Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Broadcasting House, Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA
UK
Contact person: Robert Amil
Telephone: +44 1234567890
E-mail: robert.amil@bbc.co.uk
Fax: +44 1234567890
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/
Address of the buyer profile: https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Media and Broadcasting
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
World Service Global Business to Business (B2B) Satellite Distribution - Request for Information (RFI)
Reference number: PROC 2023 40
II.1.2) Main CPV code
64214100
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
BBC World Service (WS) broadcasts radio and television news services in 42 languages to a global audience. These broadcasts cover most of the populated world and have an estimated audience reach of 365 million people per week.
Currently the core distribution of WS live content to locations worldwide is done via a number of satellites using the WS Satellite Media Distribution System (SMDS). These locations consist of transmitter sites and partners that enable the BBC to reach its global audience via shortwave, local FM, or countrywide networks. A significant part of BBC World Service’s business is provision of content to other broadcasters through partnership arrangements.
The diversity of locations has been serviced by a satellite-based distribution using industry standard technology.
The existing satellite-based distribution was commissioned in 2013 and consists of two serviced footprints, one for Europe and the other for the Rest of the World (RoW).
The BBC would welcome responses to this request for information (RFI) in order to inform our thinking prior to any potential procurement exercise.
The purpose of this notice is to invite interested parties to complete a questionnaire which will allow the BBC to gain an understanding of:
• Current market capability and capacity to provide all or part of the World Service Global B2B satellite distribution services, including availability, service management and cost.
• IP transport solutions available for content delivery and the feasibility of migrating to a Hybrid IP/Satellite operating model.
• The capability of a hybrid IP/Satellite operating model to distribute World Service content including availability, service management and cost.
• An understanding of whether a hybrid IP/Satellite operating model would result in a reduced TCO.
Please note this invitation has been issued purely as an information seeking exercise and is not part of any formal procurement process.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
32534000
34712200
64228100
64228200
72400000
92220000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
BBC World Service (WS) broadcasts radio and television news services in 42 languages to a global audience. These broadcasts cover most of the populated world and have an estimated audience reach of 365 million people per week.
Currently the core distribution of WS live content to locations worldwide is done via a number of satellites using the WS Satellite Media Distribution System (SMDS). These locations consist of transmitter sites and partners that enable the BBC to reach its global audience via shortwave, local FM, or countrywide networks. A significant part of BBC World Service’s business is provision of content to other broadcasters through partnership arrangements.
The diversity of locations has been serviced by a satellite-based distribution using industry standard technology.
The existing satellite-based distribution was commissioned in 2013 and consists of two serviced footprints, one for Europe and the other for the Rest of the World (RoW).
The BBC would welcome responses to this request for information (RFI) in order to inform our thinking prior to any potential procurement exercise.
The purpose of this notice is to invite interested parties to complete a questionnaire which will allow the BBC to gain an understanding of:
• Current market capability and capacity to provide all or part of the World Service Global B2B satellite distribution services, including availability, service management and cost.
• IP transport solutions available for content delivery and the feasibility of migrating to a Hybrid IP/Satellite operating model.
• The capability of a hybrid IP/Satellite operating model to distribute World Service content including availability, service management and cost.
• An understanding of whether a hybrid IP/Satellite operating model would result in a reduced TCO.
Please note this invitation has been issued purely as an information seeking exercise and is not part of any formal procurement process.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
06/06/2023
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Please register your interest in and respond to this opportunity by:
a) Registering on the Jaggaer e-tendering portal: https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk
b) Log in and click the 'PQQs Open to all Suppliers' link. (Any RFI will appear as a PQQ).
c) Express an interest in this RFI and access the RFI documents
d) Complete and submit the RFI questionnaire by the stated closing date
Responses via the Jaggaer e-tendering portal are invited for submission by no later than 30th June 2023 at 1300.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
06/06/2023