The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) invites firms to submit a Proposal for the following: The supply of one (1) full-time resource to act as the Integration Architect for an initial period of twelve (12) months, with an irrevocable option to extend for an additional period of twelve (12) months, to support information management and assist in developing essential artifacts to enhance integration capabilities (also to contribute to the WCB's strategic project initiatives, specifically within the IT risk mitigation portfolio).
Description of Services
The WCB requires the Contractor to supply the Integration Architect on a full-time basis [thirty-six and a quarter (36.25) hours per week] to provide their leadership, expertise, and support of the WCB's integration track risk mitigation and transition to the target state digital ecosystem.
The Integration Architect, who will be a core member of the EAO's center of excellence, will work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement the WCB's enterprise integration strategy, in line with the EAO's operating model, strategic objectives, and governance. The Integration Architect will present any architecture changes in the integration domain at the ARB for approval and cross alignment with other architecture domains and IT operations, working closely with vendors, and ensuring that it supports the WCB's IT risk mitigation vision.
The Integration Architect will be responsible for the overall performance, standards, and direction of the architecture for the integration domain and the creation/updates to key enterprise architecture deliverables. This position will also oversee all deployment in integration platform environments, support solution development efforts.
The Integration Architect will assess and identify risks associated with IT-managed operational environment, prioritizing high-risk areas by collaborating with IT teams, risk managers, and stakeholders to define actionable architectural solutions that address vulnerabilities effectively.
The Integration Architect will collaborate with IT risk management teams to plan and design integration architecture solutions that align with mitigation objectives and are adaptable to evolving organizational needs.
In the event of an incident or breach, the Integration Architect will work with the WCB's information security team and other architects to provide architectural guidance to address the root causes of security incidents and propose measures to prevent recurrence.
The Integration Architect will develop and maintain detailed documentation of all architected risk mitigation solutions, ensuring clarity and accessibility for stakeholders involved in implementing and maintaining these solutions.
The Integration Architect will be responsible for the integration initiatives at the WCB and for directing the architectural aspects of the integration strategy across all aspects of IT and the business.
The Integration Architect will be responsible for building a target state integration model that includes, but is not limited to:
a) Clear allocations of responsibility for integration related functions;
b) Formal mechanisms for collaboration on integration strategy and policy;
c) Formal or informal means for cross-functional collaboration and the sharing of best practices; and
d) Integration security and risks management.
It is expected that the Integration Architect has the experience and capabilities to successfully achieve the following responsibilities:
a) Plan, design, implement, and maintain all integration environments and services in the WCB with a priority on the WCB's IT risk mitigation program;
b) Lead the analysis of the WCB's future-state integration capabilities and future (and current) IT environment to detect critical gaps and opportunities and recommend solutions for improvement to drive integration migration;
c) Identify organizational requirements for the resources, structures, and cultural changes necessary to support the integration work stream;
d) Identify and translate business and technical requirements into target and reference architectures to achieve IT risk mitigation objectives;
e) Maintain integration infrastructure architecture and monitor its performance according to WCB business objectives;
f) Research, evaluate, and recommend integration infrastructure solutions/platforms based on business and technology considerations, and suitable alternatives to satisfy the WCB's needs;
g) Integration of the selected platform with existing IT infrastructure, enterprise tools, and systems;
h) Ensure compliance of integration solutions to architectural standards, principles, and solution patterns;
i) Act as a subject matter expert on technologies and trends in integration architecture;
j) Assist in integration infrastructure planning and implementation, including preparation, configuration and administration, and integration of service level and vendor support agreements;
k) Perform advanced troubleshooting concerning integration infrastructure operation (diagnose problems based on knowledge of application architecture, orchestration, virtualization, system operation, etc.);
l) Perform evaluations of integration technology standards, tools, products, and solutions to identify opportunities for improvement and speed up user adoption;
m) Remain abreast of emerging integration technologies in order to evaluate and recommend external vendor offerings to determine best fit for the WCB's business needs; and
n) Produce technical documents of systems and architectures.
The Integration Architect is expected to possess the following skills, competencies, and characteristics:
a) Ability to articulate new ideas and concepts to technical and non-technical audiences;
b) Ability to build collaborative working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders;
c) Strong analytical ability and mind-set;
d) Ability to rapidly acquire new knowledge and skills;
e) Familiarity with service design and pricing in the context of integration-based solutions;
f) Working knowledge of integration management platforms;
g) Experience in an integration architect role in a complex operating environment;
h) Hands on implementation experience in the design and provision of integration technologies;
i) Experience deploying and operating a public integration framework;
j) Experience with integration networking including Express Route, MPLS gateway, IPSEC, and Private Peering; and
k) Experience with integration deployment, technical and security architecture, legacy infrastructure architectures, database architecture, virtualization, software design, software development, IP networking, agile development, application lifecycle management, programming languages, technical solution architecture, and Microsoft Azure.
The Services shall normally be performed during Business Hours. However, the WCB may request some of the Services to be performed outside Business Hours from time to time, as deemed necessary, in the unfettered discretion of the WCB. The Contractor shall not be entitled to charge overtime rates unless specified in the Fee Schedule.
The Contractor will not be required to have and maintain workers compensation coverage for its workers who will be providing the Services, unless required pursuant to The Workers Compensation Act.
The Proposal should include an overview of the proposed resource(s) being offered, including profiles of work, which highlight their experience performing similar projects. Vendors are expected to provide the following for each proposed resource:
a) Resource's name and identify any subcontractor relationship (i.e. if individual resource is not an employee of the Vendor);
b) Completed skills matrix identifying resource's skills and knowledge;
c) Ability to start on WCB's preferred start date or later date of availability; and
d) Resume of resource.
Final selection of a resource may be subject to an in-person, telephone, or video conference interview by the WCB.
The Services shall be provided onsite at the WCB's facilities located at 333/363 Broadway in Winnipeg, Manitoba at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the time, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
It is expected the Services will be required for an initial period of twelve (12) months with a preferred start date of April 28, 2025. The WCB shall have an irrevocable option to further extend the Services on the same terms and conditions and fees for one (1) additional period of up to twelve (12) months.
Vendors are strongly encouraged to provide a skills matrix for each resource that is being offered for the Integration Architect position. The WCB may use the skills matrix, in addition to the Vendor's general information, and resume of the proposed resource(s), as an additional tool to evaluate the suitability of a resource for the Integration Architect position.
Vendors are not permitted to contact any employees, officers, or agents of the WCB for matters regarding this RFP, except in writing to the Agreement Administrator. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in the disqualification of a Vendor and rejection of its Proposal.
