Invitation to tender: Developing a case for support for U.K. Census 2011
microdata

This is an invitation to tender for a research project aimed at developing a
case for support the production of Census 2011 microdata. In 1991 and 2001
data were released in the form of Samples of Anonymised Records allowing
researchers to produce non-standard outputs from the census including
statistical models. The work is being commissioned by the SARs team at the
University of Manchester which is funded under the ESRC Census program. 

The main output from this project will be a report which builds a business
case for cross-sectional microdata files from the 2011 Census. This case
will be aimed primarily at the statistical offices for the U.K (ONS, GROS,
NISRA)  - who will require considerable investment in making the data
available -   but should also be relevant to other bodies who may provide
financial support for delivering the data (e.g. the ESRC). The report should
consider the key uses of samples of census microdata (across all sectors,
e.g. academic, local and central government, health authorities and the
business sector). These requirements should lead to proposals for the design
of one or more microdata samples. In addition it will be important to
identify whether there are alternative data sources (currently available or
planned) that can meet some or all of these requirements – or whether they
can only be met by appropriate samples of census microdata 

The successful tenderer will also be expected to present the report at the
SARs user meeting in March 2009, and may be asked to attend at least one
further meeting to discuss the report findings

All applications to tender should be delivered to the address below (or by
email to [log in to unmask]) by 27 October 2008. The
application should include a proposed specification of the work to be
undertaken, a full CV of all persons involved in the bid, undertaking that
deadlines will be met, details of Employer's Liability insurance, Public
Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance and full details of
costs using the costing table included in the tender document.

There is no fixed budget for this piece of work though it is likely to
entail between 20 and 25 days FTE to complete. Applicants should indicate
the total cost of the work in their submission as well as a breakdown of all
charges and expenses.

If necessary, applicants may be invited to attend a commissioning meeting
during the week commencing November 3rd. The successful tender will be
announced no later than 11 November 2008. Work may commence as soon as
possible thereafter.

A preliminary report should be delivered to the SARs team by the 1 March
2009. The final report should be available by 31 March 2009. 

Further Enquiries

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Prof Ed Fieldhouse, Director
of the SARs support team at the University of Manchester, for further
information. 

Contact details:

Professor Edward Fieldhouse
Professor of Social and Political Science
School of Social Sciences
University of Manchester
[log in to unmask]
Tel. 0161 275 7439

For administrative enquiries please contact Gill Meadows:

[log in to unmask]
Tel. 0161 275 0270.

For more information and to submit your application, please see the document
at http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/sars/SARsconsultation.doc

Gill Meadows
Administrator, ESDS Government and The SARs
Cathie Marsh Centre for Census and Survey Research (CCSR)
School of Social Sciences
University of Manchester
Kantorovich Building
Humanities Bridgeford Street
Manchester
M13 9PL