Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
OFCOM
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
UK
Contact person: Hayley Watson, Senior Procurement Manager
Telephone: +44 79813000
E-mail: hayley.watson@ofcom.org.uk
NUTS: UKI
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: UK Independent Communications Regulator
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Ofcom Market Research Framework 2024 - 2028
Reference number: C20231581
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79310000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Ofcom is tendering for a Market Research Framework. Ofcom’s Market Research team commissions primary research projects and services, working with a range of teams across the organisation, including Economics and Analytics, Networks and Communications, Broadcasting and Media Policy, Spectrum, Strategy & Policy and Online Safety. We require suppliers that can deliver high quality market research projects, with findings suitable for publication, following industry best practice. Examples of our work can be located on the Market Research section of the Ofcom website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data
There will be six Market Research Lots in the new framework for the provision of standard market research services, each of which relate to a broad area of standard research expertise; Quantitative (Adults), Qualitative (Adults), Qualitative (Adults minority groups), Children’s Research (Qualitative and Quantitative), Online omnibus/ panel and Behavioural Insight. If Ofcom has a specialist or niche market research service requirement, we may choose to commission that through the framework, or we may choose to commission it via an open Invitation to Tender Process, by inviting specialist suppliers to bid.
At this stage of the process, Applicants are invited to express an interest in providing standard market research services to Ofcom in one or more of these lots. Applicants that pass this initial assessment will be invited to take part in the second stage of the tender. If successful in the second stage of the tender, they will be added as suppliers to the framework agreement for a particular Lot(s).
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
20 000 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: Lot 1 – Quantitative Research (Adults)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will have expertise in standard quantitative research techniques, including face to face, online and telephone interviews. Robust data quality assurance processes are essential. Tenderers should also have expertise on research with UK citizens, consumers & audiences and with advanced statistical techniques, such as segmentations and key driver analysis. Projects will typically relate to broadcasting, telecoms, online behaviour, and postal services. Projects will include UK residential respondents and, occasionally, business surveys. Tenderers must be able to comply with the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Tenderers awarded a place on this Lot 1 will be invited by Ofcom as and when the need arises, to bid for specific service requirements via a "mini competition". Please note that being added to the framework does not guarantee any business, nor will it necessarily provide the opportunity to bid for quantitative research projects that Ofcom considers to be non-standard or specialist in nature.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 2– Qualitative Research (Adults)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will have expertise in a range of standard qualitative research techniques amongst UK citizens, consumers and audiences. For example, focus groups, depth interviews, deliberative techniques and ethnography. Projects will typically relate to broadcasting, telecoms, online behaviour, and postal services. Projects will include UK residential respondents and, occasionally, business surveys. Audio visual recording will often be required. Tenderers must be able to comply with the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Tenderers awarded a place on this Lot 2 will be invited by Ofcom as and when the need arises, to bid for specific service requirements via a "mini competition". Please note that being added to the framework does not guarantee any business, nor will it necessarily provide successful tenderers exclusive appointment for qualitative research projects that Ofcom considers to be non-standard or specialist in nature.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 3 – Qualitative Research (Adults minority groups)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will have expertise in a range of qualitative research techniques amongst a minority or hard-to-reach group (or groups) of adults in the UK population. This Lot will include suppliers who have specialist expertise in conducting research among a particular group (e.g. disabled people, ethnic minority groups) and may also include suppliers who have the capacity and expertise to conduct research among a range of different minority groups. Ability to adapt methods to recruit and research inclusively with target populations will be key.
Projects on this Lot will typically relate to broadcasting, but may include other sectors. Audio visual recording will often be required. Tenderers must be able to comply with the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Tenderers awarded a place on this Lot 3 will be invited by Ofcom as and when the need arises, to bid for specific service requirements via a "mini competition". Please note that being added to the framework does not guarantee any business, nor will it necessarily provide successful tenderers exclusive appointment for qualitative research projects that Ofcom considers to be non-standard or specialist in nature.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 4 – Children’s Research (Qualitative and Quantitative)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will need to have the highest ethical and safeguarding standards, and experience of research with vulnerable children and sensitive topics. Our focus here is on online safety in relation to UK children. In 2023 we expect that the Online Safety Bill will be passed which will make Ofcom the regulator responsible for online safety in the UK. It is crucial that we secure an in-depth understanding of user experience, attitudes and behaviours. This means an increased need for us to conduct research with children, focused on online safety issues (which are often sensitive and difficult-to-research topics). The safety of participants and researchers is of utmost importance and successful suppliers will need to provide us with full details of ethics and safeguarding approaches. We are seeking research partners with experience and understanding in this area to deliver high-quality ethical research to inform public debate. It is possible that some of our research needs may require specialist expertise (e.g. trauma informed clinicians) and we are open to suppliers partnering with other specialists to meet project needs. Tenderers must be able to undertake qualitative and/or quantitative research that complies with the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Tenderers awarded a place on this Lot 4 will be invited by Ofcom as and when the need arises, to bid for specific service requirements via a "mini competition". Please note that being added to the framework does not guarantee any business, nor will it necessarily provide successful tenderers exclusive appointment for children's research projects that Ofcom considers to be non-standard or specialist in nature
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 5 – UK online omnibus/ panel surveys
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will need to be able to be able to deliver statistically robust online surveys amongst the UK population. Typical requirements will be for UK-representative samples, or for surveys amongst minority groups in the UK population (for example, customers of a particular supplier, or vulnerable groups).
Our requirements from suppliers will typically be for a 'full-service' provision, to include advice, questionnaire design and analysis and reporting. Bids to join the framework will be assessed on this basis, although the winning bidder(s) will also be required to provide 'field and tab' services from time to time, where Ofcom would provide the agency with a questionnaire and the output requirement will be data tables and files only.
Often, the projects commissioned on this lot will be designed to efficiently collect consumer data to deliver to relatively tight project deadlines. Tenderers must comply with the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Under Lot 5 the default position will be that Ofcom will call off specific service requirements on a ranking basis. The Tenderer ranked first under this Lot will be offered the work first, should they decline or not be in a position to complete the work the second placed supplier will be offered the work and so on.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 6 – Behavioural Insight
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79310000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Suppliers will have good understanding and experience of projects that involve behavioural science.
Our in-house behavioural insight team will require support for projects that apply behavioural science techniques to policy design, particularly with regards to online behaviour.
We anticipate that suppliers on this Lot will be invited to submit proposals for projects including the provision of randomised control trials, literature reviews, user research (incl. user testing) and behavioural analysis among adults (and occasionally children).
Tenderers awarded a place on this Lot 6 will be invited by Ofcom as and when the need arises, to bid for specific service requirements via a "mini competition". Please note that being added to the framework does not guarantee any business, nor will it necessarily provide successful tenderers exclusive appointment for behavioural research projects that Ofcom considers to be non-standard or specialist in nature.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2023/S 000-016890
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Title: Quantitative (Adults)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 42
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Accent
Z7108225
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
BMG Research Limited
02841970
Helsby
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Continental Research (BVA BDRC)
02578457
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Critical Research Ltd
6566825
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Jigsaw Research Ltd
07642707
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MTM London Ltd
05025878
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Savanta Group Ltd
281352
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Title: Qualitative (Adults)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 51
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
2CV Limited
3195457
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Blue Marble Research
5639871
Croscombe
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
BMG Research Limited
02841970
Helsby
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Jigsaw Research Ltd
07642707
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Magenta Research Ltd.
09982818
Surbiton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MTM London Ltd
05025878
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
PA Consulting Services Limited
00414220
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
OC303525
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ESRO Ltd (Trading as Revealing Reality)
Clapham
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Kantar Public Limited trading as Verian
13663077
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Verve Partners Limited
06663787
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 3
Title: Qualitative (Adult Minority Groups)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 31
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
2CV Limited
3195457
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Blue Marble Research
5639871
Croscombe
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Continental Research (BVA BDRC)
02578457
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Explain Market Research Limited
02880683
Newcastle upon Tyne
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Humankind Research
10690925
Hove
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ICE Creates Ltd
732833240
Wirral
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
IFF Research Ltd
00849983
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Jigsaw Research Ltd
07642707
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Magenta Research Ltd.
09982818
Surbiton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MEL Research Ltd
03000946
Birmingham
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The National Centre for Social Research
4392418
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Opinium Research LLP
OC331181
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
PA Consulting Services Limited
00414220
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
OC303525
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Savanta Group Ltd
281352
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Kantar Public Limited trading as Verian
13663077
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Yonder Consulting Limited
4153928
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 4
Title: Children's (Qualitative and Quantitative)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 16
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Beano Studios Ltd
10054526
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The Behavioural Insights Team
08567792
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
BMG Research Limited
02841970
Helsby
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Discovery Research Limited
03068609
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
DJS Research Ltd
5494158
Stockport
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Firefish Limited
03854900
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
IFF Research Ltd
00849983
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Magenta Research Ltd.
09982818
Surbiton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MEL Research Ltd
03000946
Birmingham
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Opinium Research LLP
OC331181
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ESRO Ltd (Trading as Revealing Reality)
Clapham
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 5
Title: Online Omnibus/Panel
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 14
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Yonder Consulting Limited
4153928
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Savanta Group Ltd
281352
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 6
Title: Behavioural Insight
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 18
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The Behavioural Insights Team
08567792
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Cowry Consulting LTD
9819435
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ipsos UK
00948470
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Irrational Agency Limited
10034145
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
London Economics Ltd
04083204
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Kantar Public Limited trading as Verian
13663077
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Trinity McQueen Ltd
08389485
Leeds
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Verve Partners Limited
06663787
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 20 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Court of Appeal of England and Wales
London
UK
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Court of Appeal of England and Wales
London
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/06/2024