BBC publishes OJEU notice for market research framework contracts

The BBC has issued a notice to appear in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) this week announcing that it is re-tendering its market research framework contract.

This includes qualitative and quantitative research services which the BBC uses to gain insights into its audiences and measure the performance of its programmes.

The first stage of the procurement, The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, ends on the 20 December 2010. Agencies selected within that process will be invited to the final stage, Invitation to Tender (ITT), which, for successful agencies, will result in an award of a contract.

The tender process adheres to EU procurement rules.

BBC Director of Audiences, James Holden, says: “We are looking for the ’best of the best’ from the industry to join our roster. We want to benefit from the most innovative and effective techniques out there and partner with those agencies who display very high professional standards, in line with the BBC’s own commitment to quality. We are looking to work with agencies that will help us get more insight into our audiences but will also work with us to achieve value for money for Licence Fee payers.”

The successful agencies will be appointed to the market research services providers’ roster for a term of two years commencing at the beginning of Q3, 2011 and ending in 2013. The Framework Agreement may be extended by up to 24 months. The BBC’s intention is to purchase the majority of its services under the Framework Agreement from the provider appointed. Thus, the agencies chosen for the roster will work on a variety of strategic projects and provide insights in response to ad-hoc research briefs relating to all media platforms and audience groups

The BBC is aiming to reduce the overall number of agencies on its roster in order to create a more cost efficient way of commissioning research.

The contract pursuers will have an opportunity to seek clarification on any matters relating to the PQQ stage, during a Bidders’ Day briefing held on the 29 November at the BBC’s Media Centre, London. The Bidders’ Day will provide an insight into the BBC’s requirements and include a Q&A session.

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1. The OJEU notice is available on www.ojec.com and www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/.

2. The selection process is built around two stages: a backwards looking Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) allowing agencies to elaborate on their experience and capabilities, and an Invitation to Tender (ITT), which is a forward-looking exercise asking the agencies to reply to a brief and pitch their ideas to representatives of the BBC’s research teams. The PQQ is used to shortlist potential providers while the ITT allows for evaluation of tenders submitted by the shortlist of potential providers.