DDaT23599 /Prj_ 2969- ICS, User Research Participants

Description

Summary of work Integrated Corporate Services, Digital requires a partner to recruit research participants from diverse backgrounds to take part in ICS Digital user research events as and when they arise, to contribute to the delivery of government services. ICS Digital work in an agile, user focused way to ensure quality services are delivered. No commitment to spend two year call-off contract to recruit participants for user research sessions for Integrated Corporate Services, Digital. With the option to extend the contract for 1 year. Where the research will take place North East England North West England Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands West Midlands East of England London South East England South West England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland Who the organisation using the products or services is Integrated Corporate Services (ICS), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESZN) and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Any pre-market engagement done Not Applicable Number of research rounds This is a Call-Off Contract. There will not be a set number of rounds. Number of participants per round The size of rounds will vary depending upon the research projects however most will involve a minimum of 5 participants. Research dates Call Off Contract to cover research between October 2024- October 2025 How often research will happen On average every 2 weeks. This may change dependent upon the individual project requirements. Research location Remote user research will be predominantly required. This will be conducted by the use of Microsoft Teams. In exceptional circumstances where in-person research is required this would be confirmed via a work package. Access restrictions at location This will be communicated for each site/user research setting as defined and agreed via a work package. Accessibility needs will be considered when booking interviews Description of participants ICS Digital will require a representative sample of participants which will vary depending on the specific requirements of each project. For each project ICS Digital will produce a brief which will define the skills, behaviour or attributes a participant should/should not have. In ICS we work across both DSIT and DESNZ, our requirement for user researchers will be ongoing as an essential business need. We’ve previously required user research participants when designing nationwide energy schemes. One of which was the Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) in which we required a specific use group, such as care home managers, those who live off-grid and continuous cruisers (living on boats). We will require a range of both citizens and businesses to help us with the development of support products. Participants will not only help with the development of products designed to help them but to also shape future policy. The ability to recruit people from a wide range of social economic backgrounds across the whole of the UK is essential. Representatives from disadvantaged groups especially those with disabilities are particularly welcomed. We also may require users with low digital skills. Businesses, especially SMEs are difficult to engage so, we would welcome bids from suppliers that have any experience of supplying candidates in that area. We also, depending on project requirements seek users who have not participated in research within the past 3-6 months, sometimes we would require to record the sessions. Assisted digital and accessibility requirements Describe accessibility requirements: 1/10 users recruited should have either low digital skills or accessibility requirements. The recruiter should be able to recruit the full range of users with accessibility requirements (visual, hearing, cognitive, mobility, etc) depending on the requirements of the project. Research plan The Contract will cover multiple research plans. The recruiter will be expected to adapt to new requirements as new plans emerge. Special terms and conditions special term or condition: Not Applicable Budget Indicative maximum: £337500 Indicative minimum: The contract value is not specified by the buyer Further information: Maximum budget is £225,000.00 excluding VAT over the initial period of 2 years Then additional value for optional extension 1 year is estimated as 112,500 excluding VAT, with no commitment to spend the entire value. The overall opportunity value is £337,500 excluding VAT ( £405,000 including VAT) Terms and acronyms Term or acronym: ICS Definition: Integrated Corporate Services Term or acronym: DESZN Definition: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Term or acronym: DSIT Definition: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.