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Summary

OCID:
Published by:: Office for National Statistics
Authority ID:: AA0356
Publication date:: 29 April 2026
Deadline date:: -
Notice type:: Prior Information Notice
Has documents:: No
Has SPD:: No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:: N/A

Abstract

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is planning a forthcoming procurement for Methodological and Research Services to support the delivery and development of the UK's economic, social and population statistics.

Full notice text

Prior information notice

This notice is for prior information only

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

Office for National Statistics

Government Buildings, Cardiff Road

Newport

NP108XG

E-mail: commercialteam@ons.gov.uk

NUTS: UKL21

Internet address(es)

Main address: www.ons.gov.uk

I.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal agency/office

I.5) Main activity

General public services

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

Methodological and Research Services

Reference number: CS-27-001

II.1.2) Main CPV code

73110000

II.1.3) Type of contract

Services

II.1.4) Short description

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

ONS is the UK's largest independent producer of official statistics and the National Statistical Institute for the UK. It operates as the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non‑Ministerial Department established under the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

ONS collects and publishes statistics relating to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels, and plays a leading role in UK and international statistical best practice.

Scope of Services (Indicative)

The future specification is expected to include a range of methodological, statistical and research services to support official statistics including economic, social and population statistics. This may include, but is not limited to, expertise in the following areas:

Statistical and Methodological Expertise

*Sample survey design and weighting/estimation

*Statistical modelling using survey and non‑survey data, including:

-Non-response propensity modelling

-Small Area Estimation

-Bayesian modelling

-Machine learning techniques

-Spatial and temporal modelling

*Editing and imputation methods

*Index number methods for prices and inflation measures

*Time series models and seasonal adjustment

*Statistical disclosure control

*Measurement of uncertainty including Variance Estimation

*Multisource statistical design, including statistical record linkage and measurement of error

*Quality measurement for non‑survey sources, multisource statistics and linked data

*Statistical methods that support Census collection

Applied and Subject‑Matter Methods

*Qualitative research methods, data collection and analysis

*Demographic methods

*Economic methods including National Accounts

*Operational research in survey design and delivery

*Artificial intelligence and its application within official statistics

The final scope will be confirmed as part of the formal procurement documentation.

II.2.14) Additional information

Anticipated Timescales (Indicative)

The current indicative timeline is as follows:

Notice published: 29/06/2026

Tender deadline: 29/07/2026

Contract award: 03/09/2026

Contract start: 01/10/2026

These dates are indicative and will be confirmed in due course.

Procurement Route

The decision on the use of Lots has not been finalised at this stage and full information will be made avaiable in the tender documentation.

ONS is currently exploring the most appropriate sourcing route and will provide further information on next steps when available.

One route under consideration is the Research and Insights Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) - RM6126. Suppliers who are not already registered and who may be interested in this opportunity are encouraged to review the DPS and consider applying via the Crown Commercial Service / Government Commercial Agency website:

https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6126

Next Steps

This notice is issued for market awareness purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to commence a procurement. ONS welcomes interest from suppliers with relevant expertise and encourages organisations to monitor future communications for further updates.

II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:

29/06/2026

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

28/04/2026

Coding

Commodity categories

ID	Title	Parent category
73110000	Research services	Research and experimental development services

Delivery locations

ID	Description
100	UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID	Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:: commercialteam@ons.gov.uk
Admin contact:: N/a
Technical contact:: N/a
Other contact:: N/a

Further information

Date	Details
No further information has been uploaded.