Ofcom Online Research Panel

Ofcom is the UK regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobile, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. We are independent and funded by fees paid to us by the companies we regulate. Further information can be found on our website www.ofcom.org.uk. In Autumn 2020, the UK Government introduced new legislation giving Ofcom powers to regulate UK-based video-sharing platforms (VSPs). From November 2020, VSPs which fall within our jurisdiction must comply with new rules around protecting children from potentially harmful content and all users from illegal content and incitement to hatred and violence. Research from this panel will feed into a series of annual VSP monitoring reports. In Spring 2021, the UK Government published its draft Online Safety Bill, granting Ofcom new responsibilities that will help to keep people safe when they are online. The bill is due to be introduced to Parliament in 2022. Ofcom invites Applicants to submit proposals for the market research service provision of an Online Research Panel. The online research panel is defined as having access to a large number of consumers, from which quantitative and/or qualitative data can be collected quickly and at relatively low cost. Any contract(s) awarded following the conclusion of the tender process will be for an initial duration of two years. At Ofcom’s absolute discretion, the contract may be extended for up to two further periods of up to twelve months each. The maximum length of the contract is therefore four years. This tendering exercise is being undertaken using the Jaggaer electronic tendering system at https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml. Suppliers will need to register an interest on the system in order to participate and registration is free. The estimated value given is for the full duration of the contract including the maximum possible extensions. The estimated annual contract value is therefore £472,500.