Market Research Services

{
  "id": "058401-2026",
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "date": "2026-06-22T11:21:04+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b9df",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PNZN-9524-VCQJ",
    "name": "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "project_45336",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "title": "Communications",
        "value": {
          "amount": 28811228.45,
          "currency": "GBP",
          "amountGross": 34573474.14
        },
        "status": "active",
        "options": {
          "description": "The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a “Break Point”).\nThis is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to:\n•\tGreater geographic scope\n•\tChanges to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities\n•\tChanges to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities\n•\tAdditional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs\n•\tChanges to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data\n•\tChanges how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms\n•\tOther changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways"
        },
        "hasOptions": true,
        "description": "Suppliers on Lot 1 must be able to research a wide range of audiences, including:\n•\tPassengers and the general public\n•\tEmployees\n•\tBusinesses and industry stakeholders (B2B)\n•\tPoliticians and journalists\nSuppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including:\n•\tPassenger satisfaction and experience tracking (e.g. stations, journeys, services)\n•\tCustomer and stakeholder insight (B2C, B2B and CX research) \n•\tEmployee engagement research\n•\tCommunications development and evaluation (testing messages, campaigns and materials)\n•\tBrand and reputation research\n•\tMystery shopping and on site research\n•\tBehaviour change and behavioural insight studies\n•\tSegmentation and profiling\n•\tPublic health, safety and policy related research\n•\tPolicy evaluation services \n•\tTechnology Insights",
        "secondStage": {
          "maximumCandidates": 6,
          "minimumCandidates": 3
        },
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical Envelope - Quality Criteria",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 70,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "description": "For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo."
            },
            {
              "name": "Commercial Envelope - Price Criteria",
              "type": "price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "description": "For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo."
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2036-02-05T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2027-02-05T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "type": "economic",
              "description": "Must meet financial health check score of 35 when responding to quesiton 1.4.3 in the qualifcation envelope of pqq_3909 - Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS \nMetholdogy and required submission is detailed in PSQ in the qualficaiton envelope."
            },
            {
              "type": "technical",
              "description": "Market Research Society - Company Partner Accrediation (or equivalent)\nISO27001 covering the scope of busines acitvites used to fulfil obligations under the framework"
            },
            {
              "description": "Technical 70%\nCommercial 30%\nFor detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.",
              "forReduction": true
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      {
        "id": "2",
        "title": "Commercial Property & Retail",
        "value": {
          "amount": 8578193.55,
          "currency": "GBP",
          "amountGross": 10293832.26
        },
        "status": "active",
        "options": {
          "description": "The framework will last for 8 years with break clauses from the end of the third full year for each lot. The break option shall be exercisable on and from the start of the fourth (4th) Year, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Commencement Date (each a “Break Point”).\nThis is to accommodate the retendering of the services after the transition to Great British Railways should the scope of Services required change following its implementation. Where possible such changes will be managed via variations with the Suppliers before break clauses are exercised. Variations may include but not be limited to:\n•\tGreater geographic scope\n•\tChanges to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities\n•\tChanges to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities\n•\tAdditional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs\n•\tChanges to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data\n•\tChanges how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms\n•\tOther changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways"
        },
        "hasOptions": true,
        "description": "Suppliers on Lot 2 must be able to research a range of audiences, including:\n•\tPassengers and the general public\n•\tBusinesses and industry stakeholders (B2B)\n•\tStakeholders in the wider rail and transport industries such as TOCs (Train Operating Companies), Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and their stakeholders\nSuppliers must be able to deliver both qualitative and quantitative research, including:\n•\tTrends and insight into retail buying behaviours of passengers and consumers \n   o\tGeneral retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) \n   o\tTravel retail consumer buying behaviours (national and global) \n   o\tCustomer experience – experiential activity \n•\tCustomer profiling and segmentation\n•\tThought leadership in the retail and commercial sphere \n•\tTurning information into actionable insights for daily decision-making and strategic planning",
        "secondStage": {
          "maximumCandidates": 6,
          "minimumCandidates": 3
        },
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true
        },
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical Envelope - Quality Criteria",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 70,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "description": "For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo."
            },
            {
              "name": "Commercial Envelope - Price Criteria",
              "type": "price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "description": "For detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo."
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2036-02-05T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2027-02-05T00:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "type": "economic",
              "description": "Must meet financial health check score of 35 when responding to quesiton 1.4.3 in the qualifcation envelope of pqq_3909 - Market Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS \nMetholdogy and required submission is detailed in PSQ in the qualficaiton envelope."
            },
            {
              "type": "technical",
              "description": "Market Research Society - Company Partner Accrediation (or equivalent)\nISO27001 covering the scope of business acitvites used to fulfil obligations under the framework"
            },
            {
              "description": "Technical 70%\nCommercial 30%\nFor detailed question breakdowns please see the published ITP (Instructions to Participants) document in the Procurement Documentation published alongside the PSQ events in Bravo.",
              "forReduction": true
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79310000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Market research services"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79310000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Market research services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Market Research Services",
    "value": {
      "amount": 37389422,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 44867306.4
    },
    "status": "active",
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA",
      "CPTPP"
    ],
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "id": "future",
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "accessDetails": "All documents for both the selection (PSQ) and award (ITT) phases will be published with the PSQ events in a combined manner (stage 1 of the process as detailed in the 'Procedure' section of this notice). Where procurement documents have updates, they will be published in the relevant PSQ or ITT to which they relate of which there are 8 as outlined below and this will be communciated to all Participants.\nCertain tender-stage documentation is provided in draft form at the qualifcation (PSQ) stage of the procurement and may be refined prior to invitation to tender. Further details are set out in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo.\nStage 1\nPSQ  pqq_3909\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS\nPSQ  pqq_3910\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 2 - Lot 1 Requirements\nPSQ  pqq_3911\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 3 - Lot 2 Requirements\nStage 2\nITT\titt_19471  Market Research Framework ITT 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS ALL LOTS\nITT\titt_19476  Market Research Framework ITT 2 - Lot 1 Requirements\nITT\titt_19475  Market Research Framework ITT 3 - Lot 2 Requirements\nITT   itt_19535 - Market Research Framework ITT4 Lot 1 Commercial Submission\nITT   itt_19536 - Market Research Framework ITT5 Lot 2 Commercial Submission"
      },
      {
        "id": "058401-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058401-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-06-22T11:21:04+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "procedure": {
      "features": "This procurement is for 2 separate lots for assorted Research & Insight services. Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots and may be awarded one or both Lots. There are 3 slots for awardees on each lot. This is a framework to establish a mechanism for future call-offs in each respective lot. \nStage 1) This is a qualification stage (PSQ) open publicly. This has 3 PSQ events. 1 PSQ for common requirements to both lots 1 & 2, and then two separate PSQ events with Lot specific requirements. Participants will be shortlisted at this stage and following assessment, 6 participants will be shortlisted for each Lot. Participants will be issued feedback letters as per Procurement Act 2023 requirements before the next stage commences.  \nStage 2) Shortlisted Participants will be invited to Tender at the ITT stage. The ITT stage has 5 events. An ITT for common requirements for both lots and then two lot specific ITTs for the technical submissions and 2 separate events for the commercial submissions. Each lot will have a shortlist of 6 participants invited to tender for it. The 6 Tenderers per lot will be assessed and the highest scoring 3 (based on MAT, the Most Advantageous Tenders) per lot will receive a position on each lot under the framework as outlined in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo.\nCertain tender-stage documentation is provided in draft form at the qualifcation (PSQ) stage of the procurement and may be refined prior to invitation to tender. Further details are set out in the Instructions to Participants document found in Bravo."
    },
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "recurrence": {
      "dates": [
        {
          "startDate": "2035-02-02T23:59:59+00:00"
        }
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "type": "open",
        "method": "withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition",
        "description": "Contract Orders shall be awarded through 3 methods as defined below for Lot 1 \n1)\tCompetitive Selection Process for requirements above £250,000\n2)\tRequests for Quotations (RfQs) for requirements over £100,000 up to £250,000\n3)\tDirect award for requirements up to £100,000\nContract Orders shall be awarded through 3 methods as defined below for Lot 2:\n1)\tCompetitive Selection Process for requirements above £250,000\n2)\tRequests for Quotations (RfQs) for requirements over £60,000 up to £250,000\n3)\tDirect award for requirements up to £60,000\nValues above are exclusive of VAT. \nPricing tendered acts as Not-to-Exceed rates for methods 1 and 2 (Competitive Selection Process & RfQs). Participants may bid lower than Not-to-Exceed rates in methods 1 and 2 in each lot, but may not bid higher. Day rates per resource/personnel type are tendered. For call off method 3 in both lots, direct awards use the Not-to-Exceed rates but once spend thresholds per financial year with each supplier are reached, discount threshoolds set in (which are tendered and scored parts of the Commercial crtieria at the ITT stage). \nCompetition detail for Competitive Selection Process and RfQs is detailed in the Procurement Documentation published in Bravo alongside the PSQ. \nPricing is subject to CPI adjustement on an annual basis starting in 2028. Details of the mechanism are outlined in the Procurement Documentation published in Bravo.",
        "buyerCategories": "This framework will be available to Network Rail, Great British Railways, Department For Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), and their subsidiaries, successor organisations and affiliates.",
        "periodRationale": "N/A - Framework is 8 years",
        "maximumParticipants": 6,
        "buyerLocationRestrictions": [
          {
            "gazetteer": {
              "scheme": "GB-ITL",
              "identifiers": [
                "UK"
              ]
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2027-01-18T23:59:59+00:00"
    },
    "description": "Network Rail procures B2C/B2B/CX research services & commercial/consumer market intelligence to support internal and external communications, marketing & engagement activities. This is currently done via a multi-lot framework with multiple suppliers per lot to facilitate both short- and long- term projects with call off mechanisms varying subject to value. NR is undertaking market engagement via a questionnaire to help understand how to potentially retender these services. Any eventual procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.\nThis Tender notice is linked to preliminary market engagement notice reference: ocds- h6vhtk - 060cc9",
    "riskDetails": "The transition to Great British Railways could alter the scope of services required rendering the Agreement no longer be suitable. The full scope of potential changes/risks to this reform could bring are not yet fully known. Scope elements affected/requiring change may include but not be limited to: \n•\tGreater geographic scope\n•\tChanges to locations services may be required at, for example more managed stations or public facilities\n•\tChanges to services/research types required so long as they support the Buyer in its research needs to support Communications, Commercial Property and Retail activities\n•\tAdditional/amended safety or performance provisions due to any of the above changes including KPIs\n•\tChanges to Data Protection requirements and the processing of personal data\n•\tChanges how Contract Orders may be raised and call-off mechanisms\n•\tOther changes to permit or support the transition to Great British Railways\nWhere possible such changes will be managed via Variations with the Supplier(s) as per Clause 28 of the terms and conditions. Where this cannot be done, Network Rail/the buyer reserves the right to terminate the framework and/or exercise break clauses.",
    "contractTerms": {
      "financialTerms": "28 days"
    },
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-07-13T17:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "specialRegime": [
      "utilities"
    ],
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "submissionTerms": {
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ],
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
    },
    "participationFees": [
      {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b9df",
        "type": [
          "win"
        ],
        "description": "N/A No fees"
      }
    ],
    "procurementMethod": "selective",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "Tenders must be submitted by Bravo electronically. Suppliers can register here for the platform: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html\nThe opportunity listing where the procurement event can be accessed can be found here: https://networkrail.bravosolution.co.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60720\nThis link provides access to the PSQ events wherein all documentation required is attached for Participants to view and access.\nParticipants must complete the PSQ below regardless of what lot(s) they intend to participate in:\nPSQ\tpqq_3909\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LOTS\nParticipants will then complete one or both of the below PSQs subject to if they want to participate in Lot 1, Lot 2 or both: \nPSQ\tpqq_3910\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 2 - Lot 1 Requirements\nPSQ\tpqq_3911\tMarket Research Framework PSQ 3 - Lot 2 Requirements\nThe shortlisted Participants invited to Tender must then complete the below ITT regardless of which lot they wish to tender for:\nITT\titt_19471\tMarket Research Framework ITT 1 - MANDATORY COMMON REQUIREMENTS ALL LOTS\nShortlisted Participants will then be invited to the relevant ITTs per lot they declared themselves as bidding for in the PSQ stages: \nITT\titt_19476\tMarket Research Framework ITT 2 - Lot 1 Requirements\nITT\titt_19475\tMarket Research Framework ITT 3 - Lot 2 Requirements\nITT   itt_19535 - Market Research Framework ITT4 Lot 1 Commercial Submission: Contains the commercial submission for Lot 1.\nITT   itt_19536 - Market Research Framework ITT5 Lot 2 Commercial Submission: Contains the commercial submission for Lot 2.\nFailure to complete the common requirements PSQ and/or ITT alongside your lot specific submissions will result in an incomplete bid and Network Rail may not be able to assess them. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete submission and Network Rail may be unable to consider your response(s) and this could lead to exclusion.\nThe deadline for PSQ submissions is 12:00 20/07/2026 with clarifications relating to the PSQ stage closing on 13/07/2026 at 17:00.\nClarifications for the Tender stage will be confirmed later in the process but provisionally tender submissions for shortlisted participants will be required by 30/09/2026 at 17:00 with clarifications relating to the ITT stage closing by 23/09/2026 at 17:00.",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
    "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2026-07-20T12:00:00+01:00"
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PNZN-9524-VCQJ",
      "name": "NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKI45",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "SE1 8SW",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Waterloo General Office"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.networkrail.co.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PNZN-9524-VCQJ",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "tom.hedges@networkrail.co.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}