PS22407 - Research Collaboration Network Framework

Tender description

UK Shared Business Services (UK SBS), on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) wishes to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Research Collaboration Network Services. The Framework has a maximum value of £4,000,000.00 excluding VAT and the Framework term is four years. The Framework will run on a 1+1+1+1-year basis. This means the effectiveness of the Framework will be reviewed, and future budget availability considered, towards the end of each financial year (31 March). This OPSS Research Collaboration Network is being commissioned to support the delivery of the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) Strategic Research Programme (SRP). OPSS was established by BEIS in January 2018 in order to enhance protections for consumers and drive forward increased productivity, growth and business confidence. The OPSS SRP provides high quality, strategic, science-based research to strengthen the evidence base for OPSS policy development, delivery and enforcement. Lot 1: Risk Risk – risk tolerance, risk communications and management, risk assessment and prioritisation The application of risk The application of risk is a theme bringing together research into how risk can be applied in OPSS’ regulatory system. The main aims of this work include: I. Define, standardise and measure the risk of products to support policy and enforcement strategies. II. Review regulatory systems to understand when and where risk measurements should be incorporated. III. Incorporate risk prioritisation and management methodologies to prioritise regulatory actions. IV. Provide evidence to support communication campaigns. Lot Lot 2: Chemicals and Materials Chemical and Materials – Identification techniques, Characterisation techniques, exposure studies and toxicological limits. The chemicals and materials in products theme brings together all research concerned with chemicals and materials within consumer products. It includes a number of policy and enforcement areas ranging from coatings and content of specific chemicals within materials, to developing methods to efficiently identify and measure chemicals for enforcement purposes. The aims of this research area include: I. Review chemicals and materials and their extent of their usage in products II. Develop characterisation techniques and measurement methodologies for these chemicals to support the identification and quantification of chemicals III. Understand exposure and chemical limits for various chemicals to feed back into regulations IV. Development of chemical risk assessments Lot 3: Analytical Analytical - Impact analysis, market analysis and consumer/business behaviours and attitudes. Lot 4: Technology Hardware and Software Technology, hardware and software – Literature reviews, SWOT analysis and research testing