Contract

Local Democracy Reporting Service - 2025 Supplier Applications

  • The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-019292

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04c196 (view related notices)

Published 7 May 2025, 10:27am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Broadcasting House, Portland Place

London

W1A 1AA

Email

joseph.thompson@bbc.co.uk

Telephone

+44 1234567890

Fax

+44 1234567890

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/

Buyer's address

https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk/

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Broadcasting


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Local Democracy Reporting Service - 2025 Supplier Applications

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

A key component of the BBC’s public purpose mission is to ensure that audiences can engage fully with major local issues, essential to democracy, keeping audiences informed and holding local authority to account. The BBC works with the local news industry to improve the provision of local journalism and has now completed a competitive procurement for the reselection of 'Suppliers' for the Local Democracy Reporting Service across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, to deliver the recruitment of 165 journalists, employed by local news providers, across 118 Contract Areas.

This notice outlines the results of the tender process for the 2025 Supplier Applications following the tender which commenced in December 2024.

In regards to total value of the contracts awarded, the level of funding the BBC provides in relation to each Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) (as stated in the ITT) is £40,790 per LDR (non-London) and £43,190 per LDR (London) per annum with a 2% inflationary increase per annum in year 2 onwards. The breakdown of the 165 LDRs allocated across each contract area was stated in the tender documents.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £32,500,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

Lot No

1 to 118

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery / Weighting: 35%

Quality criterion - Name: Holding Power to Account / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Relationships / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Audience and Engagemnet / Weighting: 7.5%

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Multimedia Content / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Diversity / Weighting: 10%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability / Weighting: 2.5%

Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 0

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The initial contract term will run for a period of 30 months. Contracts may be extended for up to an additional 30 months to 30th June 2030.

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 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: 2024/S 000-038797


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E43

Lot No

43

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Brighton and Hove News Ltd

Brighton

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

S01, S05, S07, S08

Lot No

91, 95, 97, 98

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 6

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

DC Thomson & Co Ltd

Dundee

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E05, E09, E13, E45

Lot No

5, 9, 13, 45

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 7

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Iliffe Media Group

Rochester

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E01, E04, E15, E21, E41, E44, E61, E62, E63, N01, N03, N05, N06, N09, S04, S12

Lot No

1, 4, 15, 21, 41, 44, 61, 62, 63, 80, 82, 84, 85, 88, 94, 102

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 26

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

National World Publishing Ltd

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E(3,7,8,18,20,22, 23, 24, 26, 34, 35, 37, 40, 42, 51, 52, 56, 57, 60, 65), N (7, 10), S9, W(3,5,11)

Lot No

3, 7, 8, 18, 20, 22-24, 26, 34, 35, 37, 40, 42, 51, 52, 56, 57, 60, 65, 86, 89, 99, 110, 112, 118

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 51

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Newsquest Media Group Ltd

Newport

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E(2,6,10,11,14,16,19,25,27,29,30,31,32,33,39,46,47,48,49,50,53,54,55,58,64,66,67)

Lot No

2,6,10,11,14,16,19,25,27,29,30,31,32,33,39,46,47,48,49,50,53,54,55,58,64,66,67

Title

Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 54

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Reach Shared Services Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

L(1,2,4,5,8,9,10,11,12), N(2,4,8,11)

Lot No

68, 69, 71, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 87, 90

Title

Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 32

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Reach Shared Services Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

S(10,11,13,14,15,16,17), W(1,2,4,6,7,8)

Lot No

100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 113, 114, 115

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 25

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Reach Shared Services Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

L03, L06, L07

Lot No

70, 73, 74

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 11

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Social Spider CiC

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

W10

Lot No

117

Title

Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 1

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Tindle Newspapers Ltd

Farnham

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E38

Lot No

38

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 3

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Baylis Community Media CiC

Maidenhead

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

W09

Lot No

116

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Caerphilly Media Ltd

Caerphilly

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

S02, S03

Lot No

92, 93

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 4

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Highland News and Media Ltd

Elgin

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E28

Lot No

28

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Radio Manx Ltd

Douglas

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E36

Lot No

36

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Newbury News & Media Ltd

Newbury

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

S06

Lot No

96

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Shetland News Online Ltd

Shetland

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E12

Lot No

12

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 April 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The University of Northampton Enterprises Ltd

Northampton

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

E59

Lot No

59

Title

Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications

A contract/lot is awarded: No

five.1) Information on non-award

The contract/lot is not awarded

No tenders or requests to participate were received or all were rejected


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

In the case of technology requirements, the BBC may involve its technology partner (Atos IT Solutions and Services Limited) to assist in the scoping and drafting of invitations to tender and/or the evaluation of tenders. However, the final decision as to which is the most economically advantageous (by reference to the award criteria) will be made by the BBC. The awarding authority reserves the right not to award a contract and to annul the procurement process at any stage. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in sterling and all payments will be made in sterling. The contract shall be subject to English law. The awarding authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or any tender and reserves the right to accept part of a tender unless the tenderer expressly stipulates otherwise in the tender document.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Business and Property Courts of England and Wales – TCC

Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane

London

EC4A 1NL

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

The applicable review time limits shall be as stated in Regulations 92 and 93 Public Contracts Regulations 2015.