Consumer Engagement

Tender description

NIE Networks is a monopoly industry. Its licence to operate is provided by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and it is regulated by the Utility Regulator Northern Ireland. It develops and delivers agreed work plans which determine its investments and revenues over the period. It is currently delivering its 2017-2024 plan. A joint advisory panel, made up of representatives of the Utility Regulator, Department for the Economy and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland and NIE Networks, was established in 2014 to verify the approach and to evaluate consumer and stakeholder feedback in the development of its 2017-2024 plans. This panel, known as the Consumer Engagement Advisory Panel (CEAP), will continue to fulfil this role up to 2024. Consumer and stakeholder engagement formed a key part of the development of its 2017-2024 plans and has been built into the company’s strategy going forward as a means to assess the ongoing satisfaction of customers with the approach and deliverables of the company. In order to support NIE Networks’ consumer and stakeholder engagement strategy, the company is seeking to procure the following services: • Advice on the best and most up to date consumer engagement methodologies including approaches to evaluate consumer priorities and willingness to pay techniques; • Establishment of representative focus groups across Northern Ireland including specialised groups if required; • Delivery of statistically representative face to face, telephone or online surveys within fixed time periods; • Delivery of annual sessions with stakeholder and representative organisations to understand and balance their key priorities; • Analysis of data sets, insightful recommendations and actionable data which the company can use as a basis for decision making. • Other miscellaneous activities as required