Scope
Reference
CS-26-180
Description
ONS are to looking explore delivery model options for the collection of local price data across the UK. We are keen to understand what data collection and technology solutions are available. We would like to speak to suppliers to discuss their ideas for delivery models, as well as the benefits and limitations of these approaches.
About the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
ONS is the UK's largest independent producer of official statistics and is the National Statistical Institute for the UK. Formally, it is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-Ministerial Department established by the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. It is responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population, and society at national, regional, and local levels. ONS plays a leading role in national and international good practice in the production of official statistics.
Introduction
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is initiating preliminary market engagement ahead of the future procurement of Local Price Collection service delivery. The local collection is vital to produce CPI, CPIH and RPI statistics. These consumer price inflation statistics are important indicators of how the UK economy is performing. They are used in many ways by individuals, government, businesses, and academics. Inflation statistics impact on everyone, as they influence interest rates, tax allowances, benefits, pensions, savings rates, maintenance contracts, and many other payments.
Collection takes place across 141 UK locations through around 300 field collectors every month under the Local Price Collection's current operating model. The delivery of this service is currently outsourced to a commercial provider.
ONS is seeking to establish a contract with an organisation that can provide some or all the following services to ensure continuity of service and explore opportunities for innovation, improved data quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and resilience.
1. Delivery of data collection service involving:
-Recruitment, training, and management of a geographically dispersed workforce.
-Oversight of operations involving hundreds of collectors undertaking one week of collection per month.
-Collection of item prices in outlets across specific locations
-Maintaining adherence to collection requirements
2. Data handling, management, and security involving:
-Ensuring awareness of security requirements and working alongside ONS security team to gain approval that meets expected standards of data and security governance
-Secure transfer of collected data through encrypted channels and controlled devices which adhere to legal and ONS requirements
-Integrate with ONS' existing cloud‑based pipelines, validation processes, and monthly schedules
3.Quality Assurance of data and ensuring service continuity involving
-Compliance with key performance indicators to ensure complete and accurate data is delivered
-Commitment to quality indicators aligned with The Government Data Quality Framework
-Timely delivery of data to meet monthly processing schedules
-Establishing and maintaining robust quality controls
-Support ONS in service delivery risk management, business continuity, and delivery contingency planning
-Meet parallel run requirements during transition period
4.Innovation and continuous improvement throughout the lifetime of the contract involving
-Reviewing and enhancing processes to identify improvements including to data quality and operational efficiency
-Remaining aware of innovative technologies and software, and collection methods to explore applications to benefit service delivery
-Proactively produce plans and timelines to carry trials for future enhancements for example supporting transformation work.
ONS have questions related to the above requirements that we would like to ask prospective suppliers. This will help inform tender requirements. Initially we would be interested to hear thoughts on the questions below.
-ONS are to looking explore delivery model options for the collection of local price data across the UK. What delivery model would you recommend for a national field collection operation?
-How would you support this recommended delivery model?
-How would you ensure innovation and continuous improvement?
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2028 to 31 August 2035
- 7 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72300000 - Data services
- 79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 March 2026
Engagement process description
To register your interest, please email CommercialTeam@ons.gov.uk. In the email subject please quote CS-26-180 C Jones and D Martin
Within your email, please give a brief synopsis of what your organisation can offer in terms of the requirements detailed above.
We will be scheduling supplier sessions to discuss the requirements and potential solutions in more detail. These sessions maybe on a 1:1 basis or we may group suppliers together, this will depend on the level of interest in the engagement.
We also welcome written answers to our discussion points and a high-level overview of your input to the discussion topics, where time does not allow you to attend a session. Any written submission should be no more than 5 pages long and be submitted via email to with the reference CS-26-180 C Jones.
Additional Information
This Exercise is NOT a pre-qualification or selection exercise and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process that may apply to any future potential procurement. It is intended to act as an awareness and information gathering exercise offering an opportunity for suppliers to advise us on the extent to which they potentially can provide some or all the services that ONS may require, in order to help ONS with its future intentions.
Contracting authority
Office for National Statistics
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMZG-4913-JQXG
Government Buildings, Cardiff Road
Newport
NP10 8XG
United Kingdom
Email: CommercialTeam@ons.gov.uk
Region: UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
Organisation type: Public authority - central government