---
title: "2026-026 Cost Allocation and Recovery Review Deliberative Research"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Ofgem"
published: "2026-09-23"
---

# 2026-026 Cost Allocation and Recovery Review Deliberative Research

Buyer: Ofgem  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 28 Aug 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £193,512 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £193,512 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Ofgem |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | East London |
| Postcode | E14 4PU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI42 Tower Hamlets |
| Local authority | Tower Hamlets |
| Electoral ward | Canary Wharf |
| Westminster constituency | Poplar and Limehouse |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Thinks Insight & Strategy |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 79310000 - Market research services

## Release History

- 23 Sep 2026 at 17:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6
  23rd September 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP171887
  NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the myTenders Web Site at the link provided.

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ofgem.gov.uk

## Provenance

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