This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2024 at 12:43

Tender

20 Mar 2024 at 19:18

Planning

27 Feb 2024 at 16:17

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is embarking on a public procurement process to establish the Energy and Net Zero Behavioural Science Framework. This upcoming framework, replacing the current Energy and Climate Change Behavioural Science Framework, is aimed at commissioning small-scale behavioural science research relevant to energy and net zero initiatives. Managed by UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS), the procurement process follows the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and entails three lots: innovative behavioural thinking, policy development with general populace, and policy testing with complex samples. The framework, running from June 2024 to June 2027 (with possible extensions to June 2028 and 2029), has a value cap of £1,800,000 and utilizes an open procurement method with electronic submissions via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal. Key dates include the bid submission deadline on 1st May 2024 at 11:00 GMT.

This tender presents remarkable opportunities for businesses specialised in research and development, consultancy services, and particularly those with expertise in behavioural science. Companies capable of applying innovative models, conducting rigorous qualitative and quantitative research, and engaging with diverse and hard-to-reach groups will find this framework suitable. SMEs, large firms, and academic institutions with relevant capabilities stand to benefit significantly, potentially securing a role in shaping pivotal energy and net zero policies. By participating, businesses can expand their portfolio, contribute to public policy advancements, and gain valuable exposure and credibility in the field.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

1800000.00

Notice Description

Framework Overview UKSBS on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) (the Contracting Authority) wishes to establish a framework to procure the Energy and Net Zero Behavioural Science Framework. This Framework will replace the current Energy and Climate Change Behavioural Science Framework. The current Framework agreement acts as a mechanism for colleagues working across the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to commission small-scale behavioural science research in the energy and net zero space at pace. It has proved very useful thus far; since launching in August 2022, we have already commissioned 15 projects through it for a range of teams across DESNZ and we anticipate this high level of interest to continue. Due to popular demand, the current framework is set to shortly meet its maximum spend and so we are reprocuring to avoid a period without this mechanism in place. UK SBS is managing this procurement process in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as may be amended from time to time) (the "Regulations"). The award of this Framework will be based on 3 Lots: Lot 1 - Applying innovative behavioural thinking to a policy problem. Lot 2 - Policy development and testing with the general population. Lot 3 - Policy development and testing with complex samples. This Framework will be made accessible for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) (The Contracting Authority) and it is intended that 3 Suppliers will be appointed for each of the Lots detailed above. Potential bidders / consortia are invited to tender for one or more Lots on an individual basis. The Framework duration shall be for a maximum period of 5 years. The Framework is expected to run from June 2024 until 31st June 2027. However, the Contracting Authority will be implementing a break clause within the Framework, placed at the end of June 2028 and June 2029. The break clause will enable the Contracting Authority to ensure that Government priorities and budget availability are still aligned. Therefore, this Framework is being let on a 3, +1, +1 basis. The break clauses must be formally instructed by the Contracting Authority prior to moving into the next year of the Framework Agreement. The Framework will have a maximum value cap of PS1,800,000.00 across the full potential duration.

Lot Information

Lot 3 - Policy development and testing with complex samples.

Lot 3: Policy development and testing with complex samples. This lot includes the same two requirements as Lot 2: (a) understanding end users to inform policy development and (b) testing the impact of policy proposals, but specifically focuses on complex and hard to reach samples. For (a), the research will focus on policy areas in early stages of development which require further understanding and engaging with complex and hard to reach groups. This will require translating problems into behavioural terms, conducting primary and/or secondary research and applying behavioural analysis to the findings (e.g. barriers analysis, consumer journey mapping, solution generation). This could include qualitative research, quantitative research, or mixed methods. We expect suppliers to be able to sample from a range of groups, including SMEs, large businesses, installers, private landlords, and owner occupiers and tenants who are harder to reach (e.g. individuals with disabilities, digitally excluded). This would include being able to work with sampling frames provided by the Contracting Authority and the ability to contact match and address match. For (b), the research will focus on policy areas in later stages of development that might need to test policy proposals or behavioural interventions to identify their potential impact at scale. This could include trialling different communication and implementation techniques or experiments to test the impact of different policy ideas against each other. This will likely require experimental methods or qualitative / user testing if experimental methods are inappropriate or difficult given sampling requirements. Experimental research might involve randomised controlled trials and/or quasi-experimental methods, although they may have to be conducted online given the rapid nature of the framework. This could also involve providing expert behavioural review of policy proposals or providing expert advice such as developing methodologies to support testing of behavioural interventions. For quantitative research (both surveys and experiments), suppliers should be able to draw on random probability samples, which are the default requirement for projects. Alternatives such as adding questions to omnibus surveys and quota samples will occasionally be considered where appropriate for individual projects. We ask that bidders detail their sampling approaches in their application, including detailed information on panels and their risk of bias.

Renewal: The Framework is expected to run from June 2024 until 31st June 2027. The Contracting Authority will be implementing a break clause within the Framework, placed at the end of June 2028 and June 2029. The break clause will enable the Contracting Authority to ensure that Government priorities and budget availability are still aligned. Therefore, this Framework is being let on a 3, +1, +1 basis.

Lot 1 - Applying innovative behavioural thinking to a policy problem.

Lot 1: Applying innovative behavioural thinking to a policy problem. Energy & Net Zero policy often faces new difficult problems which require original perspectives. These might be knotty complex problems and cut across a range of policy areas which would benefit from joined up thinking and taking a wide perspective. It may also be useful to further understand the behavioural processes or unintended consequences which affect green choices (e.g. social identity, co-benefits). Projects like this would require thinking innovatively and challenging existing thinking or approaches. This might involve approaches such as: applying behavioural models, evidence and techniques in new ways; drawing from other fields to inform behavioural problems; or bringing new theoretical or methodological perspectives to the issue. Example projects could be drawing on historical or international trends to outline potential behavioural impacts of future events; anticipating any behavioural spillover effects of green choices; and understanding the impact of uncertainty relating to future Net Zero policies on green choices. We would generally not expect these projects to involve primary research. Instead, they may include workshops (generally online or in person) and/or reviewing the literature to provide a behavioural perspective. Ideally, they should bring together a range of experts (e.g. from academia) to work on these problems innovatively and progress our thinking.

Renewal: The Framework is expected to run from June 2024 until 31st June 2027. The Contracting Authority will be implementing a break clause within the Framework, placed at the end of June 2028 and June 2029. The break clause will enable the Contracting Authority to ensure that Government priorities and budget availability are still aligned. Therefore, this Framework is being let on a 3, +1, +1 basis.

Lot 2 - Policy development and testing with the general population.

Lot 2: Policy development and testing with the general population. This lot includes two requirements: (a) understanding end users to inform policy development and (b) testing the impact of policy proposals. For (a), research will focus on policy areas in early stages of development which require further understanding and engaging the general population. This will require translating problems into behavioural terms, conducting primary and/or secondary research and applying behavioural analysis to the findings (e.g. barriers analysis, consumer journey mapping, solution generation). This could include qualitative research, quantitative research, or mixed methods. This should be able to cover owner occupiers and tenants across a range of ages, environmental views and heating types. Note that projects may require additional small components with other samples too (e.g. stakeholder interviews). We would expect these projects to draw on the findings to present a range of behavioural solutions to the issues raised to help inform the design and delivery of policy. For (b), research will focus on policy areas in later stages of development that might need to test policy proposals or behavioural interventions to identify their potential impact at scale. This could include trialling different communication and implementation techniques or experiments to test the impact of different policy ideas against each other. This will likely require experimental methods or qualitative / user testing if experimental methods are inappropriate. Experimental research might involve randomised controlled trials and/or quasi-experimental methods, although they may have to be conducted online given the rapid nature of the framework. We may also ask the supplier to provide expert behavioural review of policy proposals or provide expert advice such as developing methodologies to support testing of behavioural interventions. For quantitative research (both surveys and experiments), suppliers should be able to draw on random probability samples, which are the default requirement for projects. Alternatives such as adding questions to omnibus surveys and quota samples will occasionally be considered where appropriate for individual projects. We ask that bidders detail their sampling approaches in their application, including detailed information on panels and their risk of bias.

Renewal: The Framework is expected to run from June 2024 until 31st June 2027. The Contracting Authority will be implementing a break clause within the Framework, placed at the end of June 2028 and June 2029. The break clause will enable the Contracting Authority to ensure that Government priorities and budget availability are still aligned. Therefore, this Framework is being let on a 3, +1, +1 basis.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-043d40
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025784-2024
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
1 May 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
18 Mar 2024Expired
Award Date
7 Aug 20242 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Additional Buyers

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

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
SW1A 2EG
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
4
Supplier Names

Behavioural Insights Ltd

Ipsos (Market Research) Ltd

National Centre for Social Research

Verian UK Ltd

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...