Research and Insights DPS (RM6126): what it buys and how to join

RM6126 is a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for social, economic and market research and behavioural insights. It is run by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA), called Crown Commercial Service until 1 April 2026. Firms can apply to join at any time, free of charge, until it ends on 23 February 2029. GCA plans to replace it with RM6414 under the Procurement Act 2023.

What it is

A DPS is a list of approved suppliers that stays open to new members. Public bodies use it to run their own competitions for each piece of work. RM6126 was set up under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

• Who can buy through it: central government, local authorities, health, police, fire and rescue, education, devolved administrations and charities (contract notice).
• Its intended role: the 2021 notice says it was set up to be “the recommended vehicle for all research and behavioural insights services required by UK Central Government Departments”.
• Extension: in November 2025, GCA extended it to 23 February 2029 and raised its estimated value from £350 million to £1.3 billion (notice 070846-2025).
• The older Research Marketplace (RM6018) was the research DPS before it. It ran from 16 February 2018 to 15 February 2022. GCA’s page for it points to RM6126 (GCA RM6018).

What it buys

GCA says buyers can use it to (GCA RM6126):

• build knowledge and gather evidence in their field;
• understand audiences and issues, and raise public awareness;
• base policies and public service design on research evidence;
• use applied behavioural insights;
• buy media monitoring, analysis, evaluation and related services.

Buyers make a shortlist using four groups of filters: subject area, research methods, participant groups and location. The full list is in GCA’s scope overview and service filters spreadsheet.

Who can join and how

Any supplier can apply while the DPS runs. Registration is free, and there is no limit on the number of suppliers (DPS Marketplace).

1. Register on the DPS Marketplace.
2. Download the bid pack and read “Read First – RM6126 DPS Needs”.
3. Choose “Access as a supplier” to apply. You can change your answers there later.

Buyers’ shortlists come from the filters, so your answers decide which competitions you are invited to. The official list of appointed suppliers is on the DPS Marketplace under “View Suppliers”. We don’t name suppliers on this site.

How work is awarded

A call-off is a contract that a buyer awards through the DPS. Each one goes through a further competition. This is a small tender (a competition for a contract) open only to the firms on the buyer’s shortlist. GCA’s steps for buyers are:

1. The buyer filters the DPS and saves a shortlist of capable suppliers.
2. The shortlist is valid for two working days, because new suppliers may join at any time.
3. The buyer invites every shortlisted supplier to bid. This invitation to tender (ITT) sets out the specification, evaluation criteria and contract terms.
4. GCA suggests allowing at least 10 days for responses, and longer for complex work. Buyers may add a second stage, such as a presentation.
5. The buyer evaluates the bids, checks the winning firm’s evidence and awards the contract. “Where appropriate”, it publishes the award on Contracts Finder.

The invitations go only to shortlisted firms, but some awards are published later. Find a Tender’s record for RM6126 links 42 contract award notices from February 2023 to October 2026, for work such as evaluations and surveys (Find a Tender data).

What changes under the Procurement Act 2023

The Act came into force on 24 February 2025 (GOV.UK). It replaces DPSs with dynamic markets for new procurements (guidance).

• Old DPSs end by 2029. A DPS set up under the old rules ends on its planned date or on 23 February 2029, whichever is earlier. It can’t be extended past that date. Contracts already awarded continue under the old rules (transitional guidance).
• Dynamic markets are also open to join at any time. The difference is that each competition under one is advertised with a tender notice. If a firm applies to join after seeing that notice, the buyer normally has to consider its application before the deadline. Fees can be charged only to suppliers that win contracts.
• RM6414, the Research and Insights Agreement, will replace RM6126. GCA says its structure “is not yet finalised”, so it isn’t known yet whether it will be a dynamic market, a framework or something else (GCA RM6414).

Key dates

GCA hasn’t published a pipeline, market engagement or planned procurement notice for RM6414 yet.

What to do now

• Not on RM6126? Apply. It stays open to new suppliers until 23 February 2029.
• Already on it? Check that your filter answers cover all the research you do.
• Plan for RM6414. GCA says it will announce engagement sessions and webinars on the RM6414 page.

Questions people ask

Who is on the Research and Insights DPS?

The official list is on the DPS Marketplace, under “View Suppliers”. We don’t name suppliers.

Is RM6126 still open to new suppliers?

Yes. Suppliers can apply at any time until it ends on 23 February 2029.

What will replace RM6126?

RM6414, the Research and Insights Agreement, under the Procurement Act 2023. GCA estimates the award in November 2028.

Is the Research Marketplace the same thing?

No. The Research Marketplace (RM6018) was the older DPS. It expired on 15 February 2022.

How Tenderhooks helps

Tenderhooks reads Find a Tender, Contracts Finder and Public Contracts Scotland through the day and matches research tenders to your firm’s searches. RM6126 invitations go only to shortlisted firms, so they are not public and no alert service can show them. Joining the DPS is how you receive them. Award notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder feed each buyer’s record in Tenderhooks. Our free research reports list research supplier lists that are open to join now.

Sources

• GCA: RM6126: scope, filters, call-off steps, end date, name change. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
• DPS Marketplace: RM6126: how to apply, free registration, no limit, supplier list. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
• Find a Tender: notice 027493-2021, via the official API: date, who can buy, intended role, £350 million. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
• Find a Tender: notice 070846-2025, via the API: extension and £1.3 billion. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
• Find a Tender API: RM6126 record: 42 linked award notices. Checked 2 Nov 2026.

This page explains official rules and guidance in plain English, checked on the date above. It is not legal advice. The official sources it links to are what apply.

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