Planning

Fake reviews: Understanding Prevalence and Consumer Harm

BUSINESS ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 May 2022 at 13:11

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is in the planning stage of a tender titled "Fake reviews: Understanding Prevalence and Consumer Harm." This procurement process is focused on research and experimental development services and will take place in London, United Kingdom. A key milestone is the engagement end date on 26th May 2022. The initiative is aimed at understanding the impact of fake online reviews and requires potential suppliers to read an attached supporting document that outlines the department's proposed research approach prior to a Supplier Day scheduled for the same date.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in research and development consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in consumer behaviour analysis and market research. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as BEIS is keen to collaborate with organisations capable of delivering insightful findings that can inform policy decisions on consumer protection. The engagement process and subsequent research work are intended to support legislative clarity, thereby allowing businesses to reinforce consumer confidence online.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Fake reviews: Understanding Prevalence and Consumer Harm

Notice Description

Fake reviews are reviews that do not reflect an actual consumer's genuine experience of a good or service. In 2021, BEIS launched the Reforming Consumer and Competition Policy (RCCP) consultation, which sought views on ways for government to address the issue of fake online reviews and proposed adding practices related to this to the list of automatically unfair commercial practices in Schedule 1 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPUTRs) 2008. The department also sought views on ways to address the issue of commissioning and/or incentivising a person to write or submit a fake review. The department published its response to the consultation in April 2022, noting that the majority of respondents agreed that fake reviews were a concern and not helpful to consumers. Government remains committed to ensuring that consumers can shop online with confidence where their decisions are based on reviews and will consult in due course on adding fake reviews to the list of banned practices in the CPUTRs. This will give greater clarity to businesses and, where fake reviews are posted, allow enforcers to take effective action quickly. Government is also keen to work with businesses and consumer groups to ensure any further requirements in legislation are clear and proportionate, supporting businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside this engagement, BEIS is looking for a partner to conduct research into the issue of online fake reviews. The results of this analysis will be used to inform policy development and ensure policy decisions are evidence based and informed by the testing of potential solutions. The supplier will be responsible for ensuring the project fulfils the research aims and objectives outlined by BEIS. The aim of this work is to understand: i. The prevalence of online fake reviews for a pre-determined basket of goods on the most popular third-party UK e-commerce websites ii. How online fake reviews influence consumer choice when making online purchases iii. The consumer detriment that occurs as a result of fake reviews and how this varies by demographic groups iv. The effectiveness of potential non-regulatory interventions in nullifying the impact of fake reviews on consumer decisions The department sets out a proposed research approach in the attached supporting document, which the department advises all suppliers to read through ahead of the Supplier Day. This will help to inform any discussions during the Supplier Day and provide greater insight into the research project. When released, the Invitation to Tender (ITT) will provide more details about the expected responsibilities of the supplier in delivering the required research outputs. Additional information: In order to provide prospective suppliers with the opportunity to gain more detail on the project and identify potential partners, BEIS are holding a Supplier Day via MS Teams on 26th May 2022 from 9:30am till 11:30am. Interested organisations please contact Rory Thompson (rory.thompson@beis.gov.uk) to reserve your place.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1bd19f4c-9392-445c-84c6-4af99a83a3b8
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2b41a2dc-7a0a-4b1a-a338-e28d31e202c9
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 May 2022Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BUSINESS ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 0ET
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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