NSW seeks human service data maintenance

The NSW Government is seeking a service provider to ensure the state's 70,254 human service and justice records are up-to-date and error-free.

The contractor will be asked to maintain and update the state's Human Service Network (HSNet), which comprises web-based human services directory ServiceLink and an electronic referral component ReferralLink.

Based on custom Hyro AccessPoint software, HSNet facilitates information sharing across public and private sector human services and justice agencies such as the NSW Departments of Ageing, Disability of Home Care; Education and Training; Police; NSW Health; and Premier and Cabinet.

Each record comprises some 100 files detailing the location, contact information, and offerings of service providers including community welfare organisations, legal and medical centres.

Funding for the contract totals $275,000 and comes from HSNet's operational budget, which is provided by the state's various human services and justice agencies.

The contract spans three years with two additional one-year extension options, and replaces a similar five-year agreement with Victoria-based Infoxchange Australia that expired this year.

According to a spokesman for the NSW Department of Services, Technology and Administration, the maintenance of service information has been outsourced since HSNet was delivered in 2005.

Noting that only maintenance and not management of records would be outsourced, the spokesman said the records would not contain personal information, and information would only be published with the service provider's approval.

"Maintaining service information in this way has proven to be the most cost-effective and efficient option, allowing organisations providing human services to focus on specialist service provision," he told iTnews.

The successful tenderer will report to and liaise with the Manager, HSNet as part of the project.

Performance will be evaluated on the quantity of updates performed, percentage of data with identified errors, and the percentage of incomplete ad hoc record update requests.

The call for tenders closes on 17 August.