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DHSC: Comms: Lot-2-Qualitative Research: Strategic Communications and Policy Development

Department of Health and Social Care

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Aug 2026 at 14:41

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) commissioned qualitative research services to support strategic communications, Government narrative and policy development. The work covers strategic deep-dives into priority issues, narrative testing, and research to inform the design and implementation of policy. It falls within research services and social research services, and is a services contract. Delivery is associated with DHSC’s London location at 39 Victoria Street, SW1H 0EU, and the United Kingdom. This requirement is suited to organisations that can provide robust qualitative research and turn evidence into practical advice for communications and policy teams. The scope links research delivery with strategic interpretation, rather than being limited to data collection alone.

The procurement has been completed and awarded following a tender procedure; its procurement method is recorded as “Other”. The tender submission deadline was 5 June 2026 at 12 noon. The contract was awarded to Basis Social Limited on 10 July 2026 for £2,500,000, with the contract running from 7 July 2026 to 6 July 2028. DHSC is the buyer. The award relates to Lot 2, Qualitative Research for Strategic Communications and Policy Development. The opportunity was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. The requirement was evaluated through the tender process, with research expertise central to the awarded scope.

This award demonstrates a substantial, multi-year requirement for qualitative research supporting a central government health department’s communications and policy work. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need to show strong qualitative research capability, including the ability to investigate priority issues in depth, test narratives with relevant audiences, and produce evidence that can shape policy design and implementation. It would also need to connect research findings to strategic communications and Government narrative, rather than treating fieldwork as an isolated activity. The buyer’s stated suitability for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises indicates that smaller specialist research organisations may be well placed, provided they can deliver the required quality, strategic insight and capacity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DHSC: Comms: Lot-2-Qualitative Research: Strategic Communications and Policy Development

Notice Description

This tender (Lot 2 - Qualitative Research for Strategic Communications and Policy Development) is to appoint a Supplier with expertise in qualitative research to inform strategic communications, Government narrative and policy development for the Department, including strategic deep-dives into priority issues, narrative testing, and research to inform the design and implementation of policy.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-203b17ae-f5e0-4e9a-b316-16bba2f8a571
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/370b68af-2b58-425a-9d35-39cd1cdbba9a
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other -
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
7 Jul 2026 - 6 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department of Health and Social Care
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 0EU
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Basis Social Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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