The acquisition will expand Rep Data’s survey programming and implementation capabilities, with the company looking to strengthen operational quality controls before the fieldwork stage.

OWL specialises in survey programming, data processing, fieldwork consulting and niche research verticals, and has expertise in operational elements of surveys, including quota paths, randomisation, piping, sample routing and respondent validation.

Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Rochester, New York.

New Orleans-based Rep Data bought Research Defender in 2023 to create a combined business for research sampling and data fraud prevention technology. 

This year, Rep Data also acquired Austrian data quality tool business ReDem and consumer research platform SightX.

The company said the latest acquisition supports its broader strategy of developing a ‘more connected research workflow’ across sample, fraud prevention, survey programming and analytics.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Patrick Stokes, chief executive and founder, Rep Data, said: “When programming issues occur, they create downstream errors, rework and delays that impact the entire project lifecycle. OWL Programming brings deep operational survey programming expertise to Rep Data.”

Michael Wildt, president, OWL, said: “OWL has always been focused on making the operational side of research easier, faster, and more precise for clients. Joining Rep Data allows us to bring that same commitment to quality and responsiveness into a broader research infrastructure.”