Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

2026-026 Cost Allocation and Recovery Review Deliberative Research

Ofgem

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2026 at 17:45

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ofgem commissioned a deliberative consumer research project on how people think about and respond to different ways of allocating and recovering costs across the energy system. The work examines consumers’ lived experiences and priorities concerning affordability, service quality, ease of engagement, fair treatment and the effectiveness of support for vulnerable consumers. It is intended to establish what consumers value, the trade-offs they would accept and the reasons for their preferences, so Ofgem can take consumer views into account in future policy and regulatory decisions. The requirement is for research and market research services (CPV 73110000), with the stated delivery coverage including the United Kingdom and several international locations. Ofgem is based in London.

The procurement has been completed and awarded following an open procedure. Thinks Insight & Strategy (Britain Thinks) Limited was selected on 28 August 2026, for an awarded value of £193,512.50. The contract period runs from 28 August 2026 to 31 December 2027. The original tender submission deadline was 1 January 2026. The evaluation criteria and any lot structure are not described in the available procurement information.

This award shows that Ofgem purchases specialist consumer research to inform energy-system policy, with a particular focus on how consumers understand and weigh cost allocation and recovery options. Suppliers competing for a similar requirement would need credible expertise in deliberative research and market research, and the ability to investigate consumer priorities and the reasons behind them. The work calls for research that can address affordability, service quality, engagement, fair treatment and support for vulnerable consumers, while producing robust evidence about preferences and trade-offs. Experience engaging consumers on complex energy-policy questions and synthesising findings into evidence useful for regulatory decision-making would therefore be relevant. The procurement was marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, indicating that a capable specialist firm need not necessarily be a large supplier.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

2026-026 Cost Allocation and Recovery Review Deliberative Research

Notice Description

Ofgem is seeking to commission a deliberative research project to explore how consumers think about, assess and respond to different approaches to cost allocation and cost recovery across the energy system. The supplier will conduct market research to examine consumers lived experiences and priorities in relation to affordability, quality of service, ease of engagement, fair treatment, and the effectiveness of support available to vulnerable consumers. The findings will provide Ofgem with robust evidence on consumer preferences, including what consumers value most, the trade-offs they are willing to make, and the reasons underpinning those preferences. This will support informed decision-making on future policy and regulatory approaches to cost allocation and recovery, ensuring that consumer perspectives are appropriately reflected in Ofgem's considerations.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£193,512 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£193,512 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Aug 20261 months ago
Contract Period
28 Aug 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 1-2 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
Ofgem
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
E14 4PU
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Thinks Insight & Strategy

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...