II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD3
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The specific responsibilities of the successful marketing services provider must include, but will not be limited to the responsibilities outlined below:
(a) brand strategy and development
Specifically, the agency will be required to:
• build on and make proposals for improving the existing visual identity, including development of brand, assets and tone of voice,
• refer to, and maintain consistent levels of quality when implementing/using, the existing brand guidelines across all design and creative activity,
• proactively seek to develop brand profile and positioning (nationally, and within Greater Manchester/the North West), amongst identified stakeholders including targeted B2B and public sector markets,
• develop core messaging that reflects the strategy and resonates with key targeted B2B groups and identified stakeholders nationally, and within Greater Manchester/the North West,
• provide a copywriting service where it relates to brand strategy or design services,
• delivery, execution and evaluation of specified projects,
• ongoing service provision for brand strategy and development, as needed;
(b) design services:
Specifically, the agency will be required to:
• provide design services from conceptual work through to artworking of existing and new templates, for use both digitally and in print,
• key materials will include, brand guidelines, brochureware, leaflets, adverts, digital assets, direct mail, electronic direct mail, reports, whitepapers, infographics, storyboards, surveys, exhibition stand artwork, merchandise artwork and presentation/pitch decks,
• design a wide variety of digitally branded assets for online publications and for use on social media (see Digital marketing below),
• create concepts and designs for end-to-end campaigns (campaign design styling and brand guidelines), including all materials listed above;
(c) digital marketing services
Digital marketing may include, either individually or in combination:
• digital strategy support,
• social media management, both paid-for and organic,
• pay Per Click (PPC) advertising,
• content marketing (including copywriting, if required),
• email marketing,
• search Engine Optimisation (SEO),
• analytics, including online segmentation,
• campaign evaluation,
• the ability to provide a social listening/monitoring service or tool would also be beneficial but is not essential;
(d) campaign planning, development and execution
Specifically, the agency will be required to:
• attend relevant internal and external meetings, including although not limited to relevant partners,
• deliver creative, original and effective marketing campaigns,
• undertake campaign planning,
• undertake customer journey mapping (including monitoring relevant trends),
• undertake creative development, both online and offline,
• create content (providing a copywriting service or utilising copy provided by the Hub or a third party, as directed),
• end-to-end.
It is estimated that for the core element of the contract the approximate spend per year will be in the region of GBP 100 000 (excluding VAT) although the actual spend could be considerably less.
Skills for Growth is a 2-year contract and we anticipate a spend of GBP 160 000 over the 2 years, with a maximum spend of GBP 200 000 across that timeframe.
The maximum spend on this contract will not exceed GBP 650 000 (excluding VAT).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
20/12/2020
End:
19/12/2023
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract period will be from the award date for a period of 1 year, with an option, to be exercised at GM Business Support Ltd sole discretion for two additional period of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance reviews.
Please be aware that the current ERDF funding ends on the 31 December 2021.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
Yes
II.2.14) Additional information
GC Business Growth Hub is the trading name of GM Business Support Ltd (GMBS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Growth Company Ltd. GC Business Growth Hub helps ambitious business people to realise their growth potential by offering access to a range of practical services, from assessing growth options to unlocking finance or accessing experienced business mentors.