Communications Project in Nigeria

Concepts

• nigeria
• social research
• communications
• cabinet office
• value of the initial contract award
• significant value
• quantitative research
• public attitudes
• pandemic events
• original contract price

Location

London

Description

The Cabinet Office (the ‘Authority’) has awarded a contract to the supplier for quantitative research regarding public attitudes and behaviours in relation to Coronavirus in Nigeria. The value of the initial contract award was GBP 94 739.86, with a subsequent variation of an additional GBP 47 370. This amendment was made pursuant to Regulation 72(1) (e), and did not substantially change the contract for the purposes of 72.8 of the PCR2015. We note in addition that there was significant value in the experience gained by the supplier, making a change to suppliers during this project as the pandemic events continued to develop uneconomic, and that the change to the contract value was <50 % of the original contract price (per Reg72.1.b of the PCR2015).

Total Quantity or Scope

The Cabinet Office (the ‘Authority’) has awarded a contract to the supplier for quantitative research regarding public attitudes and behaviours in relation to Coronavirus. The procurement procedure used: Negotiated procedure without prior publication (OJEU).

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 79315000 - Social research services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a serious infectious respiratory disease and its consequences pose a risk to life. 1) The Covid-19 outbreak is a public health emergency of international concerns as declared by the World Health Organisation on 30 January 20. 2) There is an immediate need to give the public accurate, relevant information about the measures Government is implementing in response to the virus and the actions the public must take in order to comply with Government policy. In order to protect themselves and others and prevent the mass spread of the virus, it is crucial that the public understand and adhere to government messages. In these circumstances, a procurement following the usual timescales under the PCR 2015, including accelerated options, was impossible without an interruption to services. 3) Corresponding with the principles of Regulation 32 and the new process set out in (Policy Procurement 01/20), Cabinet Office is satisfied the principles of tests permitting use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication (Regulation 32(2)(c)) were met as follows: A. As far as is strictly necessary: Audience research was identified as being strictly necessary to inform the content and delivery of Government messaging, ensuring it is effective, and to understand the public’s response in order to identify additional communications and policy needs. B. There are genuine reasons for extreme urgency: Cabinet Office are responding to Covid-19 immediately because of public health risks presenting a genuine emergency. C. The events that have led to the need for extreme urgency were unforeseeable: As the EU Commission itself confirmed: ‘the current coronavirus crisis presents an extreme and unforeseeable urgency – precisely for such a situation our European rules enable public buyers to buy within a matter of days, even hours, if necessary.‘ (Commissioner Breton, Internal Market, 1 April 2020). D. It was impossible to comply with the usual timescales in the PCR: Due to the urgency of the situation there was no time to run an accelerated procurement under the open, restricted or competitive Procedures with negotiation that would allow the supplier to commence work. E. The situation is not attributable to the contracting authority: Cabinet Office has not caused or contributed to the coronavirus crisis, which justifies the need for extreme urgency. Please also refer to the additional Information section.

Other Information

Contract Finder notice for original contract:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/989a89c6-e8d5-4127-8aca-e591f53bc30e&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1620653798986000&usg=AFQjCNGOi1NJnfkHcfDTe9Ov35lduDrA6Q Contracts Finder notice relating to variation:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/49b4e01b-683a-445e-95b1-8baa3ae3ab1e The Federal Government of Nigeria’s response to Covid-19 is being spearheaded by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. They have requested support from international donors to strengthen its ‘risk communications and community engagement’ pillar of its approach. This has the objective of communicating as effectively as possible with a large and varied audience in a fast-changing, multi-faceted crisis. Cabinet Office’s Government Communication Services International has proposed a project that adds value by: (a) supporting the development of a communications strategy that encompasses all international donor support and looks at developing dynamic messaging aimed at mitigating primary responses to health and policy implications and secondary impacts on the provision of vital state services; (b) supporting coordination between the PTF and other FGN ministries (horizontally) and state governments (vertically); (c) leading on the gathering of regular audience insight in partnership with the UNDP to feed into the development of targeted communications messaging; and (d) provision of ad hoc strategic communications support based on the experiences of the UK Government Communication Service in coordinating HMG’s communications response to Covid-19. This project supports that work.