Television production services

Tender description

The BBC currently obtains subtitling, audio description and signing services for the BBC’s broadcast television channels from an external provider (“Services”). This contract is due to expire on 31.7.2019. The Services constitute audiovisual media services intended for broadcast within the meaning of Article 10(b) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Regulation 10(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and therefore. Fall outside the scope of the Directive and Regulations. Nevertheless, the BBC intends to hold a competitive process for the reprocurement of these Services in due course. For technical reasons arising from BBC R&D's investigations into the emerging technologies of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning Tools/Modelling for use across the media production, broadcast and publication chain, greater time is now required to thoroughly assess options and confirm the future, detailed service requirements. The BBC currently obtains subtitling, audio description and signing services for the BBC’s broadcast television channels from an external provider (“Services”). This contract is due to expire on 31.7.2019. The Services constitute audiovisual media services intended for broadcast within the meaning of Article 10(b) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Regulation 10(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and therefore. Fall outside the scope of the Directive and Regulations. Nevertheless, the BBC intends to hold a competitive process for the reprocurement of these Services in due course. For technical reasons arising from BBC R&D's investigations into the emerging technologies of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning Tools/Modelling for use across the media production, broadcast and publication chain, greater time is now required to thoroughly assess options and confirm the future, detailed service requirements. The BBC therefore intends to enter into an extension of the existing contract with the incumbent Services provider for a period of 32 months commencing 1.8.2019, this to allow sufficient time once future service requirements are confirmed to run a competitive process and a subsequent transition to the new contractual arrangements and operating model. The BBC currently plans to conduct a market sounding exercise in late 2018/early 2019 to further inform its sourcing and procurement strategy, ahead of commencing a competitive process to award a new, long term contract for the Services for the period following the expiry date of the extended contract.