Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Historic Environment Scotland
Longmore House, Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH
Contact
Catherine McNair
Telephone
+44 1316688866
Fax
+44 1316688877
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://historicenvironment.scot
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00164
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Built Environment, Conservation and Tourism
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Costumed Performers - Stirling Castle - HES/C/4167
Reference number
HES/C/4167
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The contract is for costumed interpretation at Stirling Castle. The costumed interpretation will be delivered using a variety of methods in a flexible approach to respond to visitor needs. Interpretation will be of the courtly suite of buildings (Chapel Royal, Great Hall and Palace), presenting the dramatic and complex story of the Royal Stewart Court and that of life in the castle in the mid sixteenth century. Stirling Castle is a 5-star attraction and welcomed 585,121 visitors in 2019/2020. It is also Historic Environment Scotland’s second most visited site for learning, with an active program of activities and projects which attracted around 20,000 education visits in 2019/2020. Whilst the buildings are undoubtedly attractions, they also have fascinating human stories to tell. The interpretations offer at Stirling provides a variety of visitor experiences appealing to the broadest possible audiences and age-ranges using a variety of methods. It is a layered and integrated visitor offer.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
To achieve a cohesive and comprehensible visitor experience of the whole Castle, the costume interpretation team will be required to ensure that’s its delivery is fully integrated with the rest of the interpretive offer. The supplier will be required to work closely with the Visitor Operations team to create a flexible daily activity program (for more details see 2.5) which responds to changing visitor numbers and patterns throughout the year.
Interpreters working on site will be required to assist with visitor management across the site, to have a good knowledge of all elements of the visitor experience, castle facilities and daily program to ensure that they can answer queries and assist visitors with orientation and in creating their personal experience of the Castle.
Objectives – The objectives for the costumed interpretation are as follows:
-To create a high-quality experience for visitors
-To engage with visitors in a lively, entertaining, and informative way
-Be appropriate to the presented interiors of the Royal Palace to enhance and retain the historic sense of place.
-To bring life to the buildings of the Royal Court to dramatic effect, giving them atmosphere and conveying a sense of how they would have been used.
-To increase visitors understanding and appreciation of the buildings, people, and society of the Royal Court.
-To involve visitors and encourage their participation in learning about the past.
-To introduce real characters from the Royal Court
-To meet the needs of differing audiences.
-To be as accessible as possible, provide a hierarchy of information, which gives varying levels of detail about the relevant themes and stories to enable visitors to create their own visitor experience.
-To integrate the costumed team with the rest of the visitor experience team at Stirling Castle and enable them to work seamlessly and harmoniously with the visitor operations and monument conservation teams at the site.
-To engage inclusively and empathetically with the castle’s diverse audiences.
Scope of Work
-To develop and present persona for sixteenth-century characters from the Scottish Royal Court and household, by using these characters and wearing authentic costume from the period, provide a world class visitor experience for visitors to Stirling Castle.
-To research, develop and script presentations, interpretive vignette outlines and interpretive conversation briefs.
-To carefully manage delivery to meet audience preferences, e.g. short, entertaining and informative presentations, not lengthy or didactic ones.
-To operate a program of monitoring and evaluation of all interpretive material and delivery to ensure both authenticity and a consistent high quality of visitor experience.
-To communicate effectively with the Contract Manager through regular in person meetings and email.
-To be responsible for the correct use, wear and care of period costume, including their maintenance.
-To fully use costume and props as interpretive tools to engage with visitors.
-To support the on-site Learning Officer to provide engaging experiences for all ages. This will include informal encounters with education groups on self-led visits and working with the Learning Officer to input specific activities and projects to support a wide range of subjects and learning needs.
-To plan, develop and deliver special events and performances for coach parties, functions and corporate entertainments as required.
-To work in conjunction with the Interpretation Unit to devise and deliver major events at Stirling Castle as required.
-To exercise a general duty of care for visitors, staff, sites and to ensure that all the Health and Safety requirements of current policies, legislation and guidelines are followed.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
After the initial contract period of 2 years, there will be an option to extend the contract by a further 6 years which would be reviewed annually.
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
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
HES use Scotbis, an independent provider of business credit reports, to assess the financial standing of tenderers. The overall aim of this assessment is to ensure, as far as possible, that any potential Supplier will not have financial difficulties that endanger their ability to perform the Contract. If financial information cannot be gained from that source Historic Environment Scotland will request that you provide full audited accounts for the last full financial year. If Suppliers cannot provide any of the assurances as detailed above, and it is determined by HES that your financial strength is not adequate, then your company may not pass the financial evaluation. If you can provide the assurances as detailed above, HES may explore these options with you before determining whether your company can be taken forward in this procurement exercise. Bank details may also be sought to support the above.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Employers (compulsory) Liability Insurance - GDP 10 million
- Public Liability Insurance - GDP 10 million
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
21 November 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
21 November 2022
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: If all extensions are used, the contract will be up renewal in 2031
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
Please note that bidders must identify any clauses in the terms and conditions or specification that may need further discussion prior to contract award when submitting your tender. HES will not sign the successful bidder's agreement or negotiate at point of award or post award.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=710684.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
We encourage the supplier to think about any community benefits that they could bring during the lifetime of this contract. This could include apprenticeships, work placements or local community projects.
(SC Ref:710684)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=710684
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LA
Country
United Kingdom