UK government's COI to renew research roster

UK-- The Central Office of Information is preparing to renew its roster of research agencies and will be looking to sign up at least 80 firms.

That's the size of the current roster – but research director Fiona Wood says the new framework could end up being even bigger to reflect the broader scope of research work now carried out by the government's communications agency.

She explained: “The type of agency that is great at delivering a large and complex tracking study among the general public is rarely the same as one able to undertake in-depth qualitative work with seldom heard audiences, such as travellers or homeless people.”

Agencies currently in the roster will have to reapply, as there is a legal requirement to review it every four years.

Wood told Research: “Our aim is provide excellent research solutions for government departments and the public sector that secure value for money. We want to work with the best. This is a dynamic market that has changed significantly in the past four years.

“COI's research framework provides a competitive stage for agencies who can demonstrate high quality thinking and creative solutions for research involving the diverse audiences that make up the UK today.”

In its annual report released this week, the COI said its research spend had jumped 30% to £22.6m in the 2007-08 financial year from £17.3m in 06/07.

Author: James Verrinder