Provision of a Test Scanner Dataset Market Engagement

Invitation

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is looking to procure a test scanner dataset. ONS would like to hold a discussion with potential suppliers as we have a number of questions (in particular with regards to the timescales), and would appreciate suppliers views. All discussions will be kept confidential and used to inform ONS' understanding of available scanner data in advance of tendering for a test scanner dataset.

Background

ONS currently collect around 200,000 prices monthly for Consumer Prices Index (CPI), this involves price collectors visiting stores across the UK and manually collecting each price quote. Some prices are also collected by staff based in the ONS through online research and by telephone. We'd like to transform our data collection, and use scanner and web scraped data as alternatives. These data sources would allow us to produce more detailed and better quality economic statistics. The CPI is used by the Bank of England as the UK's inflation target, price statistics are also used to uprate rail fares, benefits, government gilts, and pensions. These statistics have an impact across the UK economy and society. Our focus is to improve the UK's economic statistics.

'Scanner' systems used by retailers (at the point of sale) provide a rich source of data covering price paid and quantities of products purchased, that could be utilised by ONS to improve the quality and timeliness of the statistics we produce.

As part of the research work required to implement these data sources, the ONS are looking to procure a test scanner dataset that would allow for assessment of new methods and systems while we continue our engagement with retailers to access their scanner data in the long-term.

About ONS

ONS is the UK's largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised national statistical institute for the UK. Formally, it is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-Ministerial Department established by the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. It is responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels. It also conducts the Census in England and Wales every ten years. ONS plays a leading role in national and international good practice in the production of official statistics.

Next steps

A short tele-conference meeting is arranged for Monday 4th February 2019 at 3pm (maximum of one hour) to discuss the feasibility of the requirements.

How to Register

If you would like to take part in the meeting, please register on the ONS e-tendering portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/ons and use the 'express an interest' function against the project title 'Provision of a Test Scanner Dataset'.

Joining instructions and the questions to be discussed in the call will then be sent to you via the In-tend portal to your registered email ad...

Additional information: How to Register

If you would like to take part in the meeting, please register on the ONS e-tendering portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/ons and use the 'express an interest' function against the project title 'Provision of a Test Scanner Dataset'.

Joining instructions and the questions to be discussed in the call will then be sent to you via the In-tend portal to your registered email address.

In the event that this tele-conference meeting provides ONS sufficient information on the type of data that is available and the timescales in which this can be delivered, ONS foresees a tender will be issued.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No