# 2026-026 Cost Allocation and Recovery Review Deliberative Research

> Contract award record from UK public-sector procurement sources.

## Key facts

- Public buyer: [Ofgem](/buyers/ofgem/contract-awards)
- Contract winner: Thinks Insight & Strategy \(Britain Thinks\) Limited
- Award value: £193,513
- Tender value: £193,513
- Award date: 28 August 2026
- Published: 23 September 2026
- Contract start: 28 August 2026
- Contract end: 31 December 2027
- Stage: awarded
- Procurement category: services
- Notice ID: 47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6-915223
- OCID: ocds-b5fd17-46f9d908-8f75-418d-9160-cc8ca6e6fe41

## Description

Ofgem is seeking to commission a deliberative research project to explore how consumers think about, assess and respond to different approaches to cost allocation and cost recovery across the energy system\. The supplier will conduct market research to examine consumers lived experiences and priorities in relation to affordability, quality of service, ease of engagement, fair treatment, and the effectiveness of support available to vulnerable consumers\. The findings will provide Ofgem with robust evidence on consumer preferences, including what consumers value most, the trade-offs they are willing to make, and the reasons underpinning those preferences\. This will support informed decision-making on future policy and regulatory approaches to cost allocation and recovery, ensuring that consumer perspectives are appropriately reflected in Ofgem's considerations\.

## Related contract awards

- [2025-121 Qualitative Research Call-Off Contract](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-e4eed6b9-d1fc-4efb-9e07-3c184624a453): Ofgem
- [2026-021 Econometrics and Economic Analysis](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-08489271-ee5e-48b1-a58c-71f409345538): Ofgem
- [2026-027 Non-Domestic Consumer Research](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-1753c6a4-5dd3-4b8a-927d-aa21fa83785f): Ofgem

## Source

[View the original notice on Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/47e93d3f-fb97-47e4-bc94-8fa25e74fbe6-915223)