--- title: "Customer Research Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058236" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058236" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058236.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058236.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED" published: "2026-08-04" --- # Customer Research Services Framework Buyer: SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058236 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058236) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058236.json) ## Summary Southern Water Services Limited, a private utility company based in Worthing, UK, has successfully completed the procurement process for its "Customer Research Services Framework". The contract, valued at £5.4 million, has been awarded to several suppliers, including RED C RESEARCH LTD and THINKS INSIGHT AND STRATEGY (BRITAIN THINKS) LIMITED, among others. The framework agreement, part of the market research services industry, is intended to support Southern Water's objectives through qualitative and quantitative research activities. The procurement process followed an open method under a competitive flexible procedure, commencing with planning and evolving through tendering to the award phase by 3rd August 2026. The framework will commence on 24th August 2026 and can extend up to 23rd August 2031, with renewal options after August 2030. This procurement provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in market research services, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that offer expertise in areas like survey design, fieldwork, analysis, and delivering insights. Suppliers within the framework can expect a stable period of collaboration with Southern Water, contributing to enhanced customer strategies through innovative research solutions. This opportunity supports growth for firms adept at providing comprehensive research services and competing in additional work as per the Procurement Act ’23 process, when needed. The open nature of the procurement method promotes a wide competition field, suitable for businesses looking to expand their footprint in the utilities sector. ## Notice SWS intends to establish a framework panel whom have the expertise to support the company's objectives. The objective of this tender is to select suppliers to provide customer research services across Southern Water's requirements. In responding to this tender, you are confirming you are able to undertake the full suite of services, as set out in Tender associated schedules and documents. SWS will retain the right to compete work outside the pool of pre-qualified service providers (i.e. Procurement Act '23 process) where appropriate (e.g. where the pre-qualified service providers do not have the capability to deliver the services required by SWS or the price secured within the pool is not judged by SWS to be market competitive). ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: up to 1 year (12 months) extension ### Planning Information Please note this is not a call for competition. Southern Water (SW) is seeking information from the market and invites interested suppliers to complete a Request for Information as part of this engagement on our Sourcing platform: https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/ Please submit your responses to this Request for Information by 15th August 2025 12 pm (midday)UK time. As part of this process, further market engagement will follow online via Microsoft Teams on 21st August 2025. If you would like to attend, please confirm your interest and provide the names and email addresses of participants when submitting your RFI response. All answers and queries related to this Request for Information should be directed to SWS via the e-sourcing portal by following the link provided. https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/ Note: If you are already registered on Southern Water's sourcing portal please go straight to Step 2 below If you are unregistered please follow the instructions below to register 1. Register your company on the Jaggaer sourcing portal (this is required only once) To register or log in please go to - https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html Select the "Login or register to participate" link above and click the "Register Now" link on the home page Accept the terms and conditions and click "Next" Enter your correct business and user details Note the username you chose and click "Save" when complete You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure) 2. Respond to the PQQ/ITT Login to the portal with your username/password Click the PQQs open to all suppliers or ITTs open to all suppliers' link. Click on the relevant PQQ/ITT ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073549-2026 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Large, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | 5 May 2026 | | Future notice date | 15 Aug 2025 | | Award date | 2 Aug 2026 | | Contract period | 23 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £4,500,000 | | Lots value | £4,500,000 | | Awards value | £4,500,000 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED | | Locality | WORTHING | | Post town | Brighton | | Postcode | BN13 3NX | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex | | ITL 3 | TLJ27 West Sussex (South West) | | Local authority | Worthing | | Electoral ward | Northbrook | | Westminster constituency | Worthing West | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 8 | | Supplier names | ACCENT MARKETING AND RESEARCH; DJS RESEARCH; EXPLAIN MARKET RESEARCH; I C S CONSULTING; IMPACT RESEARCH; RED C RESEARCH; THINKS INSIGHT AND STRATEGY (BRITAIN THINKS; TURQUOISE THINKING | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79310000 - Market research services ## Release History - 4 Aug 2026 at 10:03 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073549-2026 - 2 Apr 2026 at 13:06 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030925-2026 - 6 Aug 2025 at 09:42 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046413-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073549-2026 4th August 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030925-2026 2nd April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046413-2025 6th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.southernwater.co.uk - https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk - https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/ - https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058236. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058236.json.