Provision of Local Prices Data Collection for consumer price inflation statistics (CPI, CPIH, HCIs and RPI)

Introduction

Local Price Collection takes place across 141 UK locations through around 300 field collectors every month under the current operating model. The delivery of this service is currently fully outsourced to a commercial provider.

Local Price Collection is vital to produce Consumer Prices Index (CPI), Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH), Household Costs Indices (HCIs) and Retail Prices Index (RPI) statistics. These consumer price inflation statistics are important indicators of how the UK economy is performing. They are used in many ways by individuals, government, businesses, and academics. Inflation statistics impact on everyone, as they influence interest rates, tax allowances, benefits, pensions, savings rates, maintenance contracts, and many other payments.

The ONS is initiating preliminary market engagement ahead of the future procurement of Local Price Collection service delivery. We are exploring new delivery models, including the potential to insource some elements of the service, either from the outset or progressively over time.

The Contract structure and Procurement Strategy are yet to be decided, however to gauge capability we would welcome feedback from suppliers who can provide services to meet some or all of the following capabilities, either independently or as part of a consortium bid.

The information below outlines the aspects of each capability and the associated delivery requirements. It also flags how flexible the aspect is and where we would invite novel solutions from suppliers.

1 - Data Collection

(a) Delivery of data collection service

• Recruitment, training, and management of a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Oversight of operations involving hundreds of collectors undertaking one week of collection per month.
• Collection of item prices in outlets across specific locations
• Maintaining adherence to collection requirements

There is limited scope for flexibility in the delivery of this aspect.

(b) Quality Assurance of data and ensuring service continuity

• Compliance with key performance indicators to ensure complete and accurate data is delivered
• Commitment to quality indicators aligned with The Government Data Quality Framework
• Timely delivery of data to meet monthly processing schedules
• Establishing and maintaining robust quality controls
• Support ONS in service delivery risk management, business continuity, and delivery contingency planning
• Meet parallel run requirements during transition period

There is some flexibility in the delivery of this aspect beyond our minimum requirements.

(c) Innovation and continuous improvement throughout the lifetime of the contract

• Reviewing and enhancing processes to identify improvements including to data quality and operational efficiency for supplier and ONS benefit
• Remaining aware of innovative technologies and software, and collection methods to explore applications to benefit service delivery.
• Proactively produce plans and timelines to carry trials for future enhancements for example supporting transformation work. There is full scope for flexibility in the delivery of this aspect beyond our minimum requirements.

We would invite supplier solutions.

2 - Enabling technology

(a) Data handling, management, and security

• Ensuring awareness of security requirements and working alongside ONS security team to gain approval that meets expected standards of data and security governance
• Secure transfer of collected data through encrypted channels and controlled devices which adhere to legal and ONS requirements
• Integrate with ONS' existing cloud based pipelines, validation processes, and monthly schedules

(b) Software and device testing, integration and delivery

• Identifying appropriate software and devices to meet requirements provided by ONS
• Testing integration and usability of devices independently and in collaboration with ONS

There is considerable scope for flexibility for this aspect beyond our minimum requirements.

We would invite innovative supplier solutions.

As part of an information gathering exercise, we request that you complete the questions via Microsoft Forms. The answers to the questions will help to inform our procurement strategy.

Link (please copy and paste into your internet browser):

forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx ↗

Capability Assessment - Fill in form

We also welcome any interest in scheduling supplier sessions to discuss capability. Format/timing of the supplier sessions will be advised. Please indicate in your Microsoft Forms response whether you would like to engage in a supplier session.

Additional Information

This Exercise is NOT a pre-qualification or selection exercise and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process that may apply to any future potential procurement. It is intended to act as an awareness and information gathering exercise offering an opportunity for suppliers to advise us on the extent to which they potentially can provide some or all the services that ONS may require, in order to help ONS with its future intentions