Soft Market Testing For Communications, PR and Digital Printing Services
Prior information notice
Services
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
North Lincolnshire Borough Council
Civic Centre, Ashby Road
Contact point(s): via YORtender - www.yortender.co.uk
DN16 1AB Scunthorpe
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 1724296301
E-mail:
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: www.northlincs.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/procurement
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local agency/office
I.3)Main activity
General public services
Public order and safety
Environment
Economic and financial affairs
Health
Housing and community amenities
Social protection
Recreation, culture and religion
Education
Public order and safety
Environment
Economic and financial affairs
Health
Housing and community amenities
Social protection
Recreation, culture and religion
Education
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II.B: Object of the contract (Supplies or services)
II.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Soft Market Testing For Communications, PR and Digital Printing Services
II.2)Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance
Service category No 27: Other services
NUTS code UKE13
II.3)Information on framework agreement
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement: no
II.4)Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:
North Lincolnshire Council is undertaking a soft market testing exercise to help it determine the best way to deliver its communications, PR and digital printing service requirements and responsibilities, and improve value for money and as such is inviting interested parties to participate in a soft market testing exercise.
The council is developing a continuous improvement plan to build on its existing strong base of service delivery. As part of this process it is interested in entering into dialogue with market specialists to explore, but not limited to:
- The potential for more efficient and effective planning, co-ordination and delivery of communications activities within and throughout the council. In essence strategically we need to become more pro-active and less re-active.
- Ways in which the council can make better use of existing and emerging channels and communications media to enhance the promotion, both regionally and nationally of the council's priorities and improve dialogue with its many publics. In essence we need to better join up the council's many communication channels.
- Opportunities for more efficient use of current resources and expertise in order to optimise outcomes from communications activity. In particular we would like to explore the benefits of working with a partner or other innovative model to provide additional skills and capacity to support our in-house team
- Other opportunities for service improvement that the market identifies through the soft market testing process
The process will provide external perspectives, advice and challenge to enable the council to better understand and assess relevant market interest and capability for supporting these improvement themes. It will also help the council to determine appropriate methods for supporting and enhancing delivery of its communications priorities.
It is anticipated that the initial soft market testing exercise will conclude with a final report, prepared by the council. Further information is available from the YORtender portal (www.yortender.co.uk) which includes a market position statement and request for information questionnaire. Any interviews will be held week commencing 23.9.2013. The council reserves the right to select individual organisations for interview and participation in this process will not guarantee any inclusion in potential future procurement processes.
Deadline for the submission of responses and completed request for information questionnaires is 12noon 11.9.2013 via YORtender (www.yortender.co.uk) Respondents should express interest based on the themes outlined above.
The council is developing a continuous improvement plan to build on its existing strong base of service delivery. As part of this process it is interested in entering into dialogue with market specialists to explore, but not limited to:
- The potential for more efficient and effective planning, co-ordination and delivery of communications activities within and throughout the council. In essence strategically we need to become more pro-active and less re-active.
- Ways in which the council can make better use of existing and emerging channels and communications media to enhance the promotion, both regionally and nationally of the council's priorities and improve dialogue with its many publics. In essence we need to better join up the council's many communication channels.
- Opportunities for more efficient use of current resources and expertise in order to optimise outcomes from communications activity. In particular we would like to explore the benefits of working with a partner or other innovative model to provide additional skills and capacity to support our in-house team
- Other opportunities for service improvement that the market identifies through the soft market testing process
The process will provide external perspectives, advice and challenge to enable the council to better understand and assess relevant market interest and capability for supporting these improvement themes. It will also help the council to determine appropriate methods for supporting and enhancing delivery of its communications priorities.
It is anticipated that the initial soft market testing exercise will conclude with a final report, prepared by the council. Further information is available from the YORtender portal (www.yortender.co.uk) which includes a market position statement and request for information questionnaire. Any interviews will be held week commencing 23.9.2013. The council reserves the right to select individual organisations for interview and participation in this process will not guarantee any inclusion in potential future procurement processes.
Deadline for the submission of responses and completed request for information questionnaires is 12noon 11.9.2013 via YORtender (www.yortender.co.uk) Respondents should express interest based on the themes outlined above.
II.5)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
79416000, 79416100, 79416200, 79340000, 79342000, 79811000, 22120000, 72413000, 92100000, 92111220, 92111200, 92111260, 79822500
II.6)Scheduled date for start of award procedures
1.10.2013
II.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): no
II.8)Additional information:
The deadline for the submission of 'request for information questionnaires' is 12noon 11.9.2013 via https://www.yortender.co.uk
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Information about reserved contracts
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.2)Additional information:
Please note this is not a formal request for quotation or formal tender process and therefore North Lincolnshire Council is not seeking prices or formal offers at this stage. The council reserves the right to select individual organisations for interview. Participation in this process will not guarantee any inclusion in potential future procurement processes.
VI.3)Information on general regulatory framework
VI.4)Date of dispatch of this notice:
22.8.2013