Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for International Trade
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW
Contact
Will Medici
CommercialMarEvents@trade.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 7741186925
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Export Promotion PR Services
Reference number
Project_988, itt_211, CR_1196
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79416000 - Public relations services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Department for International Trade ("DIT"), has a requirement for a specialist Public Relations (PR) Agency to deliver PR services that are vital to the successful execution of a more "retail" style of campaigning, as a means to create attention and build momentum around the present opportunity for national growth via exporting.
To access this procurement, please follow the link provided to register on DIT's e-tendering platform, Jaggaer. Once registered, search for "Project_988" and/or "Export Promotion PR Services".
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £400,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
- 79342000 - Marketing services
- 79416000 - Public relations services
- 79416100 - Public relations management services
- 79416200 - Public relations consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance
United Kingdom, although there may be a requirement to work with overseas teams
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Department for International Trade (“DIT”) has a requirement for the provision of “Export Promotion PR Services” . The Secretary of State for DIT is the contracting authority, referred to in documentation as the "Client".
The full specification is provided within the Invitation to Tender ITT) on DIT's e-tendering platform, Jaggaer.
In summary, DIT is looking to procure the services of a PR Agency in support of its Export Promotion Campaign. This is vital to the successful execution of a more "retail" style of campaigning, as a means to create attention and build momentum around the present opportunity for national growth via exporting.
DIT have set out an overall approach, proposing overarching and sector-specific "eye-catching" initiatives that will support its work across priority sectors, including:
- Agri-food and drink
- Financial and Professional Services
- Creative
- Education
- Digital / Tech
- Consumer Goods
- Clean Growth
and key themes including:
1. Skills theme: Export Academy
2. Opportunity theme: Opening Doors (Trade deals)
3. Regional theme: Levelling Up and the Union.
DIT's vision is to deliver one unified campaign cutting across sectors and key themes, with one message: "Grow your business through exporting now".
This new tranche of "retail" campaigns marks a significant step change in the use of PR in DIT communications and marketing campaigns.
There is also scope within these requirements to provide services in respect of other DIT and HMG campaigns.
The contract shall be for a period of twelve (12) months, with the contractual option to extend by up to a further twelve (12) months . The requirement has an estimated total value of £400,000 (ex-VAT) per annum, meaning, should the option be enabled to extend (by any length), up to an additional £400,000 (ex-VAT) can be added to the contract value.
Bidders will be expected to demonstrate their tenders will continue to deliver value for money throughout the period of the contract.
DIT has conducted a Cyber Risk Assessment to identify the level of cyber risk to this requirement. It has been identified that Cyber Essentials or equivalent is required. The successful agency will need to undergo a review with DIT's internal data security team upon appointment.
DIT is using e-tendering for this procurement which means this Invitation To Tender (ITT) and the forms for submitting a response are only available in electronic form which can be accessed via your web browser at: https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/. Bidders should read all the instructions and documents thoroughly and follow the defined processes to comply with our requirements.
DIT intends to make the tender documentation available around 12:00 BST on Monday 29th March 2021 (this notice may appear before then).
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £400,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract can be extended by up to a further twelve (12) months, in as many periods within the twelve (12) months as DIT decides. Should DIT engage any length of extension, it may increase the contract value by up to a further £400,000 (ex-VAT).
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Bidders will be required to Pitch as part of their response to the Technical Envelope - all details contained within the ITT on Jaggaer. DIT will only arrange the date and time of Pitches once bidders are known following submission of written elements. Please keep the date range indicated in the ITT available.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Membership
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-004523
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
28 April 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
28 April 2021
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Department for International Trade
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW
Country
United Kingdom