Provision of the mergers and acquisitions survey: sourcing a new sampling frame

Descriptions

The Office for National statistics (ONS) conducts the UK's Mergers and Acquisitions survey (M&A), the purpose of which is to collect and measure information on the value, number and methods of funding of mergers/demergers, joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals involving UK companies. The ONS M&A data is compiled and produced to measure the level of investment involving UK companies within the UK and abroad. The ONS M&A survey is classified in three distinctive categories: o UK Domestic M&A o Inbound M&A o Outbound M&A The ONS is looking to explore alternative data sources that can be used to streamline the deal identification process. The aim is to utilise a single data source (database) rather than conducting the current scrutiny process across multiple media sources. If a suitable and reliable database can be found that meets the M&A surveys list of requirements then the ONS would look to utilise this as the M&A surveys main sampling frame going forward. ONS requires Tenderers to provide comprehensive details of M&A transactions by means of providing full access to a web-based portal database or website service for three or more ONS users, to include: o Regular daily updates made available to ONS by 9.00am daily, Monday to Friday and to include Bank Holidays o Issue hourly alerts throughout the day to notify of updates and new M&A deal information o Provide historic M&A deal data from 2005 Tenderers are asked to provide detailed and comprehensive information on the availability of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions eg.mergers/demergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and disposal/demerger transactions involving UK companies and businesses for: 1. Domestic M&A - UK companies acquiring, joint ventures, merging/demerging and/or disposing other UK companies 2. Inward M&A - Foreign companies acquiring, joint ventures, merging/demerging and/or disposing of UK companies 3. Outward M&A - UK companies acquiring, joint ventures, merging/demerging and/or disposing of foreign companies Note: The UK is defined as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands, Isle of Man are considered as part of Europe and therefore classified as the rest of the world. The cost of these services will be on an annual renewable subscription basis, effective from 1st February 2018 to 31st January 2019.