Lesson 3.4 — Market Research Methods, Supplier Identification and Cost Analysis
Market Research Methods, Supplier Identification and Cost Analysis
Jozef Kubinec presents market research methods and supplier identification. André Berle Falsig concludes with supplier pricing, lifecycle costs and Total Cost of Ownership.
Lesson content
The lesson compares informal and formal market research, demonstrates both through iProcureNet cases, and explains how to map supplier capabilities and market dynamics. It then shifts from identifying possible suppliers to understanding how suppliers price solutions and how buyers should calculate lifecycle costs.
What you will learn
- Select informal or formal research methods for the stage and decision at hand
- Use RFI and OMC to collect documented evidence on capabilities, TRL, pricing and delivery
- Build and classify a supplier landscape using multiple data sources
- Assess concentration, barriers to entry and supply-chain dependencies
- Compare supplier pricing with the buyer’s development, CAPEX and OPEX costs
Choose the research method
Practical sequence: early exploration → informal methods; before a PCP/PPI decision → formal RFI or OMC; before tender publication in a Horizon Europe-funded procurement → follow the applicable formal OMC requirements.
Evidence from iProcureNet
Build the supplier landscape
From supplier price to Total Cost of Ownership
Check: energy, water and other consumption; licences and approvals; subscriptions; material degradation; spare parts; cooling, heating or wastewater; training; maintenance and services.
Key terms
| RFI | Request for Information: a structured method for collecting comparable supplier input before procurement. |
|---|---|
| Supplier landscape | A structured map of relevant organisations, capabilities, positions and dependencies. |
| CAPEX | Capital expenditure related to building, acquiring and deploying the solution. |
| OPEX | Recurring expenditure required to operate, maintain and support the solution. |
| TCO | Total Cost of Ownership: development investment, CAPEX and OPEX over the relevant lifecycle. |
Before you continue
Reflection: Which research method would close your most important evidence gap, and which lifecycle cost is most likely to be underestimated?
Lesson resource: S3-L4 — Market Research Methods, Supplier Identification & Cost Analysis.
