Ahead of a programme of “radical, transformative change”, the government is to explore how best to ensure the sharing of data between departments and the current barriers to doing so.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – which is currently putting together the government’s National Data Strategy – is to conduct a six-week review of the current data-sharing landscape across government.
The department is seeking a supplier to provide an expert team of consultants that can help it assess existing “organisational, technical, legal and cultural barriers to sharing data”. The chosen firm will also assist in reviewing best practice for systems and practices.
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The assessment will also consider current the legal and ethical ramifications of data sharing, as well as “technical capabilities and capacity” throughout the civil service.
The chosen provider will be awarded a £60,000 contract to work with DCMS for an initial six-week period, beginning on 1 April. This may be extended to “develop options and recommendation around the merits of a mandatory approach across government, [and] how useful data emerges after sweeping away legacy technology”.
The process will be used to help inform government’s approach to the spending review, DCMS said, and the findings may be taken and applied to the wider public sector.
Bids for the project are open until midnight on 20 March.