Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Qualitative Research and User Experience

NS&I

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

19 Aug 2026 at 13:22

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NS&I procured qualitative research and user-experience services to understand users and support research-led improvements. The requirement covers market research services, including qualitative research and user experience work carried out when required rather than as a continuously scheduled service. It is a services procurement for activity delivered across the United Kingdom. The buying organisation is NS&I, the UK national savings institution. The arrangement was intended to provide access to research capability as needs arise, with the supplier responding to individual requirements under the agreement. Businesses relevant to this opportunity include market research agencies, qualitative research specialists, user-experience consultancies and customer insight providers able to work with a national public-sector organisation.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded. NS&I used a limited award procedure without publishing a prior call for competition, through the GCA Framework RM6126 Research and Insights. Four electronic bids were recorded. The requirement was evaluated on technical capability and quality at 80%, and cost at 20%. The selected supplier was THINKS INSIGHT AND STRATEGY (BRITAIN THINKS) LIMITED. The contract was signed on 17 August 2026 and is active, with a value of £1,000,000. The arrangement was described as an estimated four-year spend, not guaranteed, with an option structured as 2 + 1 + 1 years. The award relates to the qualitative research and user-experience requirement.

This award demonstrates demand from NS&I for externally delivered qualitative research, user-experience and market-insight work at national scale. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need strong technical capability in qualitative research and user experience, supported by evidence of delivering high-quality insight rather than relying on price alone. The evaluation weighting shows that capability and quality were substantially more important than cost. Suppliers should therefore be able to design and deliver research that produces clear, usable findings for a public-sector buyer, and explain their methods, quality controls and delivery approach. Experience of working through an established public-sector research framework would also be commercially relevant, since this requirement was sourced through one.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Qualitative Research and User Experience

Notice Description

Agreement to conduct Qualitative Research and user experience.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Agreement to conduct Qualitative Research and user experience. Additional information: Spend is estimated over 4 years and not guaranteed. This will be an "as and when required" payment mechanism.

Options: Award based on a 2 +1+1

Procurement Information

GCA Framework RM6126 Research and Insights was utilised for this competition.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e798
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078980-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NS&I
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
SE1 9HA
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THINKS INSIGHT AND STRATEGY (BRITAIN THINKS) LIMITED

Further Information

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...