IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

The primary objective of Visit Belfast's digital platforms is to promote Belfast as a leisure and business tourism destination and to inspire, engage and convert visits. The use of digital communications is a crucial tool for Visit Belfast that influences every stage of the visitor's decision making process to visit a destination, during their stay and even afterwards. Visit Belfast currently uses a range of digital platforms to market and service visitors, including: websites, email marketing, Visit Belfast companion app, social media, digital marketing campaigns and digital screens. Visit Belfast's current contract for web and digital design services is due to expire in December 2019. As such, Visit Belfast will shortly be undertaking a procurement exercise to appoint a new provider, with effect from January 2020. Visit Belfast requires external agency support to assist it in the delivery of its web and digital marketing plans. The services required will include: — website design, development and hosting, — app development, — digital marketing design, — placement and evaluation, — design and support of Visit Belfast's email marketing activity, — design and development of touchscreen technology, — support of Visit Belfast's social media activity, — animation and video production to support digital channels and development of new digital marketing platforms. Visit Belfast wishes to secure effective and competitive digital design services which will help to position the organisation at the forefront of adoption and utilisation of new and innovative technologies to access target markets. The successful tenderer will need to demonstrate that it can deliver on the following: — ability to deliver effective, creative and innovative web and digital marketing services incorporating new technologies and best practice, demonstrating creative concepts, thought processes, rationale and illustration of final solution, — an understanding of Belfast's key tourism products and its priority markets and the ability to incorporate the Belfast Brand, — effective contract management, ensuring value for money, the highest quality and consistency of service delivery, effective client liaison and management of third party suppliers, — adhering to budget and tight deadlines and delivering within the parameters set, — offering best value and a cost competitive quality service, and — supporting Visit Belfast in its achievement and delivery of digital marketing KPIs. It is currently anticipated that Visit Belfast will enter into a contract for (subject to availability of funding and any earlier termination in accordance with the contract terms) an initial period of 3 years, with the ability for Visit Belfast (acting at its discretion and subject to performance by the supplier) to extend twice, for a period of up to 12 months each extension. The contract will therefore have a maximum potential duration of 5 years. It is estimated that contract value over this 5 year period may be in the region of 1 500 000 GBP, however this amount is subject to funding and is not guaranteed. Visit Belfast does not commit that it will order any, or any minimum level of, services during the contract term.