Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau Limited, trading as Visit Belfast
9 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT1 5GB
Contact
Helen Byers
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN06 - Belfast
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
www.e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
www.e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
www.e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Tourism
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Advertising Services Tender
Reference number
VB002
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This procurement relates to the provision of advertising services to Visit Belfast. Visit Belfast is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified, experienced and competent advertising agency that is able to assist Visit Belfast in promoting the Belfast City Region as a world class visitor destination. Visit Belfast is seeking to appoint a service provider to provide the required services for a three year period (with a possible maximum two year extension, at the sole discretion of Visit Belfast). For clarity, estimated value of the contract below is based on a maximum potential contract duration of 5 years. The estimated value of the contract per annum is between 500 000 GBP and 1 000 000 GBP.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £5,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79341000 - Advertising services
- 79341100 - Advertising consultancy services
- 79341200 - Advertising management services
- 79341400 - Advertising campaign services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN06 - Belfast
Main site or place of performance
Belfast
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
To assist Visit Belfast in the delivery of its business and leisure marketing and commercial plans, it wishes to secure creative, innovative, effective and competitive leisure and B2B advertising services (Services). These Services must add significant value and support to Visit Belfast’s integrated marketing, sales and communications in its key markets for leisure and business tourism.Visit Belfast’s requirement for advertising services is closely aligned with its annual business plans and strategy. Campaigns and marketing services required under any contract awarded to the successful bidder will be agreed individually between Visit Belfast and the successful bidder. Visit Belfast is under no obligation to award any (or any minimum level of) Services required exclusively to the successful bidder and does not commit or guarantee that any number, value or scale of projects will be called off from the successful bidder during the contract.A comprehensive advertising service is required to support the work of Visit Belfast and incorporate the Belfast Place Positioning brand in all campaign communication, and as appropriate, aligning with Tourism NI’s Experience Brand. The successful bidder will be responsible, as briefed by Visit Belfast, for the planning, coordination, management, delivery and evaluation of strategic advertising campaigns for Belfast.The Services will include media selection and optioning, creation and development of themes and design concepts translated across a wide variety of media, creation, and edits / refresh of film, TV and radio adverts in line with brand and partner requirements, out of home and digital media, production of relevant of complementary web communications material, brochures, exhibition display and other tactical activity as required by the campaign and within budget identified. The successful bidder will be required to deliver on the following:• Strategic planning and direction based on visitor insight/research and have the ability to utilise this information to enhance the advertising brief;• Have the ability to deliver effective, creative and innovative advertising services incorporating best practice, demonstrating creative concept, thought processes, media selection rationale and illustration of final solution;• Media direction: media strategy, planning, buying, delivery, evaluation and innovation;• Video production to support web and digital marketing in respect of Belfast’s international positioning as a leisure and business destination;• Demonstrate an understanding of Belfast’s key tourism and cultural products, visitor experiences, priority segments and local and international markets;• Effective contract management ensuring best value for money, the highest quality and consistency of service delivery, effective client liaison and management of third party suppliers;• Adhere to set budgets and tight deadlines and delivering within the parameters set; and• Support Visit Belfast in its achievement and delivery of advertising service outputs to meet its key productivity indicators, performance measures and city-wide objectives.
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: £5,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
60
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The proposed contract will continue for an initial period of 3 years, subject to performance, funding and compliance by the successful bidder with the terms of the contract. There is an option for extension for a further 2 periods of 1 year each, at Visit Belfast's sole discretion. This option to extend will only be considered upon satisfactory performance of the successful provider and the requisite funding being made available to Visit Belfast. Projects within the contract will be agreed individually and Visit Belfast is under no obligation to award any services required exclusively to the successful provider or ensure any number, value or scale of projects during the contract.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
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
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Visit Belfast may require members of a consortium to assume a specific legal form if awarded the contract pursuant to Regulation 19(6) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). Alternatively, the consortium members may be required to accept joint and several liability under any contract awarded. Visit Belfast reserves the right to request further information regarding sub-contractors and/or consortium members if considered relevant. Where parties are bidding in partnership, joint and several liability will be required. Financial guarantees and/or other guarantees of performance may be required by Visit Belfast if considered appropriate.
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
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: 2020/S 250-626802
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
1 June 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: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
1 June 2021
Local time
12:01pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
The costs of responding to this notice and participation in the process shall be borne by each bidder. All discussions and correspondence will be deemed strictly subject to contract unless and until a formal contract is entered into (as confirmed in writing by Visit Belfast).
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JF
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:Any appeals should be promptly brought to the attention of Visit Belfast and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). Any appeals must be brought within the time-scales specified by the applicable law, including, without limitation, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). In accordance with such regulations, Visit Belfast will also incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the point information on award of contract is communicated to bidders.
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau Limited, trading as Visit Belfast
9 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT1 5GB
Country
United Kingdom