CEFAS25-126 RFQ for the Management & Delivery of Socio-Cultural Data Collection

Tender description

Cefas requires a Supplier to manage and deliver the next phase of socio-cultural data collection started under the mNCEA Programme, using the survey instrument provided by Cefas. The Supplier will manage and deliver the next phase of socio-cultural data collection started under the mNCEA Programme, using the survey instrument provided by Cefas (amended as appropriate for the new study area). This phase will extend the place-based mapping of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) to the West of England, building on previous work conducted in East England. The Supplier will be responsible for managing the data collection process, including: • Identifying and managing a suitable panel provider. • Overseeing the data collection process from the survey, from the soft launch phase through to full deployment and data collection. The survey will be hosted on Qualtrics, an online survey platform widely used for designing, distributing, and analysing questionnaires. Cefas holds a licence for Qualtrics through Defra, and the platform’s collaboration feature will allow us to grant the supplier access to the project. • Ensuring quality assurance of the data collected, including regular communication with Cefas to remain informed of decisions regarding data exclusion criteria and other quality control activities. • Deliverables: 1. Management of data collection a. To be delivered by [12/01/2026]. Identify and manage the relationship with a suitable panel provider and ensure compliance with data protection and ethical standards b. Once access to the project on Qualtrics is granted, the Supplier will monitor data quality in real time from the soft launch of the survey through the entire data collection process, promptly engage with the panel provider, and address any platform-specific issues as they arise. c. To be delivered by [09/02/2026]. Collect a minimum of 1,000 responses from the general public across West England coastal regions. The sample must demonstrate demographic and geographic representativeness, aligned with the population sample frame provided by Cefas. 2. Quality Assurance a. To be delivered by [27/02/2026] Implement a robust quality assurance (QA) process throughout the data collection phase, including: • Validation of responses. • Checks for completeness, consistency, and demographic representativeness. Maintain regular communication with Cefas project lead, including: • Weekly check-ins during the active data collection period. • Immediate notification of any issues affecting data quality or delivery timelines. • Collaborative decision-making regarding criteria for data exclusions and other QA activities. Provide a full, cleaned and password- protected Excel raw data set and QA summary report , detailing: • The QA procedures applied. • The rationale for any data exclusions. • A log of decisions made jointly with Cefas during the process. Location for services to be undertaken: Remote (all meetings and communications to take place online) Contract extension options: 2 x further periods of 12 months each. Extensions are dependent on funding availability for the Cefas project and are not guaranteed. The detailed scope of work for the extension periods will be agreed on an annual basis as required but will be broadly in line with the above Technical Specification. The Contract will be awarded for a total potential maximum value of £90,000, with estimated value for the initial Contract period £30,000 and costs for the extension period to be agreed on an annual basis. Download the Bidder Pack at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome and search for CEFAS25-126 under opportunities.