Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2016-09-03
Buyer: The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
Country: UK
Region: UNITED KINGDOM
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 22100000 | 22312000 | 22315000 | 22462000 | 30213100
Estimated value: 11400000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2016-09-30
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Crown Commercial Service as the Contracting Authority is putting in place a Framework Agreement for use by UK public sector bodies identified at VI.3) (and any future successors to these organisations).
The Communication Services Framework will appoint agencies capable of providing discrete communication services and products. These could be stand alone projects, regional campaigns or work subcontracted to provide services to support wider campaign delivery. This framework is sub-divided into 11 Lots.
The Framework duration is initially for two (2) years with the option to extend by a further one (1) year plus one (1) further year period(s). Any extension period will be at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority.
Agencies and Specialists shall offer new and innovative communications ideas and consultancy on subjects including (but not limited to) thought leadership, behavioural science and neuroscience.
The agency shall deliver a wide range of events services from strategic and tactical event programme management to supply of event equipment. Event requirements may be based in international locations.
The agency shall translate communications strategy into actionable, effective, cost efficient and measurable communications channel plans. This may be across all relevant channels, including online, offline, owned and earned, as well as paid-for media.
The agency shall be capable of providing audience specific or regional public relations services and products either as a sole service element or bringing together different elements into one sustained campaigning approach. The services may be required on a regional or specialist basis and range from development of public relations themes and tactics to reputation management. In this Lot agencies can bid for ‘Specialist’ or ‘Regional’ or both.
The agency shall produce concepts and communications propositions across all channel options, developing and testing new communications ideas prior to production. The services may include development of creative propositions across both art and copy.
The agency shall provide a full design service across all types of project. The services may include elements of creative design and management, branding requirements and design concepts suitable across all media channels.
The agency shall provide digital marketing services and products both as sole services/products and to integrate with wider campaigns. In addition to the creation of specific products, the agency shall be capable of managing all aspects of production for all digital platforms. This may include web design, development and build.
The agency shall provide data services. This may include data strategy development, database development, database management and analytics/modelling.
The agency shall provide development and production services on a stand-alone basis. The production requirements may include moving picture and video, sound — including radio fillers, out-of-home advertising and stock imagery.
The agency shall provide a wide range of editorial services across multiple media; this may include copy writing for advertising, copy production/checking for leaflets and technical writing for specialist audiences.
The agency shall deliver communications campaigns overseas, using a multi-channel approach. This may include delivering in major economic markets and areas where the media landscape is limited or non-existent.
Crown Commercial Service is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the supply of Communication Services.

Eligibility requirements: Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). This procurement will be managed electronically via the Crown Commercial Service's Emptoris System. To participate in this procurement, participants must first be registered on the Emptoris System. If you have not yet registered on the Emptoris System, this can be done online at https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link ‘Register for CCS eSourcing’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esourcing-tool-guidance-for-suppliers Once you have registered on the Emptoris System, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing ExpressionOfInterest@crowncommercial.gov.uk Your email must clearly state: the name and reference for the procurement you wish to register for; the name of the registered supplier; and the name and contact details for the registered individual sending the email. Crown Commercial Service will process the email and then enable the supplier to access the procurement online via the Emptoris System. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done. As a user of the Emptoris System you will have access to the Emptoris messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these messages on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information. For technical assistance on use of the Emptoris System please contact Crown Commercial Service Support Desk email: eEnablement@crowncommercial.gov.uk A full copy of the ITT documentation for this procurement will be available for full, unrestricted and direct acess, free of charge on the CCS website http://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/procurement-pipeline Responses must be published by the date in IV.3.4). Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1). The Contracting Authority may take into account a Potential Agency financial risk report and may take into account any of the following information: (a) a statement of your turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading; or (b) a statement of your cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; and/or (c) an alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (for example, this might include a forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts, or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status etc.). As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1) The Contracting Authority may have regard to any of the following means in its assessment: (a) 2 Individual contract examples comparable to the requirement of the applicable Lot; and (b) Evidence within these contracts of a sufficient level of experience to carry out the requirement, either within your organisation; Consortium and/or named Sub-Contractors (where applicable). (c) The contract examples can be from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Potential Agencies must hold a valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate, or conformity with the ISO27001 standard where the Cyber Essentials Plus requirements have been included in the scope of that standard or agreed equivalent. Potential Agencies must provide this assurance prior to the award of the first Call-Off Contract. Potential Agencies must provide assurance, prior to the Framework award, that they have appropriate insurance in place, as specified in the ITT.
Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1). The Contracting Authority may take into account a Potential Agency financial risk report and may take into account any of the following information: (a) a statement of your turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading; or (b) a statement of your cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; and/or (c) an alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (for example, this might include a forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts, or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status etc.). As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1). The Contracting Authority may take into account a Potential Agency financial risk report and may take into account any of the following information: (a) a statement of your turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading; or (b) a statement of your cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; and/or (c) an alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (for example, this might include a forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts, or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status etc.).
As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1) The Contracting Authority may have regard to any of the following means in its assessment: (a) 2 Individual contract examples comparable to the requirement of the applicable Lot; and (b) Evidence within these contracts of a sufficient level of experience to carry out the requirement, either within your organisation; Consortium and/or named Sub-Contractors (where applicable). (c) The contract examples can be from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Potential Agencies must hold a valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate, or conformity with the ISO27001 standard where the Cyber Essentials Plus requirements have been included in the scope of that standard or agreed equivalent. Potential Agencies must provide this assurance prior to the award of the first Call-Off Contract. Potential Agencies must provide assurance, prior to the Framework award, that they have appropriate insurance in place, as specified in the ITT.
Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1) The Contracting Authority may have regard to any of the following means in its assessment: (a) 2 Individual contract examples comparable to the requirement of the applicable Lot; and (b) Evidence within these contracts of a sufficient level of experience to carry out the requirement, either within your organisation; Consortium and/or named Sub-Contractors (where applicable). (c) The contract examples can be from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed.
As stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Potential Agencies must hold a valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate, or conformity with the ISO27001 standard where the Cyber Essentials Plus requirements have been included in the scope of that standard or agreed equivalent. Potential Agencies must provide this assurance prior to the award of the first Call-Off Contract. Potential Agencies must provide assurance, prior to the Framework award, that they have appropriate insurance in place, as specified in the ITT.