QA Audience Analysis 19UK5625Q0046.pdf

GSO/Procurement/London/DM/AA

Questions and Answers

Solicitation number: 19UK5625Q0046 - Audience Analysis

Questions Answers

1) Can focus groups be conducted fully online if justified methodologically, or is in-person fieldwork mandatory?

No

2) Is this project a successor to an existing research contract?

No

3) Are UK-based operations required at contract award, or is it sufficient to establish a UK office within 30 days as outlined in the SOW?

As outlined in the Statement of Work, a UK office must be established within 30 days, with evidence provided.

4) Will simultaneous interpretation or sign language services be required for any sessions, or should proposals assume English-only?

English-only

5) Are there preferred audience segments, geographies, or policy issues the Embassy would like prioritized in research design and implementation?

To be determined with the awardee.

6) Can incentives for participants be included as direct costs in the firm fixed price, or should they be presented separately?

Incentives must be included in the firm’s fixed price.

7) Are there formatting requirements for the final report (e.g., PowerPoint, Word, PDF with visuals), or is this at the contractor’s discretion?

To be determined with the awardee.

8) Should participants be informed that the sponsor of the focus groups is the Embassy, or should the sponsor’s identity remain anonymous?

To be determined.

9) Will past performance references from outside the UK be accepted, or is UK-specific experience required?

All references will be considered as part of the evaluation process.

10) Should Value Added Tax (VAT) be included in the quoted price or shown as a separate line item?

VAT should be shown as a separate line item, but only if the offeror is VAT-registered in the United Kingdom.

11) Is the study purely qualitative, or will it involve mixed methods? If mixed, what are

The study will use mixed methods. The quantitative aspect involves collecting and analyzing data from surveys or focus groups.

the expectations for the quantitative component?

There are no fixed proportions required between qualitative and quantitative data.

12) How should the proposal be formatted?

Are there any restrictions on page length, font size, or preferred file type?

Proposals can be submitted in either Word or PowerPoint, whichever the bidder prefers. There are no restrictions on page length or font size.

13) Can you provide more details on the themes to be explored in the focus groups and how the findings will be used?

The focus will be on public sentiment regarding U.S. policies, including demographic analysis of attitudes toward the U.S. and its foreign policy.

These insights will inform public outreach strategies.

14) The contract runs from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026. When are the focus groups expected to take place, and when is the final report due?

Specific dates for the focus groups are not set, but they are expected to occur after initial research is completed. The final report date is also unspecified but should fall within the contract period, allowing time for Embassy review and any necessary follow-up.

15) Is there a formal weighted evaluation criteria for the proposal? If so, could you please send across?

Please refer to the evaluation criteria mentioned in SOW section 10.0

16) What are the expectations for the survey and message testing components of the Statement of Work?

The survey will target approximately 1,000 UK adults aged 18+, using structured questions to assess understanding, resonance, persuasiveness, and overall impact of various messages.

17) Is only one quantitative survey required under the Statement of Work?

Yes. The SOW calls for “a mix of online focus groups, surveys, and message testing to provide both qualitative and quantitative insights.” The deliverables also mention “tabulations of questionnaire responses,” confirming that one quantitative survey is sufficient.

18) Will the qualitative focus groups include specialist audiences such as U.S. expats and students? Should these be dedicated groups or mixed representation?

Only UK-based participants will be included. The qualitative groups will focus on relevant UK audiences. U.S. expats will not be part of the focus group composition.

19) Should the message testing survey sample include U.S. expats, students, or other specialist audiences?

No. The message testing survey will include only UK-based adults. U.S. expats are not part of the survey sample.

20) What are the expectations for the 5–10-minute mock session with Embassy staff?

No mock session is anticipated. The objectives and methodology are already clearly defined and will be addressed within the planned sessions.