UNBOXED CONSULTING LIMITED

e-Petitions

e-Petitions enhances political engagement by allowing citizens to create, circulate, and sign petitions. Once they reach the required number of signatures, the outcomes of parliamentary debates are shared with the petitioners. This service is currently employed by the UK, Scottish, and Welsh Parliaments, and the Government of Jersey.

Features

• Create petitions and share them with your network
• View government-debated petitions with linked supporting video, text, and documents
• View responses by government to petitions
• Customise for different political organisations from national to local level
• Petition management and moderation
• Government response and debate management
• Strong cyber security for fraud prevention
• Securely hosted on AWS
• Geo-restrict signatures by IP address lookup
• Notify petition supporters of updates

Benefits

• Increases public involvement with politics in a constructive way
• Enables public engagement and dialogue with elected representatives
• Highly scalable to match popular demand from the public
• Offers insights on topics central to public interest
• Provides insights into regional issues
• Gives an accessible voice to the whole population
• Simple to use, following GDS design best practices

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales-team@unboxedconsulting.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

354584945279589

Contact

Jo Oliveira
+44 (0)20 7183 4250
sales-team@unboxedconsulting.com

About your service

• Service categories:

  Applications

  Production and operations

  Service industry and public sector operations

  • Other
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: No, the product will be customised and configured to your organisational needs. Once implemented, maintenance is scheduled to fit with your requirements.
• System requirements: N/A: this product is cloud based, accessed via web

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support: Yes
• Web chat support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Web chat accessibility testing: Untested but stated on Slack website
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: We provide second and third line support for priority 1 and 2 events. This is either 24 hours a day 7 days a week or business hours only.; ; The cost for the support service is either £6,300/month for 24/7 or £3,150/month for business hours only.; ; After the first hour, issue remediation costs £170/hour.These events are resolved by our cloud support engineers.
• Support available to third parties: Yes
• AI chatbot: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: E-Petitions requires customisation to fit your organisational needs. Our team of designers and developers work with you to establish the requirements and then deliver a customised solution within agreed timescales. This is charged on a day rate basis.; A part of this service is training your team on how to use e-Petitions.
• Service documentation: No
• End-of-contract data extraction: Our engineers can work with you to extract the data in the format you need. e-Petitions does not contain generic user data export functionality.
• End-of-contract process: The service offered here is a bespoke customisation of e-Petitions, this will be charged on a time and material basis. e-Petitions will either: (a) be implemented on your instance of AWS; or (b), on Unboxed’s instance of AWS.; In the case of (a), once the implementation is complete, there are no further costs. With (b) you will be invoiced monthly hosting fees until such point as you wish to cancel the service or migrate the hosting.; Unboxed is available to provide ad-hoc support on a time and material basis and, should you require it, an ongoing guaranteed support contract. These are additional costs to the initial project.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: The product has been created with responsive design, this means that regardless of the device being used to access it, the interface is displayed in an optimal way for that format.
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• API: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Prior to go-live, all implementations are customised by our designers and developers to fit your organisational needs. We will scope this collaboratively with you, we charge for our team based on their day rates.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: E-Petitions is hosted on AWS and is engineered for scalability.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Other locations
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: Less than once a year
• Penetration testing approach: Another external penetration testing organisation
• Protecting data at rest: Physical access control, complying with SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type: Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: User data is not exported. We can work with you to create custom exports based on your organisational requirements.
• Data export formats: CSV
• Data import formats: CSV

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
• Other protection between networks: SSH for remote console access
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: SSH for remote console access

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: E-Petitions is hosted on AWS and availability, aside from scheduled maintenance of the product, mirrors that of AWS.; Unboxed offer an additional support service, to assist in the event of high priority issues.
• Approach to resilience: E-Petitions is built with a combination of automated test suites and manual user acceptance testing. Code is written to NCSC secure development principles and includes automated testing against OWASP identified security risks. App development framework (Ruby on Rails) provides automatic protection against CSRF, XSS and SQL injection attacks.; ; e-Petitions environments are built using IaC ensuring reproducibility and rapid reconstruction. Apps use managed services for things like cache, databases, etc. which provide automated management of updates and backups. Managed database service (AWS RDS) has both failover and point-in-time recovery - the latter provides the ability to recover lost data should accidental deletion occur.; ; e-Petitions is deployed in an autoscaling configuration that allows increasing the number of servers rapidly in response to a change in demand. e-Petitions is fronted by load balancers and CDNs with WAF configurations that allow blocking/rate limiting of requests by ip address and addition of extra rules to combat emerging threats.; ; Apps use a variety of monitoring tools like Appsignal and CloudWatch alarms to proactively alert us to errors and performance problems. Apps also include custom monitoring for exceptional events such as fraud detection.; AWS data centres use redundancy, failover, and geographic diversity.
• Outage reporting: E-Petitions is integrated with AppSignal which sends phone and email alerts using Pager Duty in the event of an outage, relevant parties are notified.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Management information for e-Petitions is only available via identity federation with an existing provider. Named individuals in your organisation are the only people who can access our support channels.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least once a year
• Management access authentication:
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: Other
• Other security governance standards: Cyber Essentials Plus
• Information security policies and processes: Directors and the CTO are responsible for Information Security. All Unboxed staff report to them in this area and comply with a Cyber Essentials Plus certified policy. Policies are enforced through training, spot-checks and device management software.
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: E-Petitions environments are built using IaC and stored in GitHub along with the source code of the application. Any changes to either the configuration or source code is raised using a pull request which is then peer reviewed (including security assessment) before being merged. The management of this process is done via the Trello kanban tool. Apps have a staging/preview environment where changes can be tested for user acceptance before being deployed to the live environment.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: E-Petitions source code repositories are configured to automatically create pull requests should a CVE security alert be published for a dependency. These pull requests are then expedited through the change management process depending on the vulnerability score and whether the application is affected by the specific mechanism in the CVE.; Servers are configured to apply updates automatically and send Slack notifications if an update requires the server to be restarted. Servers are regularly refreshed to use the latest system images so that minimal updates are required when scaling.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: E-Petitions uses a combination of monitoring tools such as Appsignal and CloudWatch to alert should we see elevated error rates, individual exceptions or performance problems such as external APIs being slow to respond or returning errors. Servers are also configured to log all commands to external services which prevents tampering and remote access is notified externally to Slack where it can be challenged and confirmed. Apps also have internal custom monitoring to alert to suspicious patterns of behaviour. Response to P1 issues is within an hour, the type of response is dependent on the issue.
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: During implementation of e-Petitions, the team works closely with you from customisation based on your requirements through to go-live. If you elect to engage Unboxed in a support contract post go-live, we provide second and third line support. We have a dedicated team trained in resolving common issues, progress on which is fed back on an hourly basis. Nominated individuals within your organisation report a P1 or P2 issue using our dedicated support phone number, after they have performed initial triage. Once the incident has been resolved, Unboxed will provide an incident report.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: Yes

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 0%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 0%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 0%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 0%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 0%
• Over £5,000,001: 0%

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: No
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Certificate Number: B3821133-d9ad-4306-9e32-06da821ee4fd
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Plus Certificate Number: 852228b7-236f-4b61-80cb-5bd4829d7b46
• Other security certifications: No

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
    • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
    • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
    • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
    • Activities to cascade good practice on fair working conditions throughout the supply chain
    • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
    • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
    • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
    • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Volunteering opportunities for staff
    • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

    • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

    • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
    • Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
    • Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain
    • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
    • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
    • Measures to involve local stakeholders and/or users in design (e.g. in the design of services, systems, products or buildings)
    • Measures to engage users and communities and build relationships to increase community integration build trust and influence how the contract is delivered
    • Plans to respond flexibly and adapt approaches to community engagement and initiatives

  • Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower: To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

    Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

    • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Understanding of how to influence staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

    • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
    • Delivery of training schemes and programmes to address any identified skills gaps and under-representation in the workforce for the contract (e.g. prison leavers, care leavers, kinship carers, disabled people)
    • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
    • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
    • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
    • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

    • Understanding of the issues affecting the development of new skills by target cohort
    • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce

  • Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future: That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

    Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

    • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
    • Understanding barriers to access to health and social care services or employment opportunities e.g. digital inclusion
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales-team@unboxedconsulting.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.