commissioning brief -...
TRANSCRIPT
Last updated 16/07/18 LL
RADIO COMMISSIONING FRAMEWORK
Commissioning Brief
Commissioning Brief No: 47110, Round 3, 2019/20
GARDENERS’ QUESTION TIME
from April 2019 to March 2020 with option to renew for up to two additional years
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CONTENTS
SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY........................................................................... 3 SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS ................................................................. 7
1. TIMETABLE .......................................................................................................... 7
2. THE FOUR STAGES ............................................................................................... 8
3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ....................................................................................... 9
4. EVALUATION TEAM ............................................................................................. 9
SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS ...................................................................................... 10 1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU ............................................................................. 10
2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US ............................................................................. 11
3. POINTS TO NOTE ............................................................................................... 12
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SECTION A: EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITY
470Commissioning Brief Gardeners’ Question Time
Main commissioning contact Denis Nowlan
Duration 42’
Number of programmes available Approx. 48 original editions and 4 compilation editions
Contract Period April 2019 – March 2020 with an option to renew for a further one or two years
Guide price per original edition £7600 This price must also cover the cost of delivering 4 compilation editions in the year.
Commissioning Year 2019-20
Commissioning Round 3
Production Location Not specified
Please note
If you are on the Radio & Music supplier database, there is no requirement to complete an eligibility form.
There is no Short Proposal stage.
Full Proposals must be submitted via Proteus before the deadline at noon on Tuesday 18 September.
They should be entered under Radio 4 Round 3 2019-2020.
They should be no longer than six sides of A4, in the full synopsis section of the Proteus submission form.
We advise you to submit Proposals in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network problems. No late submissions will be accepted.
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About Radio 4 Radio 4 is unique in the breadth and quality of its informative, educational and entertaining programming. Every day, on air and online, Radio 4 has more original content than any other broadcaster in the world. Its authoritative news and current affairs journalism is complemented by programmes exploring many areas, including science, arts, history, religion, ideas, drama and comedy, offered through regular strands, one-off programmes and special seasons. The average age of its 11 million plus audience is 56; the station needs constantly to evolve and to attract a new generation of ‘replenisher’ listeners. It also seeks to build its appeal to audiences beyond the south east of England and among ethnic minorities. Radio 4 also has an avid audience online. In each month of Q1 2018 there were 33.6 million requests to stream Radio 4 content on iPlayer Radio (UK only); there were 13.5 million UK downloads; and an additional 8.8 million downloads ex-UK. You can read the latest Radio 4 RAJAR report here. Specific audience packs relating to this commission will be available on the Radio 4 commissioning site soon after publication of this brief.
About this commission Radio 4 is looking for a single supplier to deliver this programme. Gardeners’ Question Time – popularly referred to as GQT – is one of Radio 4’s longest running and best loved programmes. First broadcast in 1947, it has answered the questions of generations of gardeners and been broadcast from venues as diverse as a train on the Settle to Carlisle line and 10 Downing Street. The essential format is simple. A chaired panel of experts answers questions, of which they do not have prior notice, posed by members of a live audience. The programme is recorded as an outside broadcast at venues throughout the UK. The live audience is often composed of members of gardening clubs but not exclusively so. A small number of shows are recorded without a live audience as correspondence programmes, in which panellists respond to questions sent in. In this commission, in order to reduce costs, we will look for four editions each year to be compilation programmes, composed of questions from the GQT archive. GQT must appeal to a large, general audience ranging from the passionate horticulturalist to the tower block dweller with a window box. It must be scientifically authoritative and also great fun. Presenters The chairs of GQT are Eric Robson and Peter Gibbs. They will continue with the programme in the next tender period. Eric Robson, however, has announced his intention to step down from the chair in 2019, so any bid must include proposals for a successor.
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No approach to the chairs or their agents should be made by suppliers without first
consulting Denis Nowlan at Radio 4 ([email protected]; mob: 07802 222157). The
chairs will be willing to have a phone conversation of up to 15 minutes to discuss the general
requirements of the programme, the outline of your proposal and the feasibility of elements
of your ideas. They remain impartial and will not endorse a particular supplier or express an
opinion on the quality of the ideas discussed. They will not be part of the decision-making
process for the commission.
Tenders should meet the following challenges
Representing the fullest possible range of horticultural activity in the UK.
Connecting with communities throughout the UK.
Keeping the programme fresh, diverting and innovative, while remaining true to its essential purpose and format.
Appealing to the broadest range of Radio 4 listeners, including strategies to engage younger and more diverse audiences.
Editorial requirements
An informed passion for the subject.
Understanding of the place of GQT in the Radio 4 and wider media landscape.
Fresh approaches to a familiar format, while remaining true to its core values.
Proposals for a successor to Eric Robson as chair.
Strategies to engage younger and more diverse audiences.
Ideas about digital assets, deliverable within the guide price, aimed at the next generation of listeners.
Understanding of BBC Editorial Guidelines and how they would impinge on your management of the strand.
Ideas for the commercial exploitation of the programme brand, compatible with the public service values of GQT and BBC Radio 4.
Production requirements
Excellent record in factual radio production at national level. Please include details of named producers and, if they are not already part of the company or department, evidence that they are prepared to be included in such a tender and, if successful, to commit themselves to the programme. We recognise that some individuals may appear on more than one tender.
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Appropriate staff, in the core team, to meet the demanding executive production and compliance needs of the programme.
Extensive experience of outside broadcasts with audiences.
Experience of delivering regular, high profile output.
Capacity to sustain a long-running strand.
Access to reliable, up to date OB facilities.
High level of business competency.
Awareness of safety risks associated with this commission and policy for managing them.
Detailed budget, working to the guide price, to include the cost of 4 compilation editions. Digital requirements In addition to the linear radio programme, the following are required:
Creation and publication of podcast.
One image per episode.
Contact details of any organisations featured.
Text relating to any venue, event or call to action.
These, and any other digital enhancements which you may wish to propose, must be covered within the stated guide price.
Delivery requirements
The contract will be offered as a fixed price deal and the BBC will assume that any elements included in proposals can be successfully delivered within the guide price given.
You are responsible for any overspend and entitled to keep any underspend.
The price includes fees to presenters, who are contracted by the producer, not Radio 4.
Production teams will be expected to adhere to all relevant editorial, copyright and technical guidelines in place.
They will be expected to deliver all necessary production related paperwork, e.g. compliance forms and programme descriptions, in a timely fashion.
We expect these programmes will be pre-recorded.
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SECTION B: THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS
1. TIMETABLE
The commissioning process consists of four stages.
Stage Timings Activities
Launch Early July Commissioning brief published.
Round opens in Proteus.
1. Full Proposal Monday 03 – Monday 17 September
Opportunity to discuss programme brief with the main commissioning contact prior to submitting the Full Proposal.
12 noon on Tuesday
18 September
Deadline for Full Proposal to be submitted via Proteus. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
Evaluation team shortlists Full Proposals.
Week commencing
15 October
Shortlisted producers invited for pitch meeting.
2. Pitch Weeks commencing 12 and 19 November
Face to face pitches with shortlisted producers.
3. Conditional Commission
Mid December Commission awarded, subject to contract.
Editorial specifications and budget agreed.
Full contract signed.
4. Feedback 2 weeks after publication of results
Deadline by which shortlisted producers may request feedback.
If you have questions about this brief that need answering before you submit Full Proposals, email [email protected] by noon on Thursday 13 September.
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2. THE FOUR STAGES
STAGE 1: FULL PROPOSAL
Producers can discuss the programme brief with the main commissioning contact prior to
submitting their Full Proposal.
Producers submit a Full Proposal, via Proteus, responding to this commissioning brief,
including all the elements listed in Section C.
STAGE 2: PITCH
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to a pitch meeting with the evaluation team. You
should expect to discuss and elaborate on your proposal and to answer questions about it. Details will be issued with your invitation in good time ahead of the meeting.
Following the pitch meeting, the evaluation team will re-evaluate your Full Proposal against the assessment criteria below, taking into account the responses given during the pitch, and any additional material requested. The evaluation team will then award the contract to the producer which best meets the assessment criteria.
At any stage of the process, we may come back to you to seek clarification. Your answers will be factored into the evaluation process as appropriate.
We may decide to hold second interviews, should we need more information to differentiate between proposals.
STAGE 3: COMMISSION
Conditional commission awarded, deliverables and budget agreed and contract signed.
STAGE 4: FEEDBACK
If unsuccessful after a pitch meeting, you may request feedback. Requests should be
emailed to [email protected] within two weeks of notification. Feedback will be
provided within two weeks of receiving the request.
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3. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
We will assess your Full Proposal and pitch according to the main criteria below, weighted as shown.
Assessment criteria Weighting
Editorial proposal and capability
Including these indicators:
Editorial innovation
Track record of key production talent
Expert knowledge of subject matter
60%
Strategies to appeal to younger and diverse audiences
Digital innovation
10%
Value for Money
Including these indicators:
Price per original edition
Financial plan, including detailed budget for original and compilation editions, and sustainability of this plan beyond the term of the contract
Acceptance of key contract terms
Efficient production process
Additional production value
15%
Risk
Including these indicators:
Production risk (demonstrable ability to produce outside broadcast series of this scale and volume; ability to deliver consistently; technical and organisational resilience)
Transition risk
Conflict of interest risk
Ability to comply with all relevant UK legislation and BBC Policies
15%
4. EVALUATION TEAM
The following people will evaluate your proposal:
Gwyneth Williams, Controller
Denis Nowlan, Head of Station Management
Business Affairs Manager
Senior Procurement Manager
Subject experts (production management, digital, finance, etc) may also be consulted.
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SECTION C: FULL PROPOSALS 1. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
Your Full Proposal must be received in Proteus by the submissions deadline. The main section of the proposal, in the full synopsis Proteus field, should adopt the structure below and should not exceed six sides of A4 when printed using Arial font, size 11. We strongly advise you to submit in good time to avoid the possibility of difficulties caused by unforeseen network problems. No late submissions will be accepted. Part 1 – Your detailed response to the BBC’s editorial requirements outlined in Section A of this commissioning brief. Part 2 – Your detailed response to the BBC’s production requirements, outlined in section A, including the following information: (i) The name and contact details of your nominated representative (a single point of
contact responsible for all communication related to the commissioning brief).
(ii) The planned location for the production team who will produce the programme should you be successful.
(iii) Evidence that you have the skills and capacity to deliver, or the ability to acquire the skills and capacity to deliver, the production of the programme in line with this commissioning brief.
(iv) Details of third party suppliers. You may want to work in partnership with third parties to deliver the brief. If so, you should include:
responses on behalf of each partner
details of the responsibilities of each partner
an outline of the main personnel who will be responsible for the production and delivery of the programme
an explanation of how working in partnership would be successfully achieved, including a proposed legal structure (e.g. one lead contractor and sub-contractors).
(v) A detailed budget for your proposed total programme cost per original edition, broken down by price to BBC Public Service and any other funding sources. This must also account for the cost of 4 compilation editions. The BBC is committed to the real living wage (as described by the Living Wage Foundation – see livingwage.org.uk). The per episode cost of the programme should be budgeted to account for the real living wage and you should include details of how compliance with the real living wage will be achieved. The contract will be offered as a “fixed price” deal, with you being responsible for any overspend and entitled to keep any underspend. Whilst you are welcome to include proposals to deliver levels of content over and above that set out as required in Section A, this will need to be funded from within the published guide price.
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(vi) If you are successful in your bid to produce the programme, TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 – (and/or any superseding or amending legislation) may apply. If this is the case, we will need additional information from you.
(vii) Confirmation of acceptance of the BBC’s key contract terms.
(viii) Risk management. You should identify specific risks e.g. production risk, business continuity etc.; and the processes or systems to manage these. If applicable, you should include a detailed transition plan and an explanation of how you will manage the transition from the current production of the programme, with minimum disruption.
2. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE
The BBC’s nominated representatives for this commissioning brief are the evaluation team listed in section B. No individual other than the BBC’s nominated representatives (or their delegates as advised by the BBC) is authorised to discuss the contents or the substance of this commissioning brief with you. We will let you know of any change or addition to the BBC’s nominated representatives. YOUR QUESTIONS In the interest of fair competition, where we feel it is appropriate, anonymised questions and responses will be circulated to all producers. Producers may apply to Denis Nowlan ([email protected]) for information about presenter fees, under a Non-Disclosure Agreement. COPYRIGHT The BBC is a signatory to, and will abide by the principles of the APC Code. CONFIDENTIALITY Subject to Section 2, paragraph 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, the BBC will keep confidential all commercially sensitive information included in responses to this commissioning brief and will only use this information for the purposes of evaluating the Full Proposal, provided that you have identified the confidential nature of any such information in your response documents. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT As a public authority, the BBC is required to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), of 1 January 2005. The FOIA is intended to deliver greater accountability for decisions and spending across the whole of the public sector. It requires public authorities to
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strike a balance between achieving transparency and protecting genuinely confidential or commercially sensitive information. You should be aware that, under an FOIA request, the BBC may be required to disclose information contained within the Full Proposal or future contractual information. Following a request, the BBC may take the views of organisations submitting proposals into account when deciding what information will be disclosed. For more information on the Freedom of Information Act see bbc.co.uk/foi.
COSTS You submit responses to this commissioning brief and take part in this process at your own cost. CONTRACT DURATION The contract will be for a period of 12 months, from April 2019 to April 2020, delivering a number of episodes to be confirmed on contract. We may extend the contract period by up to two years subject to agreement, upon similar contract terms. In the second or third year we may vary the annual number of episodes subject to agreement. We reserve the right to vary the start date of the contract as may be required to take into account the successful producer’s transition plan and any related issues identified. In assessing the proposed transition plan, the BBC’s relationship with the audience will be paramount. 3. POINTS TO NOTE This commissioning brief is not a contract. However, the information contained in this commissioning brief, together with your responses, will form the basis of the final contract between you and the BBC. The BBC reserves the right to exclude any producer that is found to either:
a) have provided information which is untrue, or b) be in breach of any of the terms of a non-disclosure agreement.
Independent producers wishing to submit a proposal under this brief are not permitted to contact BBC production staff, in connection with this commission, during the commissioning period without prior consent from Denis Nowlan ([email protected]). Any producer found to be in breach of this clause will be excluded from the commissioning process. The BBC may modify the commissioning brief (including the timetable in Section B) at any time prior to the submission deadline. Any such amendment will be notified in writing to all prospective producers. To allow time for such amendment to be taken into account, the BBC may, at its discretion, extend the deadline for submissions. By submitting your proposal, you confirm acceptance of the key contract terms: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio/commissioning/BBC-IP-Commissioning-Special-Terms.pdf