The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has doubled the size of its contract with Deloitte Consulting to develop a prototype for a new social media-inspired update to myGov..
When a government agency wiretapped a consulting firm in mid-March, the DTA committed nearly $10 million to the project, which will run through mid-September. But last week, the agency adjusted the size of the contract to nearly $20 million without releasing any information about why the consulting bill doubled.
Deloitte will now receive an exact sum of $19,482,168 to build a beta model of a new government digital “experience” platform that will work alongside myGov. Earlier this year, the Digital Transformation Agency already paid a Big Four accounting and consulting firm approximately $1 million to design and prototype the new platform.
The new platform, which is known as GovDXP, aims to provide Australians with a smoother and more cohesive digital service. More than 15 million people have a myGov account and on average more than 170,000 people use the platform every day. But inspired by the popularity of Facebook, Instagram and Netflix, the agency believes a more modern, user-centric platform could improve uptake and engagement.
Justifying the development, the DTA said that “major customer service companies have modernized and transformed their digital experiences in recent years” and as a result “Australians expect a similar experience from government..”
A key pillar of the Government’s Services Australia strategy, GovDXP will initially operate alongside the existing myGov platform and replace the current myGov portal after a period of beta-launch and further development. Users use myGov to manage job search, tax, child support and healthcare services, among other things.
Deloitte Consulting is one of Australia’s leading technology consulting firms, provided by its Deloitte Digital division. The firm also provides a range of corporate finance, strategic advisory (Monitor Deloitte) and business advisory services, along with legacy audit and accounting services.
As part of the GovDXP program, the DTA also hired the strategic consulting firm McKinsey & Company develop a business case for a new platform. Meanwhile, Australian law firm Maddocks will receive $100,000 in legal support for the GovDXP project.