West Yorkshire Residents Survey

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (CA) is interested in exploring options to procure an online panel that would service business to customer (b2c) research activity. Additionally, potentially, we are looking at options from the same service provider, to also cover business to business research (for the purposes of continuing our Leeds City Region Business Survey).Since its formation in 2014, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (CA) has conducted a range of behavioural research via discrete commissions. This ranges from full-service research commissions to fieldwork-only services. We recognise there is an opportunity to move away from this model towards a more centralised, flexible approach. In addition, feedback from research companies has indicated that some research projects that have traditionally been conducted via telephone interviews might be better suited to online-based techniques. We believe that the growth of online activity and smartphone uptake by a wider range of age groups makes conducting statistically robust, representative online surveys a more viable option than they have been previously. We are therefore considering flexible low-cost options for establishing a West Yorkshire online panel.Prior to procurement, the CA wishes to consult with the market and we are inviting suppliers to submit their views in relation to a future tender opportunity where the CA will be able to conduct a range of primary research activity using an online panel of West Yorkshire residents, representative of the local population. The online panel/community will be used to capture residents’ views on transport, housing, jobs and the environment, culture and policing. The information received in this consultation shall enable the Combined Authority to make an informed decision on its requirements. Please contact procurement@westyorks-ca.gov.uk for additional background information and a number of questions for which we are inviting market feedback by 20th September.