REQUEST FOR QUOTATION To complete an audit of the Traditional Music Sector in Northern Ireland Return date: 5pm, 18 th June, 2014
Overview Introduction In 2011, research was commissioned by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) to provide a comprehensive review of the music sector in Northern Ireland. The review was carried out by Judith Ackrill and Nod Knowles (Ackrell & Knowles 2011) and was the first of its kind in many years. It describes a vibrant and ambitious sector and identifies a range of evidence based needs to support its continued growth and development. The ACNI Music Strategy 2013-18 was prepared in recognition of the priorities set out in the ACNI five year strategy at that time, Creative Connections, 2007-2012 1, to guide its support of music of all genres (other than opera). Drawing on the information presented in the Music Review by Ackrell & Knowles 2011, the Music Strategy 2013-18 recognises that the distinct traditional musics in Northern Ireland have a special place in the culture. It concludes that ACNI should focus on delivering ten strategic priorities, the first of which relates to Traditional Musics. Give specific priority to traditional musics and commit to a long-term programme of support and development, to be guided by the sector Northern Ireland s traditional indigenous musics and song heritage stems predominantly from Irish Traditional, Ulster Scots and the Bands sector. As repositories of community history, and a medium for people to express (and in some cases rediscover) their community identity in a positive way, these musics are important to the social, as well as the artistic aspect of ACNI s mission. Traditional music is also important both as a tourist attraction and as an export of NI plc. Following consultation with a range of key stakeholders to gauge their views on ways to support and develop traditional music in Northern Ireland, ACNI have established there is a need to build baseline information in terms of the strengths, weaknesses, challenges and development needs of the sector s service providers and areas of activity. Statement of need In the review of the NI music sector Judith Ackrill and Nod Knowles point out that, Those working in the sector and their organisations are resourceful but under-resourced, and have found themselves relatively isolated and without much opportunity for collective reflection. Nevertheless they provide the basis on which, given time and attention, the interests of music can build and grow. Furthermore, they report that, Traditional music is burgeoning in popularity, both in performance through festivals and concerts and in opportunities to learn and participate through the work of a number of wellrespected small organisations. Although sometimes locked into and supported through culturally specific communities - in particular in respect of the Irish language or the culture of Ulster Scots - the general view of those working in traditional music is inclusive. In light of the research undertaken to date, it is clear that further research on the traditional music sector is required in order to gain a deeper understanding of who it includes; what activities are involved; and to identify areas where support and development are needed most. 1 Since publishing the Music Strategy 2013-18, ACNI now has a new five year plan for the arts in Northern Ireland, Ambitions for the Arts 2013-2018. 2
Project Description & Terms of Reference ACNI wishes to commission an audit the traditional music sector in Northern Ireland in order to gain a deeper understanding of its strengths and weaknesses; the challenges it faces; and its development needs going forward. Outputs from this research will be used to inform future planning; advocacy for increased support and to raise the public profile of the sector. Consultant(s) will be expected to: Work with the Arts Council to develop an agreed definition of the Traditional Musics sector in Northern Ireland; Establish the quantity & quality of all Traditional Music services (including tuition); Detail the context of Traditional Music tuition delivery (statutory / non-statutory i.e. identify opportunities, profile participants, etc; Assess the level of accessibility to Traditional Music instruments; Identify organisations who participate in Traditional Music competitions; Provide details on performance infrastructure i.e. in formal & informal settings; Identify Traditional Music organisations offering professional development i.e. training, mentoring etc; Identify partnerships & collaborations within the Traditional Music sector; Identify existing investment within the Traditional Music sector and potential funding opportunities; Provide an overview of media coverage & presentation i.e. who, what, when where and how; and Establish level of recording and commercial CD/online release activity. Useful documents There has already been some research completed for the music sector in Northern (see list provided below). These documents can be accessed in aggregate form from the Public Tenders section on ACNI s website http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/public-tenders o Review of Musical Instruments for Band Scheme o Marching Bands in Northern Ireland o Ackrill Knowles Music Review o ACNI Music Strategy 2013-18 3
Experience The service provider must have at least 3 years demonstrable experience within the last 5 to 7 years in undertaking quantitative and qualitative research. It is desirable, for the service provider to have experience of working with the music and / or the traditional music sectors in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK. Please provide 3 relevant examples of projects completed within the last 5 to 7 years to demonstrate your experience. Details must include: project title; description of project; start and completion dates for each project; individual roles/duties within each project; and project budget. Service specifications Project Management The successful service provider will be required to meet with the Strategic Development Team and representatives from the Music Department at ACNI following award of the contract for a project initiation meeting. The Service Provider must be represented by a Senior Consultant who will run the project on a day-to-day basis as well as act as contact point for ACNI. Method Statement The successful service provider will demonstrate the methodology they will use to deliver the requirements of this assignment (see Project Description & Terms of Reference section). Time Requirements Pricing Invoicing Point of Contact (If applicable) Corporate Social Responsibility Policy It is anticipated that the project will be awarded no later than Monday 30 th June. Week commencing 21 st July, a project inception meeting will take place to agree methodology and key milestones. The audit and a final report of key findings should be completed no later than Friday 31 st October 2014. Total budget available is 10,000 (inclusive of VAT). It should be noted that the lowest priced tender will not automatically be awarded the contract for this research. The service provider will be paid in three instalments, 10% on production of a Project Initiation Document (PID); 40% upon production of a draft report; and 50% on receipt of the final report, once agreed by ACNI. Please confirm who will act as point of contact. Please confirm how issues/queries/complaints will be managed. If possible, please provide a copy of your Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. It should be noted that this is NOT part of the evaluation / scoring of quotations. 4
Evaluation of Quotations Award All bidders will have their quotations assessed against the criteria listed within this section. Bidders must address each criterion fully. Qualitative Criteria (Quality) Weight Experience 10% Method Statement 60% Quantitative Criteria (Price) Weight Pricing 30% Total 100% Key to Scoring To ensure consistency and equity the evaluation panel will assign scores for quality of response to the qualitative requirements using the scores and indicators below: Score Descriptor 0 Failed to address the criterion. 1 Poor proposal to address the criterion. 2 Limited proposal to address criterion. 3 Acceptable proposal to address the criterion. 4 Good proposal to address the criterion. 5 Excellent proposal to address the criterion. If bidders score 1 or 0 in the above criteria, then it shall be deemed that they have failed to meet the specification and their quotation will be eliminated from the competition 5
Procurement Timetable The intended timetable for this procurement is: Stage in Procurement Process Dates Issue of Request for Quotation / Advertised 30 th May 2014 Deadline for submission of quotations 18 th June 2014 Notification of result of evaluation No later than 30 th June 2014 Anticipated contract start date Week Commencing 21 st July 2014 Please note: The Arts Council reserves the right to cancel the quotation process at any point. The Arts Council is not liable for any costs resulting from any cancellation of this quotation process, or for any other costs incurred by those bidding for this Contract. Background & Contract Details The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) is the lead development agency for the arts in Northern Ireland. The Council is the main support for artists and arts organisations, offering a broad range of funding opportunities through Exchequer and National Lottery funds. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is a nondepartmental public body (NDPB) of the Department of Culture Art and Leisure (DCAL). The Council operates from premises at MacNeice House, 77 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6AQ. The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) do not apply to this competition as the estimated value is less than the relevant threshold. The quotation shall only be accepted if; It is received before 5pm on Wednesday 18 th June 2014; It is accompanied by ALL tender documentation which includes a pricing schedule, Conflict of Interest Form and Statement of Non-Collusion. All are provided in the Public Tenders section of our website http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/public-tenders ; The submission is in the English language and prices are presented in pounds sterling; It is complete and fully compliant with the requirements detailed in this quotation documentation; and It is submitted ELECTRONICALLY. Please submit quotation responses, queries or questions regarding this quotation to Ashleigh Lilley via email to: alilley@artscouncil-ni.org Notes to Bidder Please ensure that you submit your quotation in accordance with these instructions. It is important that you provide all the information asked for in the format and order specified, otherwise it could invalidate your quotation. The successful service provider will adhere to the terms and conditions of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 6