Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Broadcasting House, Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA
UK
Telephone: +44 1234567890
E-mail: joseph.thompson@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.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Broadcasting
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Local Democracy Reporting Service - 2025 Supplier Applications
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79620000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
A key component of the BBC’s public purpose mission is to ensure that audiences can engage fully with major local issues, essential to democracy, keeping audiences informed and holding local authority to account. The BBC works with the local news industry to improve the provision of local journalism and has now completed a competitive procurement for the reselection of 'Suppliers' for the Local Democracy Reporting Service across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, to deliver the recruitment of 165 journalists, employed by local news providers, across 118 Contract Areas.
This notice outlines the results of the tender process for the 2025 Supplier Applications following the tender which commenced in December 2024.
In regards to total value of the contracts awarded, the level of funding the BBC provides in relation to each Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) (as stated in the ITT) is £40,790 per LDR (non-London) and £43,190 per LDR (London) per annum with a 2% inflationary increase per annum in year 2 onwards. The breakdown of the 165 LDRs allocated across each contract area was stated in the tender documents.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
32 500 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1 to 118
II.2.1) Title
Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79620000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Delivery
/ Weighting: 35%
Quality criterion: Holding Power to Account
/ Weighting: 20%
Quality criterion: Relationships
/ Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion: Audience and Engagemnet
/ Weighting: 7.5%
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Multimedia Content
/ Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion: Diversity
/ Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion: Sustainability
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Cost criterion: Cost
/ Weighting: 0
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The initial contract term will run for a period of 30 months. Contracts may be extended for up to an additional 30 months to 30th June 2030.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2024/S 000-038797
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 91, 95, 97, 98
Contract No: S01, S05, S07, S08
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 6
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
DC Thomson & Co Ltd
Dundee
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 5, 9, 13, 45
Contract No: E05, E09, E13, E45
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 7
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Iliffe Media Group
Rochester
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1, 4, 15, 21, 41, 44, 61, 62, 63, 80, 82, 84, 85, 88, 94, 102
Contract No: E01, E04, E15, E21, E41, E44, E61, E62, E63, N01, N03, N05, N06, N09, S04, S12
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 26
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
National World Publishing Ltd
Leeds
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 3, 7, 8, 18, 20, 22-24, 26, 34, 35, 37, 40, 42, 51, 52, 56, 57, 60, 65, 86, 89, 99, 110, 112, 118
Contract No: E(3,7,8,18,20,22, 23, 24, 26, 34, 35, 37, 40, 42, 51, 52, 56, 57, 60, 65), N (7, 10), S9, W(3,5,11)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 51
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Newsquest Media Group Ltd
Newport
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2,6,10,11,14,16,19,25,27,29,30,31,32,33,39,46,47,48,49,50,53,54,55,58,64,66,67
Contract No: E(2,6,10,11,14,16,19,25,27,29,30,31,32,33,39,46,47,48,49,50,53,54,55,58,64,66,67)
Title: Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 54
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Reach Shared Services Ltd
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 68, 69, 71, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 87, 90
Contract No: L(1,2,4,5,8,9,10,11,12), N(2,4,8,11)
Title: Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 32
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Reach Shared Services Ltd
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 113, 114, 115
Contract No: S(10,11,13,14,15,16,17), W(1,2,4,6,7,8)
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 25
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Reach Shared Services Ltd
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 70, 73, 74
Contract No: L03, L06, L07
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 11
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Social Spider CiC
London
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 92, 93
Contract No: S02, S03
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Highland News and Media Ltd
Elgin
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 12
Contract No: E12
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The University of Northampton Enterprises Ltd
Northampton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 28
Contract No: E28
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Radio Manx Ltd
Douglas
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 36
Contract No: E36
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Newbury News & Media Ltd
Newbury
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 38
Contract No: E38
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Baylis Community Media CiC
Maidenhead
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 43
Contract No: E43
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Brighton and Hove News Ltd
Brighton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 59
Contract No: E59
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
No
V.1 Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
No tenders or requests to participate were received or all were rejected
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 96
Contract No: S06
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Shetland News Online Ltd
Shetland
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 116
Contract No: W09
Title: Local Democracy Reporting Services 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Caerphilly Media Ltd
Caerphilly
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 117
Contract No: W10
Title: Local Democracry Reporting Service 2025 Supplier Applications
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/04/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Tindle Newspapers Ltd
Farnham
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
In the case of technology requirements, the BBC may involve its technology partner (Atos IT Solutions and Services Limited) to assist in the scoping and drafting of invitations to tender and/or the evaluation of tenders. However, the final decision as to which is the most economically advantageous (by reference to the award criteria) will be made by the BBC. The awarding authority reserves the right not to award a contract and to annul the procurement process at any stage. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in sterling and all payments will be made in sterling. The contract shall be subject to English law. The awarding authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or any tender and reserves the right to accept part of a tender unless the tenderer expressly stipulates otherwise in the tender document.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Business and Property Courts of England and Wales – TCC
Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1NL
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The applicable review time limits shall be as stated in Regulations 92 and 93 Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
07/05/2025