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DHSC: Comms: Lot-1-Qualitative_Research_Marketing & Behaviour Change Programmes

Department of Health and Social Care

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Aug 2026 at 13:27

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) procured qualitative market and social research services for marketing campaigns and behaviour change programmes. The requirement covers research to inform programme development, creative development and message testing, and the evaluation of campaigns. This is a services contract focused on qualitative research rather than general advertising delivery or media buying. The work is associated with DHSC’s operations at Victoria Street, London, and delivery is identified in the United Kingdom. The procurement is suitable for both small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. The relevant service areas are market research and social research, including research design, participant insight, qualitative interviewing, message and concept testing, and evaluation work for public health or other behaviour change activity.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Define Research & Insight Limited, an SME. The award was made on 10 July 2026 for £3,600,000 including the stated contract value, covering the period from 8 July 2026 to 7 July 2028. The tender deadline was 5 June 2026 at 12:00. It was run as a tender using a procurement route described as ‘Other’. The requirement was presented as Lot 1, covering qualitative research for marketing and behaviour change programmes. The selected supplier is the only supplier identified in the award. The award reflects the full stated value for this lot; no separate lot values or additional awards are recorded. The process was evaluated through the tender arrangements for this qualitative research requirement.

This award demonstrates sustained DHSC demand for specialist qualitative research supporting public-facing marketing and behaviour change work. A credible future competitor would need to show expertise in turning audience insight into practical campaign and programme decisions, with the ability to develop and deliver qualitative research that tests creative concepts and messages before launch. Relevant capability would include research design, recruitment and engagement of appropriate participants, skilled moderation or interviewing, robust analysis and clear reporting for public-sector decision makers. Experience evaluating campaign effectiveness and translating findings into improvements would be important, as would an understanding of public health communications, sensitive audiences and behaviour change. The requirement is open to SMEs and VCSEs, indicating that organisations of varied size and structure can be credible where they can demonstrate sufficient specialist capacity, quality assurance and delivery resilience.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DHSC: Comms: Lot-1-Qualitative_Research_Marketing & Behaviour Change Programmes

Notice Description

This tender (Lot 1 - Qualitative Research for Marketing and Behaviour Change Programmes) is to appoint a Supplier with expertise in qualitative research to inform marketing campaign and behaviour change programme development, creative and message testing and evaluation of campaigns.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-e8238d10-8ef3-4c8c-a59e-58b6ed5151a0
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0112af47-769b-4bac-8e02-d036a41188e7
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

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

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£3,600,000 £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
8 Jul 2026 - 7 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

DEFINE RESEARCH & INSIGHT LIMITED

Further Information

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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