BBC to Re-tender for Research Roster

The BBC has announced it will re-tender its market research framework contract, compiling a roster of providers for use over a term of two years beginning with the third quarter of 2011.

A notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), whose procurement rules the tender will follow, says the Corporation 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 re-tender includes qual and quant research services used for the measurement of audiences and other elements of programme performance. The first stage of the process will be a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, which allows agencies to elaborate on their experience and capabilities and ends on 20th December. Selected agencies from this will be invited to a second stage, the Invitation to Tender (ITT), in which agencies will reply to a brief and pitch their ideas to representatives of the BBC's research teams: those successful in this will be awarded a contract.

BBC Director of Audiences James Holden says the Corporation wants to 'benefit from the most innovative and effective techniques out there' and adds: 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 Framework Agreement may be extended by up to 24 months and will account for the 'majority' of purchases made, the BBC says. Potential bidders can ask questions about the process during a Bidders' Day briefing held on the 29 November at the BBC's Media Centre in London.

Web sites: www.ojec.com , www.bbc.co.uk/supplying and www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.