:Hire a bike sponsorship.

Prior information notice

Services

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)

Blackpool Council
1 Clifton Street
For the attention of: Carol Bracegirdle
FY1 1JD Blackpool
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 1253476182
E-mail:

Internet address(es):

General address of the contracting authority http://www.blackpool.gov.uk

Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)

I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.3)Main activity
General public services
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:
Hire a bike sponsorship.
II.2)Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance
Service category No 13: Advertising services
Blackpool.

NUTS code UKD42

II.3)Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:
Hire a bike sponsorship.

Lots

This contract is divided into lots: no
II.4)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79341000, 79341200

II.5)Scheduled date for start of award procedures
II.6)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
II.7)Additional information:
Blackpool hire-a-bike is the largest street based, fixed station bike hire scheme in the UK outside of London. Similar in design to London’s Barclays Bike Hire Scheme it has over 50 fixed on- street stations and 500 bikes available to the residents and visitors of the UK’s foremost seaside resort 24hrs a day 7 days a week.
Over 12m visitors came to Blackpool in 2010 to visit the many unique attractions including the pleasure beach, promenade, golden mile, zoo and parks, with bike stations positioned at every major attraction including exits to the major car parks. Awareness of the scheme is high amongst residents and visitors and 2011 has seen growth in bike rentals of over 600 % from 2010, with an estimated 80 000 miles total mileage to date. The scheme is promoted widely and is a major part of cycling associated events such as the illuminations ride-the-lights, Tour of Britain, and Skyrides. Through the branding and information on the stations and bikes the scheme creates a very large footprint in a very busy environment and as such is a unique sponsorship opportunity.
The network of stations provides 24hr access to bikes for leisure, commuting and utility cycling. It improves the health of its members, reduces the impact of motorised vehicles in the busy town, and has almost universal positive reception from residents and local press. The scheme is closely associated with VisitBlackpool, the NHS and Blackpool Council and is strongly supported by Blackpool Council members.
Operated by Hourbike Ltd, a team of locally employed and trained mechanics ensure ongoing serviceability of the bikes and stations, and provides customer facing sales and support to customers on the street. An interactive voice response system provides 24hr ticket fulfilment and a website provides online customer information and advance sales.

The scheme is seeking sponsorship to ensure ongoing sustainability and growth of the project. Every aspect of the scheme branding, name, station and bike signage, materials and tariff are open to negotiation as part of the package. A single multi year sponsorship arrangement is preferred but all options will be considered. A real time map of the extent of the station locations can be found at www.hourbike.com/blackpool.

The purpose of this notice is to invite interested parties to email (preferred option) or write to the Authority to express an interest to participate in this dialogue. Applications to participate should be received no later than 7.10.2011.
Participation (or non-participation) will confer no advantage or disadvantage should the Authority commence a formal procurement process at some future date.

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:
VI.3)Information on general regulatory framework
VI.4)Date of dispatch of this notice:
28.9.2011