I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 137 to 142, inclusive, 147 and 151 together.
Six tenders for specialist advice have been awarded by my Department as follows:
Service
|
Company
|
Date Tender advertised
|
Date Tender closed
|
Number of bids
|
Length of contract
|
Provision of research and insight
|
Behaviour and Attitudes
|
19/09/2017
|
04/10/2017
|
6
|
Initial 6 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable
|
Provision of digital creative services
|
Radical (now trading as Core)
|
26/09/2017
|
20/10/2017
|
4
|
Initial 24 month with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable
|
Provision of integrated creative and digital campaign services
|
TBWA
|
26/09/2017
|
20/10/2017
|
3
|
Initial 24 months with 2 x 12 months extensions allowable
|
Provision of media strategy planning and buying services
|
PHD
|
04/10/2017
|
03/11/2017
|
5
|
Initial 12 months with 3 x 12 months extensions allowable
|
Development of Government identity system for roll out across Government Departments
|
Zero-G
|
27/11/2017
|
1/12/2017
|
3
|
Open
|
Provision of marketing pitch specialist service
|
Agency Assessments
|
28/09/2017
|
13/10/2017
|
3
|
Initial 12 months with 1 x 12 months extension allowable
|
Procurement for five of these contracts was overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). In line with public procurement, one tender, in respect of identity, was managed by my Department as the estimated cost for services was under the €25,000 threshold.
Contracts were entered into with these companies to facilitate the delivery of the work programme of the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), particularly in relation to cross Government informational campaigns.
A contract management process is in place within my Department to oversee all contracts.
The value of the contracts for Radical (Core), PHD Media, TBWA and Agency Assessments was set at a level to allow initial work to be carried out by the successful supplier in each case. The contracts put in place are term contracts. This allows for further work to be carried out by the successful supplier during that term period so the final contract value will be in excess of the original stated value if further work ensues. The contracts put in place do not guarantee any volume of business or exclusivity to the successful supplier.
A research tender with estimated costs of up to €130,000 ex Vat was published on September 18th 2017 to commission an initial report of Government and its services, and a rolling tracker of attitudes. After an open procurement process, overseen by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) the tender was awarded to Behaviour and Attitudes. The research is comprised of an initial survey to determine citizens' view of the role of Government and the areas Government is responsible for in fulfilling its role and, a series of follow-on tracker surveys. The questionnaire which is being used in the research is in the process of being finalised and reviewed and no fieldwork has commenced. Therefore, no findings (preliminary or otherwise) are available. The results and findings of the project, along with relevant collateral such as the questionnaire, will be published once available. This is expected to be during Quarter 2, 2018.
In relation to the contract awarded to a marketing pitch specialist, this contractor provided advice and assistance regarding the appointment of communication agency partners and assists with the appointment of the most suitable agencies for communications tasks. The contract is of a year's duration, commencing in October 2017 with the option of a 12 month extension at the discretion of the Department.