a software as-a-service product. Services include patching, disaster recovery, an online code repository and a co-funded development pool.

Agencies maintain control of their websites, including the look and feel, and can extend the functionality as required.

Agencies set up an account and start using the CWP functions provided. The platform provides parts of the solution and the agency controls the rest.

The agency controls:

• the look and feel of the website;
• the suppliers of professional services to manage and develop the websites;
• the content;
• the website's code;
• bespoke development to integrate their website with other systems; and
• other custom features and templates.

Silverstripe deliver and manage the software solution. The supplier solution is an enhanced version of the Silverstripe CMS and Solr Enterprise search with out-of-the-box features and templates selected to meet the needs of government websites. Silverstripe also provide:

• support and assistance to agency staff;
• services for agency developers / site administrators;
• reporting;
• 24/7 service desk; and
• an online code repository that allows sharing and reuse of code between agencies.

More information can be found on the Common Web Platform website.

Delivery

Silverstripe and Revera are contracted to provide the Common Web Platform.

Revera provides the relevant infrastructure, network and firewall under one of the Government's Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) contracts. Agencies deal directly with Silverstripe, and do not sign a contract with Revera.

Service URL

https://www.cwp.govt.nz/

Benefits

Website developments are usually treated as a one-off project, requiring unnecessary reinvestment in design, development, procurement and security. With CWP, agencies can use investments already made in technology components, designs, and contracts.

The Common Web Platform:

• reduces unnecessary investment by supporting agencies to reuse technology and designs already developed by other agencies;
• provides tools, versioning, and backups to help agencies comply with the Public Records Act 2005;
• provides base website templates tested for compliance with the New Zealand Web Standards, reducing the risk of publishing inaccessible content;
• provides a platform architecture that has been through an independent security review, reducing the reputational risk of websites being compromised;
• provides regular patching and software updates, reducing the reputational risk of the website being compromised;
• provides software and infrastructure components as a service, reducing the risk of poor performance or downtime due to relying on ageing software and hardware;
• provides a single content management system across the agency, reducing the risk of staff making publishing errors, and making it easier for business units to collaborate on content;
• provides a comprehensive legal contract, which reduces legal costs and includes financial incentives for the provider to meet the agreed service levels.;
• provides a base install, with website templates and features selected to meet the common requirements of government web projects. This allows websites to be set up with urgency and reduces time for web projects;
• provides advanced tools, including enterprise search and Word Document conversion, for use across all CWP websites, without the effort to set them up;
• provides control to develop a website that is agency specific, without restriction on design and functionality;
• makes new features and Content Management System (CMS) enhancements available at no extra cost, through the co-funded development pool; and
• provides a fit-for-purpose CMS, making it easy to update and restructure content.

Roadmap

Features and services are continually improved through a co-funded development pool. The development pool is managed by The Department of Internal Affairs with input from agencies using the platform.

Lead Agency

Internal Affairs

Parent Programme

Rethink Online

Adopting the service

Agencies wanting to adopt the Common Web Platform don't need to undertake a procurement process. The lead agency has procured the product on behalf of all agencies and has signed a Lead Agency Agreement with the vendor.

Agencies can take advantage of the work done by the Lead Agency by contacting the product manager and following the process below:

1. Sign a standard confidentiality agreement so the vendor's catalogue can be released.
2. Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Internal Affairs as Lead Agency. This MoU sets out each party's rights and obligations.
3. Sign a Participating Agency Agreement (PAA) with the supplier.
4. Once the MoU and the PAA are agreed agencies deal directly with SilverStripe who will assist agencies to build new sites or transition existing sites.

The PAA along with the CWP terms and conditions, as agreed in the Lead Agency Agreement with Internal Affairs, constitutes the contract to deliver CWP services to agencies.

Lead Agency Agreement summary

• Closed Supplier Panel
• Syndicated
• Initial three-year contract beginning September 2013 with two, t

Lead Agency Agreement details

The Department of Internal Affairs, as lead agency, has entered into a Syndicated Procurement Agreement (Lead Agency Contract) with SilverStripe for the purchase of the Common Web Platform. The initial contract term is for three years with two two-year optional renewals.

Revera provides the infrastructure under a Common Capability ICT Agreement (CC-ICT) with The Department of Internal Affairs for cross-government Infrastructure as a Service. This agreement allows authorised third-party suppliers who supply services to eligible agencies to use the government IaaS to benefit government agencies.