T26-080BUS Place Based Perception Research and Strategic Alignment Study

The contract timeline is as follows:

The anticipated contract award date is November 2026. The estimated contract start date is 30 November 2026. The successful contractor is expected to commence the commission as soon as practicable following the contract award. The estimated contract end date is 30 April 2027. The total estimated duration is 5 months and 1 day. The commission must be completed within six months of the agreed contract commencement date, including all research, analysis, reporting, stakeholder validation, final presentation, handover, and knowledge transfer requirements. Tenderers are required to provide a detailed project plan outlining key activities, milestones, deliverables, and anticipated timescales across this six-month period.

The core scope of work for this tender involves the design, development, and delivery of a comprehensive Place Based Perception Research and Strategic Alignment Study. This study encompasses strategic alignment and ambition setting (Stage 1), establishing the evidence base and perception baseline (Stage 2), and the framework design for monitoring, evaluation, and tracking. A core element is structured stakeholder engagement with regional representatives from public, private, academic, tourism, business, and community sectors to identify shared ambitions, priorities, opportunities, and challenges. The research aims to establish a baseline understanding of how the Derry City & Strabane Region is perceived across priority audiences and markets, exploring awareness, reputation, strengths, differentiators, challenges, barriers, civic pride, lived experience, and advocacy. The entire commission must be completed within six months of the agreed contract commencement date.

The statement of work summary and core deliverables include:

• Inception Report: detailing confirmed methodology, agreed audiences, market locations, project plan, stakeholder engagement plan, risk register, governance arrangements, and any proposed amendments to the project brief, scope, or methodology.
• Evidence Review and Gap Analysis Report: summarizing existing evidence, datasets, strategic documents, and identified research gaps.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Alignment Report: covering stakeholder findings, shared ambitions, strategic priorities, and emerging themes.
• Interim Findings Presentation and Validation Session: for review and refinement of emerging findings with Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC) and stakeholders.
• Baseline Place Perception Report: with analysis and findings segmented by audience and market.
• Audience Insight and Segmentation Analysis: providing insights across agreed priority audiences.
• Comparative Benchmarking Report: including comparator analysis, lessons, and implications.
• Digital and Media Analysis Report: covering digital visibility, online perception, and media representation findings.
• Place Perception Framework and KPI Methodology: including baseline indicators, a tracking framework, governance considerations, and a recommended monitoring approach.
• Strategic Action and Implementation Framework: providing actionable recommendations and future priorities.
• Final Presentation and Stakeholder Briefing: presenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supporting Data and Technical Outputs: such as data tables, methodology documentation, questionnaires, coding frameworks, and other agreed research materials in editable formats.