'ACCESS YOUR RECORDS' SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Descriptions

The objective of this procurement process is to source a delivery partner who will work with us in developing further the 'Access Your Records' service. We plan to award a contract for an initial 6 month period, with an extension option of up to 12 months (i.e. a maximum of 18 months in total).

The Access Your Records (AYR) Service offers secure online login for select government and all-access TNA users to browse and search the metadata and record content of digital records they have transferred to The National Archives with ease. They can browse or search to find individual records and view them in the browser or download them if required.

This service is distinct from public access services as it also provides access to records that are closed to the public if they are subject to an exemption under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

There are many reasons why a government department may need to view previously transferred records e.g. if an FOI request has been made against a closed record or if a public inquiry or subsequent investigation relates to records already transferred to the archive.

AYR is following an iterative Agile development approach.  All service enhancements will be planned and implemented in response to evidenced user need. We anticipate making improvements to all aspects of the service including our search, browse and view journey. There will also be things we have not yet anticipated that will emerge from user research and stakeholder engagement. 

The current technology stack comprises: Github, AWS, Open Search, Python, Flask, GDS design system, Universal Viewer.