Tenders
2009 archive
Invitation to Tender for The Urdd Coverage 2010 to 2012
26 November 2009
- Invitation to Tender for The Urdd Coverage 2010 to 2012 (PDF)
- Commissioning Agreement - Tender for The Urdd Coverage 2010 to 2012 (PDF)
An example of the commissioning agreement will be supplied by 10/12/09
Invitation for applications to provide a ‘Policy and Employment Support Service to Independent Producers’
13 November 2009
- Invitation for applications to provide a ‘Policy and Employment Support Service to Independent Producers’ (PDF)
- Agreement for the Provision of a Policy and Employment Support Service to Independent Producers (PDF)
Question and Response
Question 1:
The Invitation to Tender (paragraph 1.6.3) notes the requirement to present 'Written evidence of support for the applicant so that the body is able to be representative of all production companies'.
a) Do we need to present evidence of support from all of the production companies?
b) Does the written evidence need to say that they are happy that we represent that company?
Response 1:
a) S4C has noted clearly in paragraph 1.3 that it expects the successful applicant to 'provide a service that is representative for all production companies'. The assessment criteria for awarding the contract include an assessment of the ability of the proposed service to be a 'Representative service for the production companies commissioned by S4C'. Applicants are encouraged to try to ensure the support of all production companies.
b) Production companies need to confirm their support for the applicant, and note their satisfaction of the applicant's ability to meet their own and S4C's requirements for such a service.
Question 2:
We note that a total of 47 companies are currently listed as TAC members. Can you please provide an estimate of the number of independent production companies involved with the service and the total number of employees? Are you able to give an estimate of the number of contractors/contributors employed by the independent production companies?
Response 2:
The number of production companies that are commissioned by S4C annually is around 34. Some of these are group companies. The actual number of companies varies on an annual basis but the total has been relatively consistent since 2002. The companies supplying S4C with content can be members of TAC and/or PACT.
Additional data and information relating to the sector - the creative sector in Wales and the companies supplying S4C - is available via the following links. http://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/annualreport/acrobats/adroddiad-blynyddol-s4c-annual-report-2008.pdf http://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/corporate/pdf/s4c_economic_report_2007.pdf http://www.skillset.org/uk/cymru/industry_sectors/article_6852_1.asp
Question 3:
The tender does not touch on contentious matters. Can you please confirm whether the service will include legal representation?
Response 3:
It is intended that the service provides a pro active framework supporting and advising the sector in their activities - including setting up and supporting dispute resolution procedures. However it is not intended that any legal costs associated with such a procedure is included in this contract. Such costs would be a matter for each individual production company.
Question 4:
If a new applicant is awarded the tender, will they have any right in a new service to use materials currently provided by TAC under their current contract? If so, what arrangements will apply to enable a new contractor to access these materials.
Response 4:
The talent union agreements have recently been re negotiated to take into consideration the cessation of the analogue service in Wales. The new rights regimes will be reflected in these agreements.
If a new applicant is awarded the contract arrangements will need to be confirmed for the continuing administration of the contract with the unions. We would also consider the requirement for a transition period to facilitate the transfer of arrangements and responsibilities.
Question 5:
Can you please confirm that the production companies will be able to show support for more than one applicant?
Response 5:
It has already been noted that applicants should try and ensure the support of all production companies. We have not assumed that the support would be exclusive to one applicant. However, we have assumed that the companies would offer their support only in situations where they are satisfied of the applicant ability to meet their own and S4C's requirements for such a service.
Question 6:
For due diligence purposes, please give details of the present service provider's personnel, including number of staff, age, date of commencement of employment, number of years of continuous employment, salary and other benefits, notice periods and other relevant terms.
Response 6:
The current contract expires on the 31/12/2009. The service provision being tendered differs in scope, and the contract is considerably lower in value.
As noted in section 3.9 of the tender document, the question of whether TUPE is applicable or not is a legal matter, and applicants will have to consider and seek their own advice. For information only, we understand that a total of three full time members of staff are employed by the organisation.
All applicants should note all assumptions made in relation to costs of any staff transferring, so that S4C are clear about the basis of the bid. We retain the right to contact any applicant with questions that we may have associated with such information / notes.
Invitation to Tender: Cricket on S4C 2010-2011
11 November 2009
Invitation to Tender Cricket on S4C 2010-2011
Development Tender for Fiction
10 June 2009
Invitation to apply for Development Agreements for Fiction for S4C
Questions and Answers
Question:
Are you looking for ideas for sketch programmes as part of this tender?
Answer:
We are not inviting ideas for sketch programmes for this tender.
Question:
Has S4C got a set number of ideas or specific period in mind for the Development Tender for Fiction?
Answer:
The development period for ideas will be discussed with the successful tenderer and will depend on the number and duration of scripts, availability of the talent involved and S4C's transmission schedule.
Question:
Will S4C offer any other facilities (e.g. audience research or S4C staff time) in addition to the budget available?
Answer:
The commissioning team will be involved with defining and supporting the development of ideas. Any requests for research will be considered in line with S4C's requirements and the needs of the idea being developed.
Question:
Will the ideas being developed have to conform to S4C's Commissioning Process (i.e. applications via the electronic system)?
Answer:
The ideas developed under this contract will be commissioned in line with S4C's Commissioning Process – see S4C's Produceion Site for details.
Events from the Royal Welsh Showground
27 October 2009
Boomerang Plus has won in open competition the tender for events from the Royal Welsh Showground. The four-year contract includes broadcasts from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, Winter Fair and Smallholder and Garden Festival.
1 September 2009
Invitation to tender - Events from the Royal Welsh Showground
Development Tender for a Culture Service
10 July 2009
Invitation to tender for a Culture Service for S4C
Development Tender for History Series
10 June 2009
Invitation to apply for Development Agreements for History Series for S4C
Questions and Answers
Question:
Can you confirm the correct date and day of the closing date of the Development Tender for History Series?
Answer:
The day is Tuesday, not Thursday. With apologies, we would like to confirm that the correct closing date for Development Tenders for History Series is Tuesday 14 July.
Question:
Can you confirm that the aim is to develop three factual history ideas and what will be the term of the development contract.
Answer:
The aim is to develop up to three ideas. This does not necessarily mean three commissions. We will agree to a specific development period and schedule for the contract.
Question:
Will S4C offer any other facilities (e.g. audience research or S4C staff time) in addition to the budget available?
Answer:
The commissioning team will be involved with defining and supporting the development of ideas. Any requests for research will be considered in line with S4C's requirements and the needs of the idea being developed.
Question:
Will the ideas being developed have to conform to S4C's Commissioning Process (i.e. applications via the electronic system)?
Answer:
The ideas developed under this contract will be commissioned in line with S4C's Commissioning Process – see S4C's Produceion Site for details.
Tender to produce content and links for older children
21-Apr-2009
Details and Application Form to be considered for inclusion in the shortlist to be invited to tender to produce content and links for older children.
The closing date for application is Friday 22 May 2009. Any question relating to the application form should be received before Friday 15 May 2009.
Question 1
Can you confirm the exact term of the contract and when will you be expecting the service to start? The details document notes 2010 – 2012. Is this a full calendar year from January – December?
Answer 1
We anticipate that the service will start April 2010. The contract therefore will be for three years from that date.
Question 2
Will programmes that currently target 12-15 year olds be included within the tender?
Answer 2
The tender notes the following:- 'The service is intended to appeal to an age range from 7 years old to early teens. S4C will continue to be responsible for the scheduling of any content within the service and S4C will also continue to commission a restricted number of programmes which will be outside the scope of this tender process.'
Any programmes outside the scope of the service will be considered in the normal way by reference to the content strategy and considering their suitability for the schedule etc.
Question 3
Clause 7.5 of the tender document refers to the possibility that TUPE obligations may arise as a result of winning this tender. Is there a specific example in mind where this may arise?
Answer 3
As noted in the 'Background and Notes' document, S4C does not foresee that any of S4C's own employees will be the subject of any TUPE transfer.
The question of whether or not TUPE is applicable is a legal matter and the applicant will need to consider and seek their own advice on the issue. As S4C is not part of any TUPE Transfer, this will be a matter to be resolved between the outgoing contractor and the successful tenderer.
Question 4
What will be the relationship between the successful tenderer and the proposed High Definition children's service - specifically, are there any obligations regarding the use of programmes on the new service?
Answer 4
The scope and range of the contract being tendered is noted in section 1 of the document 'Background and Notes'.
It is presumed that the principles of the Code of Practice and Terms of Trade will apply to any programmes commissioned (i.e. the content that will exist independently from the links/service) under this contract. These enable S4C to broadcast the content on all its services. The copyright of the service links and brand will be assigned to S4C.
Question 5
The tender document notes that the value of the tender is £4million for 156 hours of original programming, which is an average of around £25,641 per hour. S4C's Annual Report notes that S4C commissioned 198 hours of original children's programming in 2007 at an average cost of £53,141.
Answer 5
The tendering process is for a contract that includes programmes and presentation links, higher in value and hours than any other single contract previously tendered by S4C. Hence, the nature, size and basis of this contract are very different to the basis of the 2007 commissions. These factors have been considered in determining the value of the contract and it is not appropriate to compare it with the cost per hour of children's programming in 2007.
The process of assessing the tenders will also take into consideration the framework in order to recognise opportunities for partnerships/co-production. This will include an assessment of the advantages in order to extend the value of the investment and maximise production values for S4C.
Question 6
How much budget/hours are left for individual commissions?
Answer 6
Children's programming commissioning is led by the Content Strategy (2009/13) and the Programme Policy Statement. We have already confirmed that S4C will continue to commission a limited number of programmes for this age, beyond the scope of the contract. The number of hours will depend on the precise conditions of the contract tendered and the specific requirements of the service for older children.
Question 7
Will the successful applicant be expected to bring co-production finance/partnerships to the table?
Answer 7
It is a matter for applicants to decide whether they wish to include any partnerships as part of their application. Applicants can provide further information in Section A (if a consortium is applying) and also in Section O 'Partnerships/Co-production opportunities' of the application form. This is also included as one element of the assessment criteria.
Invitation to Tender - Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol
Issued Friday 27 February 2009.
Deadline for receipt of applications: mid-day Tuesday 31 March 2009.
'Cymru 2009' Tender
S4C invites ideas to create a factual entertainment series that will enhance the schedule in this key and important year for the channel.
Question 1
The tender notes that the series will be broadcast in two blocks starting in June 09. How long will the period be between broadcasting the two blocks?
Answer 1
We foresee a minimum of 6 weeks.
Question 2
In 2.2 appendix c
Suggest a target viewing figure (thousands) for the series.
How many transmissions in one week are S4C envisaging?
Presumably the figure should be per episode not series?
Answer 2
What we are looking for here is your estimate as to the number of viewers that your series would attract. The number of transmissions in a week will be a matter for S4C but for the purpose of the submission assume that this type of programme could be broadcast up to three times. Please note your assumptions in the submission.
Events Tender 2009/10
S4C intend to expand the choice available to viewers in 2009 by broadcasting local events. The aim will be to reflect a range of Festivals, Shows and Championships throughout Wales.
Versioning Tender for Addicted to Money ("Arian mewn Argyfwng")
We invite applications to tender for the versioning of a co- production series on the World financial crisis. The aim is to produce and transmit the three one hour programmes in 2009.
- Versioning Tender for Addicted to Money ("Arian mewn Argyfwng")
- Tender for Addicted to Money' - Appendix C
- Addicted to Money ("Arian mewn Argyfwng") - Commissioning Agreement
Question 1
Where and when are you looking at the programmes being shot?
Answer 1
The series treatment supplied to interested companies gives a good idea of the sort of international locations foreseen. Any additional locations for the Welsh-language version of the series would hinge on the treatment a company offers as part of their tender application. Key production dates are being supplied to interested companies, along with the international treatment.
Question 2
When does S4C hope the Welsh version of the series will be edited and transmitted?
Answer 2
The Welsh version will be edited in the months of August to October. The transmission date has not yet been confirmed but we aim to broadcast by the end of 2009.
Question 3
According to Electric Pictures' schedule, copies of the scripts are already availabe. Is it possible to obtain copies?
Answer 3
Copies of the scripts are not yet available to S4C but the treatment is available to any applicants who request it.
Question 4
What facilities will be available to the Welsh production company being part of the co-production? E.g. Is there a need to budget for a camera/sound man at the international locations?
Answer 4
Electric Pictures will be expecting to shoot back-to-back footage, placing the Welsh presenter at the same locations as the international presenter but it will be the editorial treatment that dictates how much of this happens and how much original footage the successful company will shoot. The requirements of the Welsh version cuold mean shooting in extra locations at times or sometimes omitting some of the international ones. The exact arragements will be subject to discussions between the successful company and Electric Pictures. Electric already have experience of working with a Welsh presenter and of co-operating with Welsh versioning companies.
Question 5
What are the arrangements for post-production? E.g. will copies of all camera tapes be available to the Welsh production company in order to complete the post-production in Wales?
Answer 5
The producer Electric Pictures has agreed to provide onlined roughcuts from 15 August onwards in order to expedite the editing of the Welsh version. The final onlines of the international version will be available in September.
A Framework Agreement Tender for Dubbing Children's Programmes and Animation Series 2009/10
Applicants are invited to become part of a framework agreement of suppliers to dub pre-school and childrens animation series and programmes for S4C.
- A Framework Agreement Tender for Dubbing Children's Programmes and Animation Series 2009/10
- Agreement - Framework Agreement for the Provision of Dubbing Services
Question 1
Will the tapes have passed the Harding test, either by the original company or by S4C centrally, before being sent to the successful companies for re-voicing or should the companies who are applying for the work include the cost of testing each programme in their budgets?
Answer 1
Each programme will have already passed the Harding test, therefore it won't be necessary for companies to include the cost within their budgets.
Question 2
Is it the cost for the 3 Slici a Slac on the DVD that you require or the cost for a single programme or series. If it's for a series, how many episodes?
Answer 2
The tender document asks applicants to budgdet based on the programmes provided. Please note that although you are required to view three episodes the budget should be based on the whole series of 13 episodes x 10 minutes.