Competition and Markets Authority: Tender for a Framework Agreement for the provision of Economic and Social Research Services to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

UK-London: Economic research services.

Section I: Contracting Authority
   I.1)Name, Addresses and Contact Point(s):
      Competition and Markets Authority
      Victoria House, Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4AD, United Kingdom
      Tel. +44 2037386996, Email: Colin.Oakley@cma.gsi.gov.uk, URL: www.gov.uk/cma
      Contact: Colin.Oakley@cma.gsi.gov.uk/luciana.marenna@cma.gsi.gov.uk, Attn: Colin Oakley/Luciana Marenna
      Electronic Access URL: https://www.delta-esourcing.com
      Electronic Submission URL: https://www.delta-esourcing.com

      Further information can be obtained at: As Above       
      Specifications and additional documents: As Above       
      Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: As Above       
   
   I.2)Type of the contracting authority:
      Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions

   I.3) Main activity:
      General Public Services

   I.4) Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities:
      The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: No

Section II: Object Of The Contract: SERVICES
   II.1)Description
      II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority: Tender for a Framework Agreement for the provision of Economic and Social Research Services to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
      II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance: SERVICES         
         Service Category: 11

         Region Codes: UKI - LONDON         
      II.1.3) Information about a public contract, a framework or a dynamic purchasing system: The notice involves the setting up of a framework agreement                                                        

      II.1.4)Information on framework agreement:      
            Framework agreement with several operators

         Duration of the framework agreement:
            Duration in year(s): 4             
         Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement:
                                    
            Range between: 2,000,000 and 4,000,000
            Currency: GBP
                  
      II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase:
      Economic research services. Economic impact assessment. Social research services. Business and management consultancy services. Financial consultancy services. Business analysis consultancy services. Project management consultancy services. Market research services. Research consultancy services. The Authority is intends to award a Framework Agreement. A framework is required for the provision of specialist consultancy advice relating to economic and social research. The framework has been divided into the following broad lots:

Lot 1 - Social & Economic Research & Analysis Related to Competition & Consumer Policy
Lot 2 - Combining Social & Economic Research & Analysis with Market Research in Relation to Competition & Consumer Policy & Regulation
Lot 3 - Behavioural Economics & Psychological Research & Training
Lot 4 – Statistical & Econometric Service & Analysis Related to Competition & Consumer Policy & Enforcement & Regulation
Lot 5 – Industry & Market Specific Research &Technical Analysis
Lot 6 – Provision of Specialist Advice relating to Research, Evaluation & the Economics of Industrial Organisations
Lot 7 – Specialist Academic Advice Relating to Competition & Regulatory Economics
Lot 8 – Specialist Advice Relating to Competition & Regulatory Finance & Accounting

Further details are provided in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) which can be downloaded from https://www.delta-esourcing.com/

Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit https://www.delta-esourcing.com/. Suppliers should note that they will be required to register on the Delta -esourcing portal and are therefore advised to allow sufficient time for this and for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute issues.
         
      II.1.6)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
         
         79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
         
         79315000 - Social research services.
         
         79410000 - Business and management consultancy services.
         
         66171000 - Financial consultancy services.
         
         72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services.
         
         72224000 - Project management consultancy services.
         
         79310000 - Market research services.
         
         73210000 - Research consultancy services.
         

      II.1.7) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA):
         The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): Yes       
      II.1.8)Lots:
         This contract is divided into lots: Yes          
         If yes, tenders should be submitted for: One or more lots

      II.1.9)Information about variants:
         Variants will be accepted: Yes    
   
   II.2)Quantity Or Scope Of The Contract
      II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
      The framework agreement will be used by the Authority for the services of Economic and Social Research Services. Details of the required advice is specified within the description for Lots 1-8. Suppliers may bid for one, some or all lots. Further information on scope is provided at Appendix B of the ITT document.                  
         Estimated value excluding VAT:
         Range between: 2,000,000 and 4,000,000
         Currency: GBP
               
      
      II.2.2)Options: No          
         II.2.3)Information about renewals:
            This contract is subject to renewal: Not Provided         
   II.3)Duration Of The Contract Or Time-Limit For Completion      
      Not Provided
   Information About Lots
            
      Lot No: 1
      Title: Lot 1: Social and Economic Research and Analysis Related to Competition and Consumer Policy and Regulation

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover all aspects of social and economic research related to competition and consumer policy and regulation. Framework Providers in this lot will provide economic research and analysis that takes the CMA beyond the existing academic literature and enables the CMA to enhance its understanding, application and evaluation of competition and consumer policy and enforcement and regulation.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:

•Expertise and knowledge base to assist the CMA in remaining at the ‘cutting edge’ of underlying economic theories, technical analysis and remedy design when new issues and challenges are identified in different areas of competition and consumer policy and enforcement and regulation.
•Ability to conduct economic research in the areas of competition and consumer policy and regulation that is of practical use and accessible by non-specialists.

Good understanding of the UK and European competition and/or consumer law framework and case law may also be required.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79315000 - Social research services.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 2
      Title: Lot 2: Combining Social and Economic Research and Analysis with

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover areas where economic research and analysis related to competition and consumer policy and regulation is combined with market research and analysis.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:
•Expertise and knowledge base to assist the CMA in remaining at the ‘cutting edge’ of underlying economic theories, technical analysis and remedy design when new issues and challenges are identified in different areas of competition and consumer policy and enforcement and regulation.
•Ability to conduct economic research in the areas of competition and consumer policy that is of practical use and accessible by non-specialists.
•Ability to combine economic research and analysis with market research and analysis (either as the provider or the commissioner of market research).

Good understanding of the UK and European competition and/or consumer law framework and case law may also be required.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
                  79310000 - Market research services.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 3
      Title: Lot 3: Behavioural Economics and Psychological Research

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover all research that focusses on understanding the way in which businesses and consumers use information and make decisions and its implications for competition and consumer policy.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:
•Specialist knowledge of behavioural economics and psychological research and ability to provide advice and support on emerging academic theory in these areas.
•Knowledge base to assist the CMA in understanding how businesses and consumers behave and make decisions, particularly in the context of developing competition and consumer enforcement strategy and policy.

•Knowledge and experience of designing and conducting experimental research.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 4
      Title: Lot 4: Statistical and Econometric Service and Analysis Related to Competition and Consumer Policy and Enforcement and Regulation

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover the provision of statistical and econometric service and analysis to support the CMA in its work related to consumer and competition policy and enforcement and regulation. Suppliers will be asked either to provide statistical and econometric analysis or to review and improve the statistical or econometric analysis of others.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:

•Expertise in statistical and econometric techniques and ability to provide statistical and econometric analysis to support the economic analysis of the CMA in various cases and projects.

•Knowledge and experience of micro-econometric modelling of demand for the purposes of market definition e.g. in Competition Act cases.

•Knowledge and experience of conjoint analysis, sampling of obscure populations and synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of data obtained from a number of independent survey exercises.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
                  79330000 - Statistical services.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 5
      Title: ot 5: Industry and Market-Specific Research and Technical Analysis

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover all aspects of industrial and market-specific research and technical analysis that supports the CMA in achieving a better understanding of the dynamics of a specific market and its participants in the context of merger control, market studies, market investigations and competition and consumer enforcement. The lot may include but is not restricted to requirements for:

•Assessment of key indicators such as profitability and price levels and trends at a line-of- business, individual firm or market level and the level and transparency of information available.
•Analysis of the factual background to the market, its structure, and its participants.
•Assessment of market definition.
•Analysis of the nature and effect of any entry barriers.
•Analysis of the nature of competition.
•Assessment of how other factors (e.g. regulations) affect the operation of the market.
•Conducting international comparisons.
•Assessment of identifiable anti-competitive practice or conduct.
•Examination of complaints, enforcement and contractual issues.
•General project management support in conducting cases.
•Producing background briefings.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:
•Experience of providing the types of analysis and support listed above in the context of consumer and competition cases, mergers, market studies and market investigations. This experience may cover work carried out for competition authorities, regulators and private sector clients.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
                  79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 6
      Title: Lot 6: Provision of Specialist Advice Relating to Research, Evaluation and the Economics of Industrial Organisations

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover areas where the CMA needs specialist advice on different aspects of economic research and evaluation and the economics of industrial organisations in relation to these areas. Suppliers will be asked either to provide such advice or to review and critique the work of others in these areas.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:

•Knowledge of research and evaluation techniques.
•Ability to provide specialist advice in the development of research and evaluation techniques, including the ability to advise on various aspects of econometric modelling and sampling methodologies.
•Specialist knowledge of the economics of industrial organisations and the ability to provide advice and support on developments in this area.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79300000 - Market and economic research; polling and statistics.
                  79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 7
      Title: Lot 7 Specialist Academic Advice Relating to Competition and Regulatory Economics

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover all aspects of competition and regulatory economics, including applied economics. Framework Providers in this lot will provide advice and support to CMA staff on a range of issues. The key areas of work could take the following form (though this is not an exhaustive list):
•To review and comment on (in writing or at meetings, as considered appropriate) draft documents and proposals generated by the Authority or other parties.
•To attend meetings or teleconferences with the Authority’s staff at working level to discuss issues or present advice
•To review and comment on advice provided by advisors to Parties to CMA investigations.
•To provide advice to staff on the development of strategy and policy.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate:
•Academic expertise to assist the CMA in remaining at the “cutting edge” of economic theories and technical analysis.
A good understanding of the UK and European competition and/or consumer law framework and case law may also be required.

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
               
      Lot No: 8
      Title: Lot 8 Specialist Advice Relating to Competition and Regulatory Finance and Accounting

      1)Short Description:      
      This lot will cover all aspects of competition and regulatory finance and accounting. Framework Providers in this lot will provide authoritative peer review, guidance and advice to CMA staff on a range of issues across the CMA’s case load. The key areas of work could take the following form (though this is not an exhaustive list):
•To review and comment on (in writing or at meetings, as considered appropriate) draft documents and proposals generated by the Authority.
•To attend meetings or teleconferences with Contracting Body staff at working level to discuss issues or present advice
•To review and comment on advice provided by advisors to Parties to CMA investigations.
•To provide advice to staff on the development of strategy and policy.

Bidders for this lot will be required to demonstrate significant academic or commercial expertise in some or all of the following topics:
•corporate finance and valuation
•accounting and financial reporting
•financial analysis
•regulatory finance and cost of capital
•regulatory accounting

      2)Common Procurement Vocabulary:
         79311400 - Economic research services.
                  79311410 - Economic impact assessment.
                  66170000 - Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services.
         
      3)Quantity Or Scope: Not Provided
               
      4)Indication About Different Date For Start Of Award Procedures And/Or Duration Of The Contract Not Provided
                        
                  
         5)Additional Information About Lots: Not Provided
                  
Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial And Technical Information
   III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
      III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
      As specified in the Framework Terms and Conditions
      
      III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
      This will be determined for each mini-competition from the framework.
      
      III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
      Joint & several liability
      
      III.1.4)Other particular conditions:
         The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: No       
   III.2)Conditions For Participation
      III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers:
         The Authority will apply all the offences listed in Article 45(1) of Directive 2004/18/EC (implemented as Regulation 23(1) of the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2006 in the UK) and all of the professional misconducts listed at Article 45(2) of Directive 2004/18/EC (see also Regulation 23(2) in the PCR 2006) to the decision of whether a Candidate is eligible to be invited to tender.
         
         A full list of these criteria are at http://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/project/reasonsForExclusion.html#pcr
         
         Candidates will be required to answer these questions as part of the qualification process. For candidates who are registered overseas, you will need to declare if you have any offences/misconduct under your own countries laws, where these laws are equivalent to the Regulation 23 lists. Candidates who have been convicted of any of the offences under Article 45(1) are ineligible and will not be selected to bid, unless there are overriding requirements in the general interest for doing so. Candidates who are guilty of any of the offences, circumstances or misconduct under Article 45(2) may be excluded from being selected to bid at the discretion of the Authority.

      (1)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that they are not bankrupt or the subject of an administration order, are not being wound-up, have not granted a trust deed, are not the subject of a petition presented for sequestration of their estate, have not had a receiver, manager or administrator appointed and are not otherwise apparently insolvent.
(2)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that the candidate, their directors, or any other person who has powers of representation, decision or control of the candidate has not been convicted of conspiracy, corruption, bribery, or money laundering. Failure to provide such a declaration will result In the candidate being declared ineligible and they will not be selected to participate in this procurement process.
(3)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that they have not been convicted of a criminal offence relating to the conduct of their business or profession.
(4)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that they have not committed an act of grave misconduct In the course of their business or profession.
(5)All candidates must comply with the requirements of the State in which they are established, regarding registration on the professional or trade register.
(6)Any candidate found to be guilty of serious misrepresentation in providing any Information required, may be declared ineligible and not selected to continue with this procurement process.
(7)All candidates will have to demonstrate that they are licensed, or a member of the relevant organisation, in the State where they are established, when the law of that State prohibits the provision of the services, described in this notice, by a person who is not so licensed or who is not a member of the relevant organisation .
(8)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that they have fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions under the law of any part of the United Kingdom or of the relevant State in which the candidates established.
(9)All candidates will be required to produce a certificate or declaration demonstrating that they have fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of taxes under the law of any part of the United Kingdom or of the relevant State in which the economic operator is established.      
      III.2.2)Economic and financial capacity
         Economic and financial capacity - means of proof required:         
         
         Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if requirements are met:
         As detailed in the invitation to tender (ITT) documentation         
         Minimum Level(s) of standards possibly required:
         As detailed in the invitation to tender (ITT) documentation
      
      III.2.3)Technical capacity
         Technical capacity - means of proof required         
         
         Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if requirements are met:
         As detailed in the invitation to tender (ITT) documentation         
         Minimum Level(s) of standards possibly required:
         As detailed in the invitation to tender (ITT) documentation      
      III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts: Not Provided   
   III.3)Conditions Specific To Service Contracts
      III.3.1)Information about a particular profession:
         Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: No       
      III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service:
         Legal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: Yes
Section IV: Procedure
   IV.1)Type Of Procedure
      IV.1.1)Type of procedure: Open
   
   IV.2)Award Criteria
      IV.2.1)Award criteria:      
         The most economically advantageous tender in terms of
            The criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document

      IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction:
         An electronic auction will be used: No       

   IV.3)Administrative Information
      IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority: Proc 084-2015      
      IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract: No

      IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document:



         Payable documents: No       
      
      IV.3.4)Time-limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
         Date: 12/02/2016
         Time: 12:00      
      IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up:         English
         
      IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
         Duration in days: 90
      
      IV.3.8)Conditions for opening tenders
         Date: 12/02/2016
         Time: 12:00
         Place:
         CMA, Victoria House, London QC1B 4AD
         Persons authorised to be present at the opening of tenders: No


Section VI: Complementary Information

   VI.1)This Is A Recurrent Procurement: Yes
      Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Every 4 years
   VI.2)Information about European Union funds:
      The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No       
   VI.3)Additional Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

To access Invitation To tender please register https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/SPQCSDGZ7Z
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Economic-research-services./SPQCSDGZ7Z

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/SPQCSDGZ7Z
GO-20151127-PRO-7380795 TKR-20151127-PRO-7380794
   
   VI.4)Procedures For Appeal
      VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures:
      Not Provided

      VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals: In accordance with Public Contracts Regulations 2015   
   
      VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained:
            Not Provided

   VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 27/11/2015

ANNEX A