Invitation to tender for the administration of the Tameside Citizens’ Panel

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council is inviting tenders for the administration of the Tameside Citizens’ Panel from 5 March 2012 to 4 March 2013 (with the provision to extend for a further 2 year period). The estimated value of the contract over three years is in the region of £30,000 per year with rises in subsequent years due to inflation and salary and cost increases. There may be separate requirements from schools within the authority.

The Council has the following objectives in issuing this tender:

• To hold the panel database and maintain records accurately on behalf of the Council for the period of the contract.
• To undertake an exercise to ‘refresh’ approximately one-third of panel members each year.
• To undertake booster recruitment exercises if required.
• To undertake the administration of two or three postal and/or online surveys per year. Specific responsibilities of the Consultant will be as follows:
  • To work closely with Tameside MBC to design survey questionnaires; which should be professionally typeset and printed in two colours.
  • To administer the mailing of questionnaires and covering letters, including a reminder mailing with questionnaire.
  • To administer online questionnaires and collate responses.
  • To record returns and keep Tameside MBC fully informed of progress.
  • To enter code and process data, ensuring that the highest possible quality standards are maintained.
  • To work with Tameside MBC to ensure the most appropriate analysis of survey data to meet client needs.
  • To provide a detailed written report of survey findings, anonymised raw data, and comprehensive cross-tabulations, indicating limitations to the analysis interpretation of the data, for approval by the Council.
• To typeset and print newsletters in colour for panel circulation, using text drafted by Tameside MBC.
• To provide assistance with the recruitment of panel members to other forms of consultation if required, where panel members’ permission has been granted. Actual recruitment may be undertaken by the Council.

The joint invitation to tender and qualification questionnaire documents can be accessed through www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk . Submissions are invited for the due date of Noon on Friday 10 February 2012 either by post to the Policy, Partnerships and Scrutiny Unit or via The Chest website.

If you require further information on this tender process, please contact Shaun Lowthian, Senior Policy Officer, on 0161 342 3026.