DHSC: Social Care Data Access Project - Private to Public Beta

Tender description

Pre-market engagement A pre-market engagement survey was conducted in November 2025 to inform our procurement approach and strategy as well as project planning. The insights provided by the survey were intended to guide decision-making and ensure that the procurement process is robust, transparent, and aligned with both organisational objectives and supplier capabilities. Key findings relevant to the procurement process 1. Market engagement : Suppliers were in favour of activities to support their understanding of the project and product requirements. To respond to this, we are running a Q & A session Monday 5th January 11am. 2. Supplier information needs: Suppliers requested a range of background information to support their understanding including architecture diagrams, data flows, user research findings, KPIs. In response to this, DHSC has compiled a dossier of supporting documentation covering the project to-date, including an overview of datasets and technical architecture, which will be made available to applicants. Work done so far At the time of this procurement the project has completed discovery and alpha phases. Discovery was completed in March 2024. Alpha was completed September 2024. We are currently in private beta. For further detail see: the GDS assessment report for alpha the end of phase reports for all of these phases. These reports document findings, progress made, rationale for decision-making and recommendations for next steps. demonstrations of the MVP and working prototype: https://youtu.be/ovEnUCUJJs0 - MVP demo https://youtu.be/o65lpdQ_2hI - Prototype demo Which phase the project is in Beta Existing team The core DHSC team is composed of the Head of Data & Strategy Team, Project and Policy Lead, Product Manager, and Benefits and Communications Lead. The temporary hosting environment is being provided (at cost) by current deliver partner until it can be migrated to the department’s analytical cloud platform. The broader team includes analysts including statisticians, data scientists and economists. The supplier will also be working with key data development project leads across the department, and other government departments and agencies, who will provide crucial data feeds into the product. External social care stakeholders are supporting the project through the DAP Steering Group. Address where the work will be done All work will be conducted remotely, with occasional in-person meetings at 39 Victoria Street London, Quarry House Leeds, or at delivery partner offices as deemed appropriate / convenient by mutual assent. As per usual practice all travel and subsistence expenses must be agreed in advance and normal departmental limits apply. Delivery Partner team members who require a DHSC email address and/or laptop in order to perform their regular duties will be issued with these on request. As we will use UK data, we require data to be kept within the UK. The solution provider will therefore be required to be UK based. Working arrangements The supplier's staff will be expected to be available during the typical working hours of Monday to Friday (9.00am to 5.00pm) to maximise collaboration and knowledge sharing. We require the supplier to conduct the usual agile ceremonies, weekly updates, 'show and tell' workshops, planning sessions, and any additional sessions as required. We want the supplier to maintain a project planning tool that encompasses internal DHSC tasks as well as product-related tasks and to be able to show both DHSC and product activity on a timeline/project plan. This will include producing resources and documentation of work undertaken to provide a comprehensive record of what has been done and decisions made. We expect clear and continual communication between the supplier and the DHSC team to ensure a joined-up approach. Sessions will take place remotely unless otherwise agreed. Collaborative in person workshops to be arranged as in an appropriate location. As mentioned above, for agreed in-person workshops all travel and subsistence expenses must be agreed in advance and normal departmental limits apply. In our beta phase, we seconded 3 supplier staff into DHSC to enable them to access relevant datasets as if they were DHSC analysts. We want to continue this way of working so it is important that staff put forward for secondments pass basic security requirements. The contract will be managed in line with DOS 6 call-off contract requirements and using DHSC’s contract management guidance. By integrating the Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework guidelines with DHSC's specific contract management guidance, the call-off contract can be tailored to meet the department’s unique needs while ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and best practice. More information available in the bid pack Provide more information about your security requirements: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Latest start date 2026-04-01 Enter the expected contract length: 1 year Extension period: 1 year Write the term or acronym: DAP Write the term or acronym: GASCD Write the term or acronym: CQC Write the term or acronym: GDS Write the term or acronym: ASC Write the term or acronym: CLD Write the term or acronym: CT Write the term or acronym: ONS Write the term or acronym: DAC Write the term or acronym: PQP Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes Indicative maximum: 19450000 Provide further information: The budget available for 26/27 is £ 1,719,950 for the development, migration, and scaling of the service and £ 225,000 for ongoing support, user engagement, evaluation, and change management activities. Potential extension depending on need and approval will be up to the same value Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Summary of work The Data Access Project (DAP) has 2 main objectives; we expect our supplier to contribute to the achievement of both. The objectives are: a) To enable government to learn what the key data needs and gaps are for adult social care stakeholders, to improve evidence-based strategic decision-making in the sector. b) To deliver a trusted, user-centred digital service – Get Adult Social Care Data (GASCD) – that transforms fragmented raw data into harmonised, robust insights for adult social care stakeholders. These insights can be tailored to different contexts – such as geography or service type – enabling practitioners to move from data to decisions. By applying user-centred design principles, the service ensures accessibility for users with varying levels of digital and data maturity, allowing them to interrogate and apply insights based on their specific needs.  Further information available in bid pack Where the supplied staff will work No specific location (for example they can work remotely) Why the work is being done Purpose and Rationale The Data Access Project (DAP) is being undertaken to address significant challenges in adult social care (ASC) related to fragmented, hard-to-access data. Currently, care providers and local authorities spend considerable time submitting data but do not feel they get sufficient value in return. A lack of a single, reliable data source impairs their ability to make informed decisions, hampers innovation, and constrains efforts to improve outcomes for people who draw on care services. GASCD responds to these challenges. The work builds towards a National Care Service that is underpinned by national standard, is in support of the NHS 10-year plan and supports broader government aims to make public data more accessible. Specifically the project is: Delivering tailored data insights to support ‘home first’, integrated neighbourhood services, and improved care quality through a professionalised workforce. Enabling local authorities and care providers to make evidence-based decisions on prevention, service planning, and workforce needs and so improve the outcomes delivered for people who need support from adult social care services. Providing a modernised data infrastructure, a critical enabler for better decision-making and outcomes and align with the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) strategic priorities for digital innovation and reform. Future capability of the project includes supporting pandemic preparedness and incident response through timely, reliable data shared with key sector partners, addressing lessons from COVID-19. Further information available in bid pack The business problem you need to solve The DAP is designed to address significant challenges in the adult social care (ASC) sector related to data access, quality, and usability. The core business problem is that decision-makers—including local authorities, care providers, and policymakers—lack timely, high-quality, and accessible data to inform planning, resource allocation, and service improvement. This results in: 1. Fragmented data sources: Data is held in multiple, siloed systems, making it difficult to gain a comprehensive view of ASC needs and outcomes. 2. Limited data sharing: Legal, technical, and cultural barriers restrict the sharing of valuable data between organisations, especially unpublished or novel insights. 3. Slow and manual processes: Current methods for accessing and analysing ASC data are often manual, slow, and resource-intensive, leading to delays in decision-making. 4. Inconsistent data quality: Variability in data quality and completeness undermines confidence in the insights generated and limits their usefulness for benchmarking or policy evaluation. 5. Barriers to innovation: Without robust, accessible data, it is challenging to introduce digital tools, AI, or advanced analytics that could drive sector-wide improvements. Further information available in bid pack First user type: Please see the end of phase reports for alpha and beta to understand more detail about user types, needs and tasks. First user type: Care providers First user type: Local Authorities (LAs)