Q and A Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Graphic Design Framework Tender
What follows is a summary of the main questions at open meeting for anyone interested in the tender to attend,held on 20 October 2014.
What maps are you likely to want from us?
Usually you would be resizing or making changes to existing maps already produced by the Authority which are based on OS maps. The information is available in layers which the designer needs to manipulate. We have a specialist who looks at our mapping (using GIS) who can advise on copyright.
You may also be asked to include maps from other sources – for example we use drawn maps produced like illustrations for some of our leaflets.
Can you tell us more about re-sizing ads?
This is work which is likely to come up because of our having an in house designer in the past so officers here may ask you to reuse former designs for continuity etc. If you are asked for this we can provide the files – usually in In-design for the original artwork. If the artwork is not of sufficient high res to allow being made larger you would need to discuss this with the officer asking for a resize.
Do you need an example of resizing ads – if so are you looking for before and after examples?
In fact with hindsight we do not need an example of this although there is no problem if you provide one.
If we have to resize for eg from portrait A4 to landscape A5 this would be more work than if you resize from Portrait A4 to portrait A5 – how should we quote this?
This is perfectly reasonable so please offer quotes for work you are prepared to take on and explain what you are quoting for. If necessary to compare like with like the Authority may ask for clarification from other designers tendering.
What kind of E-Card would you like a quote for?
In the past we have produced a photograph with words on it rather than something animated – please provide a quote for this and if you are willing or able to do more complex e-cards then mention this and say price on request depending on brief.
How do we access Brecon Beacons National Park Authority owned photography?
The Authority has an extensive (65k +) catalogue of photography which was designed to be used by an in-house designer with prior knowledge of the images. We have a long term ambition to catalogue the library and make it available more widely but at the moment designers wishing to access it will need to book in time to come and sit in the Brecon offices with the Communications team and have a look through before taking images away with them. It may be possible to allow successful companies to copy the images onto their own external hard drive but as the images are not fully catalogued they would probably benefit from some help to find what they are looking for.
What kind of work is common for you to have designed?
Brochures – A4 folded into 3 or bigger. Maps, adverts, posters and others as mentioned in the tender document.
When the contract is awarded is it likely we would need to confirm the amount each job will cost before the job goes ahead to check it is within the agreed budget and expected costs based on our tender?
That sounds like a very good idea although we would expect to have a shared agreement based on the quotes received at tender, if there is a substantial difference between the quote at tender and the quote for the job the quote offered at tender would stand.
Which departments usually commission graphic design work?
The whole organisation might need it, but broadly:
Communications and Sustainable Tourism undertake marketing activity – brochures, newsletters, adverts, posters, banners etc. Signage and entry markers are produced by Comms
Planning and National Park Management Plan Officer commission corporate reports and sometimes ads.
Education may have folders, leaflets and reports.
Wardens need waymarkers, badges and sometimes signage.
How will those departments choose which designer to commission?
We will invite the successful designers to come to the Authority to pitch to staff here and staff will be provided with information about what prices providers have tendered as well as what their companies specialise in. Officers will chose the companies which seem to match their needs.
Will you give priority to local designers when deciding who to select?
Local companies will potentially have an advantage in being more sustainable in their travel but there are other variables which will also be taken into account such as price and experience. If two companies were equal in their tenders but one was located substantially nearer to the Authority’s central offices their tender would be looked at more favourably because of its better sustainability rating in terms of travel time (predominantly this would be travel to look at photos but also possibly to take briefings).