CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Walking & cycling network in rural Wales. Engaging stakeholders for marketing & train

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

The chosen Supplier will be required to deliver three distinct components as detailed below. The components will be applied to the 8 schemes and will take into account their diversity.

1 Stakeholder engagement

The chosen Supplier will be required to deliver planned interventions which will aim to expand the number of regional stakeholders identified in the initial phase of the project and to set up one Regional Stakeholder Group for each scheme. The Supplier will ensure all key businesses and tourism destinations potentially affected by identified schemes are included and that existing stakeholder groups are involved in the project group. The Supplier will also be required to facilitate stakeholder meetings, which will take place on a quarterly basis and will contribute to the development of the Delivery Plan. Stakeholders groups will also be the main beneficiaries of the Marketing activities.

2 Marketing strategy

The chosen Supplier will be required to deliver marketing and promotional activity focused on the promotion of active ways of traveling and on the benefits of sustainable and active tourism for visitors, local businesses and the local communities. This will focus on supporting stakeholders in developing a sustainable product and how to communicate it creatively. The Supplier will further develop existing tools which can be expanded and improved in order to support tourism businesses in developing sustainable products linked with the NCN routes, particularly the Marketing Toolkit and interactive mapping developed for Local Authorities in South East Wales.

Sustrans will support the Supplier by providing interactive maps where key tourist attractions, facilities, accommodation and other local services are identified, as well as their connections to NCN routes.

3 Training

The chosen Supplier will be required to design and deliver training aimed at businesses and tourism services around scheme destinations. The training will be generated from the stakeholder engagement and the marketing strategy. The training should:

- increase businesses’ understanding of the activity tourism market, such as walking and cycling and NCN routes

- offer advice on how to access all the benefits of the activity tourism

- offer advice on how to deliver sustainable tourism products and communicate these effectively

- plan how businesses can take advantage of existing and emerging opportunities in their area, particularly where new or improved infrastructure is proposed

- promote the existing, relevant marketing tools.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=62791.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

The supplier will need to develop its actions across each of the 8 key schemes which have been identified across Wales.

In detail:

- Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest

- Garw Valley, Bridgend

- Brynmawr High level, Blaenau Gwent

- Pontarddulais - Gowerton

- Dee Coast (Flintshire, Flint)

- Flint Network Improvements (Flintshire, Flint)

- Conwy Estuary (Llandudno, Conwy)

- TBC

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

1 Quality of the proposal

1.1 Value for money (although quality and ability to meet the brief will be a major consideration, a value for money judgement will also be made)

1.2 Proposed methodology is appropriate and workable and shows an understanding of the context, the key issues and the objectives of the project

1.3 Proposed methodology shows flexibility in adapting to the specificity of each scheme

1.4 Organisation of the activities, compatible with the geographical spread of the project

1.5 Timetable of key activities is appropriate and workable and covers all key aims and 1.6 Demonstrate an effective monitoring and reporting strategy, incorporating SMART objectives to achieve the project outputs.

2 Experience of the Supplier

2.1 Demonstrating an understanding of the National Cycle Network and of the importance of activity travel as a way of contributing to making tourism more sustainable in destinations

2.2 Demonstrating an understanding of the contribution of sustainable tourism to the resilience of rural areas, to the promotion of cultural values, diversity and heritage, to social inclusiveness, resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change

2.3 Proven, extensive experience in stakeholder mapping, engagement and community or business participatory strategies. The Supplier will be required to build on existing local relationships as well as develop new contacts where appropriate

2.4 Proven experience in marketing and promotion, with a major focus on Active and sustainable Tourism

2.5 Proven experience in delivering training activities, especially to tourism related businesses

2.6 Prepared to undertake project delivery across a range of geographical areas in Wales, identified in the schemes listed in Table 1

2.7 The chosen Supplier must be registered on Sell2Wales.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

Background

Significant gaps exist in the National Cycle Network (NCN) in rural Wales, where rural communities are disconnected from local services and tourism destinations. This impacts on local economic development, health and wellbeing. The project has identified 8 key schemes across Wales to fill these gaps, opening up new opportunities for local people to access jobs, services and tourist destinations using active transport.

Within the 8 scheme areas identified through feasibility and gaps analysis, local authorities, tourism providers and community groups of interest will be brought together to form Regional Stakeholder Groups. Sustrans will work closely with these groups to develop a detailed delivery plan for each scheme. This will provide the framework for local authorities and other delivery partners to take forward construction works in order to deliver the schemes and expand the reach of the NCN.

The project will

- create opportunities for scheme development, by building key stakeholder partnerships and co-operative working, encourage active and sustainable tourism by up-skilling tourism providers and partners to better understand and deliver tourism products

- increase the number of people visiting Wales and using the NCN by improving connectivity to key tourism destinations, services and facilities in local communities, supporting longer-term economic development in rural areas

- contribute to Wales becoming a leading sustainable tourism destination, by encouraging visitors to walk or cycle

- enhance health and wellbeing and quality through improved sustainable transport links on the NCN, connecting to services and improving the quality of life for tourists and the community.

The project will run until September 2018. As a result, the project will develop a Delivery Plan for each scheme, which will be handed to the local authorities for further development.

In compliance with the UN Agenda which qualifies 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the project will raise awareness among public and private sector decision-makers and the public on the contribution of sustainable forms of tourism to inclusive economic growth and environmental protection, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.

Sustrans’ obligations

- Sustrans will provide the Supplier, its employees, agents, consultants, and subcontractors, with access to the Customer's premises, office accommodation, and other facilities as reasonably required for the performance of the Services

- Sustrans will provide the Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier may reasonably require in order to supply the Services

- Sustrans will provide the Supplier with the required Specification prior to agreement and ordering.

Further information

- The work will need to allow for Welsh Language requirements where necessary and reasonable. New material will need to be bilingual including websites, online graphics etc.

- The Supplier must specify if using sub-contractors, providing details on their experience and on the activity contracted. The same conditions listed in the paragraph 3. ("Conditions for participation") will apply.

This notice has been sent as a region specific notice. If you did not receive an alert about this you are not based in the specific region selected by the buying authority. Questions on why this was sent as a region specific notice should be sent to the buying authority.

(WA Ref:62791)

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

- key stakeholder partnerships will need to be formed and co-operative working will be enhanced. Stakeholder partnership will involve local authorities, local businesses, and local community representatives

- tourism providers and partners will need to be up-skilled to better understand and deliver tourism products

- active ways of traveling will need to be promoted, as well as and the benefits of sustainable and active tourism for visitors, local businesses, and the local communities

Relates to the following project/programme financed by EU Community Funds: Walking & Cycling Network in Rural Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP), Welsh Government

Rural Development Programme (RDP), Welsh Government

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice