UK government advertises for partner for digital identity check app

The UK government has issued a tender for a common digital identity check app for online access to services through Gov.uk.

The government says it wants to build a new digital identity check integrated with its planned single sign-on for government services. It also wants to look at how app technology could improve their convenience and efficacy.

A procurement notice says the contract is worth up to £4.8 million. The Government Digital Service (GDS) will work with a technology supplier, which will also be expected to support government research into digital service delivery and build up the government’s app development capability.

GDS notes that in 2020 at least 75 percent of Gov.uk traffic came via mobile.

The tender notes the importance of modern smartphones to be able to scan documents using the near-field communication (NFC). In order to offer a best-in-class identity check to users, GDS will need to incorporate this functionality.

It also asks a potential supplier for experience of building native apps, working as part of a wider programme, where the team is the system integrator and uses best of breed services within it, for example, biometrics.

The supplier will be expected to work within a wider team of Civil Servants, contractors and suppliers throughout the contract term. Knowledge transfer will be required to enable GDS to improve internal capability to build and support services.

GDS revealed its intention to build a single sign-on (SSO) solution earlier this year, suggesting it will learn from projects, including its Gov.uk Verify.

The contract is expected to cover two years from a start date at the beginning of 2022 or earlier, with a break clause after the first year.

The project is now moving into a private beta phase.