Research and development services and related consultancy services

Tender description

DFID has approved through the X Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme to fund new, operationally-relevant research on cross border conflict across the Middle East, Asia and Horn of Africa. This will examine the trans-national networks and narratives that connect them, including flows of people, weapons and resources and provide evidence based options for how international actors should innovate and respond. This will be delivered through Lot 1: X Border Conflict Dynamics/Response (12 772 500 GBP) and Lot 2: Violent and Peaceful Behaviour (5 772 500 GBP). DFID intends to award these contracts in circa November 2019 for an initial term of 5 years. DFID may extend the duration up to an additional 2,5 years This requirement is not subject to the Public Contracts Regulation 2015 and Directive 2014/24/EU by virtue of the applicability of Regulation 14. DFID is therefore publishing voluntarily for the purposes of publicity only. DFID will fund new, operationally-relevant research on cross border conflict across the Middle East, Asia and Horn of Africa. This will examine the trans-national networks and narratives that connect them. Lot 1 will focus on: — part A — X-Border conflict “Hubs” and X-border “spokes”. Research will examine networks operating between major conflicts including Afghanistan, through Iran to the Middle East, through the Levant, North Africa and the Gulf to East Africa. Research will include technology based methods (e.g. Satellite and aerial imagery, financial data, geo-tracking, communications and/or social media) complemented by quantitative and qualitative field work, — part B — Innovating Conflict Responses in an era of X-Border conflict. Research will collect and collate empirical evidence on international conflict response systems, including multi-lateral and bilateral efforts focused on peace support or stability and how they can innovate to meet the challenges of X-border conflict. Applying technology based tools to assessing the conflicts outlined in this research programme will enable researchers to identify cross-border patterns and track how conflict, migration and financial flows connect between conflict affected areas. The successful supplier will design and implement a programme of operationally relevant research which will be refined as the programme begins. Research will examine factors that contribute to violent and peaceful behaviour. Also exploring how individual and group behaviour is shaped by narratives, memory and beliefs. The supplier will design and implement a programme of operationally relevant research for the Lot. Research and method will be proposed in the bidding process and refined as the programme starts.