Economic Research and Engagement Framework

We undertake economic research and engagement to inform our business plan that we submit to Ofwat at each price review.

United Kingdom-Durham: Market and economic research; polling and statistics

2016/S 170-306878

Contract notice – utilities

Services

Directive 2004/17/EC

Section I: Contracting entity

I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)

Northumbrian Water Limited
Boldon House, Wheatlands Way, Pity Me
Contact point(s): Northumbrian Water Ltd
For the attention of: Laura McMain
DH1 5FA Durham
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1913016102
E-mail: laura.mcmain@nwl.co.uk

Internet address(es):

General address of the contracting entity: www.nwl.co.uk

Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)

Specifications and additional documents (including documents for a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)

Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)

I.2)Main activity

Water

I.3)Contract award on behalf of other contracting entities

The contracting entity is purchasing on behalf of other contracting entities: no

Section II: Object of the contract

II.1)Description

II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting entity:

NW1713 Economic Research and Engagement.

II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance

Services
Service category No 10: Market research and public opinion polling services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: This work could be carried out under any of the Northumbrian water and Essex and Suffolk Water operating areas — The North East of England, Essex and Suffolk.
NUTS code UKC,UKH3,UKH14

II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)

The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement

II.1.4)Information on framework agreement

Framework agreement with several operators
maximum number of participants to the framework agreement envisaged: 10

Duration of the framework agreement

Duration in years: 6

Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement

Estimated value excluding VAT
Range: between 7 000 000 and 8 000 000 GBP

II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s):

NWG are looking for expressions of interest to join our framework for economic research and engagement.
Background.
We undertake economic research and engagement to inform our business plan that we submit to Ofwat at each price review. We are currently working towards the price review that will take place in 2019 (PR19) and require framework partners to provide research and consultancy services. We will undertake both qualitative and quantitative research to understand our customers’ priorities and the value they place on our services. Alongside this, we will require other professional services to consult on the use of the information we obtain from research to build suitable models from which we can devise cost effective plans.
It is proposed that the external support research framework will be a minimum of three years to ensure full coverage of the PR19 submission process. There will be a possible three year extension to lead up to the next periodic review in 2024 (PR24).
We require partners, with excellent professional experience, who can demonstrate a sound understanding of:
— A broad range of economic research methodologies
— An in-depth understanding of behavioural economics
— The current regulatory landscape including Ofwat guidance
— Cost benefit modelling
— Our business and the industry in which we operate
— Innovative practice towards economic research and associated customer engagement
Spend based on historical work is in the region of 700 000 GBP — 800 000 GBP for the 6 year framework although this may not be spread evenly over the period. There is no guaranteed level of work under this framework agreement.
Please can you confirm whether you are interested in tendering for these requirements. The tender process will be carried out via our online tender portal called Ariba. Please confirm the details below.
Name of person to register on Ariba:
Contact Number:
Email Address:
Confirmation that you can meet our requirements:
Once we have received the expressions of interest we will provide more detail in terms of timescales for this opportunity and the number of suppliers we are looking to appoint onto the framework.

II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79300000

II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes

II.1.8)Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: no

II.1.9)Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no

II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract

II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:

NWG are looking for expressions of interest to join our framework for economic research and engagement.
Background
We undertake economic research and engagement to inform our business plan that we submit to Ofwat at each price review. We are currently working towards the price review that will take place in 2019 (PR19) and require framework partners to provide research and consultancy services. We will undertake both qualitative and quantitative research to understand our customers’ priorities and the value they place on our services. Alongside this, we will require other professional services to consult on the use of the information we obtain from research to build suitable models from which we can devise cost effective plans.
It is proposed that the external support research framework will be a minimum of three years to ensure full coverage of the PR19 submission process. There will be a possible three year extension to lead up to the next periodic review in 2024 (PR24).
We require partners, with excellent professional experience, who can demonstrate a sound understanding of:
— A broad range of economic research methodologies
— An in-depth understanding of behavioural economics
— The current regulatory landscape including Ofwat guidance
— Cost benefit modelling
— Our business and the industry in which we operate
— Innovative practice towards economic research and associated customer engagement
Spend based on historical work is in the region of 700 000 GBP — 800 000 GBP for the 6 year framework although this may not be spread evenly over the period. There is no guaranteed level of work under this framework agreement.
Please can you confirm whether you are interested in tendering for these requirements. The tender process will be carried out via our online tender portal called Ariba. Please confirm the details below.
Name of person to register on Ariba:
Contact Number:
Email Address:
Confirmation that you can meet our requirements:
Once we have received the expressions of interest we will provide more detail in terms of timescales for this opportunity and the number of suppliers we are looking to appoint onto the framework.
Estimated value excluding VAT
Range: between 700 000 and 800 000 GBP

II.2.2)Information about options

Options: yes
Description of these options: It is proposed that the external support research framework will be a minimum of 3 years to ensure full coverage of the PR19 submission process. There will be a possible 3-year extension to lead up to the next periodic review in 2024 (PR24).

II.2.3)Information about renewals

This contract is subject to renewal: no

II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion

Duration in months: 36 (from the award of the contract)

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)Conditions relating to the contract

III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:

This will be advised if invited to tender.

III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:

This will be advised if invited to tender.

III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:

Joint and several liability agreement under English Law with designated lead entity.

III.1.4)Other particular conditions:

The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: no

III.2)Conditions for participation

III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: These will be set out in the Prequalification documentation.

III.2.2)Economic and financial ability

Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: These will be set out in the Prequalification documentation.

III.2.3)Technical capacity

Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: These will be set out in the Prequalification documentation.

III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts

III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts

III.3.1)Information about a particular profession

III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)Type of procedure

IV.1.1)Type of procedure

Negotiated
Some candidates have already been selected (if appropriate under certain types of negotiated procedures): no

IV.2)Award criteria

IV.2.1)Award criteria

The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated in the specifications or in the invitation to tender or to negotiate

IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction

An electronic auction will be used: no

IV.3)Administrative information

IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting entity:

NW1713

IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract

IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents(except for a DPS)

Payable documents: no

IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

14.9.2016 – 16:00

IV.3.5)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up

English.

IV.3.6)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

IV.3.7)Conditions for opening of tenders

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: no

VI.2)Information about European Union funds

The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

VI.3)Additional information:

Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conducted electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e sourcing spend management portal hosted by Ariba. Expression of interest must be sent to the email address laura.mcmain@nwl.co.ukbefore the deadline date. Once the notice has closed applicants will be given access to the ariba portal containing the pre qualification questionnaire documents for completion.

When sending your expression on interest, applicants must provide the following information.
1) Full name of the company;
2) Main contact details of the person to be given access to the portal — name, job title, email address, telephone number.

VI.4)Procedures for appeal

VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures

VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals

VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained

VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:

30.8.2016

Portfolio Management Office West Yorkshire

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