INVITATION TO TENDER
MIDAS
Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency
International PR & Media support for the Promotion
of Greater Manchester’s priority sectors
(MIDASTENDER/PRM/2015/2
PREPARED BY: Louise Latham
DATE: 16th November 2015
Dear Sirs
INVITATION TO TENDER
TITLE OF TENDER: International PR support for Greater Manchester’s priority sectors
MIDAS REF: MIDASTENDER/PRM/2015/2
You are hereby invited by MIDAS to submit a tender by way of the attached tender questionnaire
and supporting documentation for the above service. Details of the tender are contained in the
attached document.
Any contract awarded following your tender will commence on the date of acceptance and is
subject to the conditions of contract.
Tender Timetable
Date Tender Issued
16th November 2015
Tenderers clarification questions to be submitted in writing by
25th November 2015
The return date for the Tender Response Indication form is
27th November 2015
The return date for this tender is
The anticipated contract award date
17:00 BST
30th November 2015
4th December 2015
Service commencement Date is week Commencing
7th December 2015
Project completion date
4th December 2017
(with capacity for
extension – see 1.25)
Documentation
You are required to return one copy of your tender (either electronic or hard copy format is
acceptable).
Tenders must be returned in accordance with the ‘Instructions to Tenderers’ to:
Elaine Ofori,
MIDAS
Churchgate House
56 Oxford Street
Manchester, M1 6EU
United Kingdom
Email: Elaine.ofori@Midas.org.uk
Whilst tenderers are preparing their responses, questions will inevitably arise. It is requested that
all queries be referred in writing to Louise Latham, Director of Communications, Marketing
Manchester at the above e-mail address by the date specified above (elaine.ofori@midas.org.uk.
If MIDAS considers any question or request for clarification to be of material significance, both the
query and the response will be posted on MIDAS’ website at investinmanchester.com in an
anonymous form. It is the responsibility of the interested party to check this website periodically
before the tender return date to check for any updates and to incorporate these into its tender
submission.
The use of the name Manchester, refers to the entire City Region of Greater Manchester.
I look forward to receiving your response.
Yours faithfully,
Tim Newns,
CEO, MIDAS
CONTENTS
1. Instructions to Tenderers
Page 5
2. MIDAS Background Information
Page 8
3. Project Specification
Page 9
4. Part A – Digital, Creative & Technology
Page 10
4.1 Background
4.2 Tender Brief
4.3 Deliverables
5. Part B – Life Sciences
Page 15
5.1 Background
5.2 Tender Brief
5.3 Deliverables
6. Part C – Advanced Manufacturing
Page 19
6.1 Background
6.2 Tender Brief
6.3 Deliverables
7. Next Steps
Page 23
1
INSTRUCTIONS TO TENDERERS
1.1
If you wish to submit a Form of Tender for the work described in the attached
document, then you must do so in accordance with these instructions and any
further instructions contained in the invitation letter.
1.2
Alterations: The tenderer may not alter this document. Any proposed alteration is
to be given in a separate letter accompanying the tender.
1.3
Tenderers must submit a compliant bid based on the structure as outlined in this
document. However if tenderers wish to submit a variant proposal, they should
do so separately and this must be in addition to a compliant bid.
1.4
The date and time for return of tenders is shown on the Form of Tender. Tenders
will be received up to the time and date stated. It is the tenderer’s responsibility
to ensure that their tender is received on time. MIDAS does not undertake to
consider tenders received after that time.
1.5
E-mail tenders are acceptable as is the hand delivery of tenders.
1.6
MIDAS does not issue acknowledgement of receipt of tender documents and
accepts no responsibility for loss or non-receipt of applications.
1.7
The tender should be completed legibly in black ink or clearly typed.
1.8
MIDAS expressly reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this
procurement process and it shall not be liable for any costs incurred by
tenderers. MIDAS also reserves the right to accept all or any part of a tender.
1.9
Prices shown should be in pounds sterling and exclusive of VAT.
1.10
Confidentiality of tenders: The tenderer must not inform anyone else of their
tendered price. The only exception is if the tenderer is required to obtain an
insurance quotation to calculate the tender price, the tenderer may give details of
their bid to the insurance company or brokers, if requested.
1.11
The tenderer must not try to obtain any information about any other parties or
proposed tender before the contract is awarded.
1.12
The tenderer must not arrange with any other party the submission of a tender,
except in the circumstances where sub-contracting and/or joint ventures are
applicable.
1.13
Should your tender be accepted MIDAS cannot guarantee that your tender price
will remain confidential. If you wish to advance reasons why details of your
tender should not be disclosed you should do so in writing at the time of
tendering.
Page 5 of 23
1.14
Trading names/invoicing: Where invoices will be rendered by, or payments made
to, an entity whose title differs in any respect from the title in which the tender is
submitted, full details must be provided in a letter accompanying the tender.
Successful tenderers who fail to provide this may experience delays in payment
of their invoices.
1.15
You are not entitled to claim any costs or expenses from MIDAS that you may
incur in preparing your tender whether or not it is successful.
1.16
Hard copy tenders must be returned to Elaine Ofori, MIDAS, Churchgate
House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU. Electronic tenders must be
returned to elaine.ofori@midas.org.uk
1.17
The deadline for receipt of tenders is stated in the tender timetable at the front of
this document.
1.18
Tenderers should note that during this tender process they should not contact
any of MIDAS’ respective Board Members, Executive Directors, employees or
advisers or any third parties connected to MIDAS or any advisers to this
procurement, outside of the process outlined within this section and elsewhere
within this document.
1.19
All responses to this Invitation to Tender must be in English.
1.20
MIDAS reserves the right, at its discretion, to request clarification in writing, or
further relevant information, from any tenderer post submission of the tender
response by such tenderer.
1.21
Eligibility of prospective Contractors: Any change that is considered material by
MIDAS as to the identity or control of a tenderer, or in the eligibility of a tenderer,
happening before or after the tenderer has submitted its response to the
Invitation to Tender, will lead to its disqualification. Where the tenderer is a
consortium, the lead consortium member must remain the same as when
originally shortlisted. The full consortium membership must be disclosed and set
at the time of submission of the Invitation to Tender response and there must be
no material changes in the consortium after the tender submission. MIDAS must
be advised of any change in the consortium membership or in the principal
relationships between members of the consortium. Any change that is considered
material will lead to the tenderer’s disqualification.
1.22
Tenderers are required to agree to MIDAS’ Terms and Conditions of Contract.
Any proposed amendments regarding the Terms and Conditions must be
documented in the tenderer’s bid and submitted by the tender return date.
MIDAS will then determine whether the proposed amendments reflect a
compliant bid.
Page 6 of 23
1.23
Freedom of Information Legislation
1.23.1 MIDAS may be obliged to disclose information provided by tenderers in
response to this Invitation to Tender under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,
all subordinate legislation made under this and the Environmental Information
Regulations 2004 (“the Freedom of Information Legislation”).
1.23.2 Tenderers should be aware that the information they provide could be
disclosed in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Legislation.
MIDAS will proceed on the basis of disclosure unless an appropriate exemption
applies. Tenderers should be aware that despite the availability of some
exemptions, information may still be disclosed if the public interest in its
disclosure outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. No
response to this Tender should be covered by a general statement regarding its
overall confidentiality; instead any specific areas of confidential information
should be highlighted in accordance with paragraph 3 below. MIDAS accepts no
liability (including for negligence) for loss as a result of any information disclosed
in response to a request under the Freedom of Information legislation.
1.23.3 Tenderers should highlight information in their response that they
consider to be commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, and should state
the precise reasons why they consider this.
1.23.4 MIDAS will use reasonable endeavours to consult with tenderers over the
release of information that is highlighted by them as commercially sensitive or
confidential.
1.24
Company/Organisation contact point - Interested Parties are asked to provide a
single point of contact in their organisation for their response to the Invitation to
Tender. MIDAS shall not be responsible for contacting the interested party
through any route other than the nominated contact supplied. The interested
Party must therefore undertake to notify any changes relating to the single point
of contact promptly to elaine.ofori@midas.org.uk
1.25
ERDF funding - Subject to funding this programme is part funded by the
European Regional Development Fund through the NW Operational Programme
2014 – 2020. This contract is to cover a 24 month period, however should the
successful agency fulfil the terms of the contract to a satisfactory level, there may
be scope to extend the partnership for a further 12 months.
1.26
MIDAS reserves the right to review the agency’s progress at any point, and to
terminate the contract with a month’s notice should the agency’s performance not
be deemed satisfactory. MIDAS reserves the right to terminate the contract with
a month’s notice.
Page 7 of 23
2
MIDAS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1
MIDAS is Manchester’s inward investment agency and its role is to attract new
investment and employment to Greater Manchester. MIDAS undertakes targeted
lead generation campaigns that promote the region’s key sectors to national and
international markets, using a strong research base to determine both the
companies targeted and the development of the propositions by which they
market the city region.
The UK is one of the world’s top locations for foreign direct investment (FDI) and
the number one location for FDI in Europe (Sources: OECD, FT, EY). During
2014/15 UKTI recorded a total of 1,988 FDI projects – 12 percent more than in
the previous record-breaking year. UK inward FDI Stock – the amount of foreign
direct investment in the UK is estimated to have passed the £1 trillion level in
2014. In addition to attracting high levels of first time FDI the UK is also a leading
recipient of second and third generation investments of companies re-investing in
or in the vicinity of their existing operation. MIDAS continues to secure market
share of this economic activity and view it as essential to the future economic
prosperity of the Greater Manchester Region. Historically, Manchester as a city
region has been the largest recipient of FDI and as part of the North West region
has been the second highest performing region in the UK after London and the
South East.
2.2
MIDAS provides complimentary business support advice and assistance to
national and international organisations looking to locate in the area or expand
their existing operations. MIDAS’ services include the provision of market
research and labour information, assistance with finding property, access to
grants, help to recruit and train staff, and all aspects of information required to
develop the full business case for investment.
2.3
MIDAS also offers PR support and networking opportunities to new companies
looking to establish themselves in the Manchester business community.
2.4
Following a review of the Manchester Family of organisations which
includeMIDAS, New Economy, Manchester Solutions and Marketing Manchester.
responsibility for MIDAS Marketing and Communications transferred to Marketing
Manchester in April 2011.
2.5
MIDAS and Marketing Manchester are now part of the Manchester Growth
Company which has been established to achieve a transformation of the Greater
Manchester economy, delivering on the priorities set out in the Greater
Manchester Strategy. Providing the research and analysis to drive policy and
delivery, raising Manchester’s profile, attracting investment, helping businesses
grow and providing individuals with new skills and employment opportunities.
Page 8 of 23
2.6
For further information on MIDAS please see the following web site:
For MIDAS go to:
www.investinmanchester.com
3
PROJECT SPECIFICATION
3.1
This Invitation to Tender is comprised of three parts which focus on PR support
for three of Manchester’s key industry sectors:
Part A
Part B
Part C
Manchester’s Digital, Creative & Technology sector
Manchester’s Life Science sector
Manchester’s Advanced Manufacturing sector
PR support will form a significant element of overall campaign activity in these
three sectors and will complement the strategic marketing campaign and event
activity. Significant focus will be required in support of Manchester’s Digital,
Creative & Technology sector in particular, in order to meet the KPIs required by
March 2016.
3.2
Tenderers are permitted to bid for an individual part, or one or more parts as any
combination of Part A, Part B and Part CPlease indicate which part(s) you are
tendering for via the Intention to Tender form (appendix 3), to be returned by the
date in the tender timetable above.
3.3
The combined budget available for the three parts over a 24 month period is
£70,000 (approx. $107,000 ).
3.4
The successful tenderer(s) will be contacted by MIDAS, but day to day
management of delivery and performance will be led by Marketing Manchester.
3.5
The successful tenderer must demonstrate that it can deliver industry specialist
knowledge of each industry sector.
Page 9 of 23
4.0
PART A – DIGITAL, CREATIVE & TECHNOLOGY
4.1
Background
4.1.1
Project Background – Digital, Creative & Technology
The Digital, Creative & Tech sector has been identified as a priority for Greater
Manchester, both in terms of potential for trade and investment but also in
support of the region’s ambition to consolidate its position as a leading hub for
Digital, Creative and Tech companies in the UK.
Manchester is one of Europe’s most successful creativemedia hubs and the
industry is growing faster here than anywhere else in the UK. No other European
city has invested into this sector more than Manchester, with over £3.5 billion of
investment made by both the public and private sector in the last few years to
ensure that the industry continues to develop and thrive here.
Convergence and collaboration are driving digital innovation and Manchester is
at the centre of the action. Manchester’s key strength lies in how its various
physical and geographical digital clusters (MediaCityUK, The Corridor, The Sharp
Project and The Northern Quarter) collaborate and how they break down
traditional vertical sectors, thus creating innovation opportunities around media
production, software development, augmented reality, digital health, ecommerce, gaming, data analytics and more.
Due to Manchester’s strength in the sector, Digital, Creative and Technology has
been identified as a significant area of growth, and as such a priority focus for
MIDAS.
4.1.2
Project Overview
MIDAS aims to raise Manchester’s profile in international markets to attract
inward investment - as well as research and innovation partnerships - based in
the Digital Creative, and Tech sectors. Markets of particular significance are the
USA and continental Europe.
In order to best achieve this, MIDAS is seeking PR support to promote
Manchester’s strengths in the sector amongst international press. The successful
agency will work with MIDAS and the Marketing Manchester communications
team to achieve the key deliverables (see 4.3).
MIDAS will additionally be looking to leverage Manchester’s profile at some
national and international conferences over the next six months, enabling the
promotion of Manchester’s key messages within the sector. It is anticipated that
these will create valuable opportunities for press activity.
Page 10 of 23
Events will include Kidscreen Summit (8-11 February 2016 in Miami, FL) SXSW
Interactive (11-15 March 2016, Austin, TX) and the Games Development
Conference (GDC) (14-18 March 2016, San Francisco, CA).
Manimation
Manimation is the Manchester Animation Festival, organised in partnership by
MIDAS and the Children’s Media Festival. The event showcases the region’s
visual effects, commercial animation, corporate, interactive, games, apps and
virtual reality sector as well as providing networking opportunities with key people
within the industry.
Past speakers have included Simpsons writer Josh Weinstein and Cathal
Gaffney, CEO of Brown Bag films, the animation studio behind Doc McStuffins
and Octonauts.
This year (2015) Manimation coincided with the inaugural Manchester Animation
Festival, as well as Salford International Media Festival.
MIDAS would look to utilise events such as Manimation to invite journalists from
the sector to visit Manchester.
4.2
Tender Brief
4.2.1
Objectives:







4.2.2
To raise the profile of Manchester’s Digital, Creative and Tech sector
To raise awareness of Manchester’s capabilities in the sector
To encourage investment and R&D collaboration in Manchester within the
sector
To encourage interest in visiting Manchester, particularly amongst
industry journalists
To raise awareness of Manchester’s presence at international events
To raise the profile of supporting partners (to be determined) at such
events
To build on momentum gained in market following such events
Target Audiences


Senior C-level decision makers in companies working within the Digital,
Creative and Tech sector
Key multipliers and intermediaries
Page 11 of 23
4.2.3
Key Messages








Manchester has the largest and fastest growing regional economy in
the UK.
Manchester has the highest number of start-ups outside of London
and the South East.
Manchester has approx. 70k people employed in Digital, Creative,
digital and Tech industries throughout the city region.
Global creative brands such as Bauer Media Group, Brown Bag
Films, Google, IBM, Cisco and Weber contribute to Manchester’s
£56bn economy.
Manchester is the fastest growing city in the UK
Growth in Manchester’s tech sector in recent years has outstripped
anywhere else in the UK, increasing by 50% over the past decade —
that’s nearly five times the national average. Between now and 2017, the
city centre will see significant investment in projects which will lay the
foundations for continuing success by ‘future proofing’ the city’s
infrastructure. In tandem with this, a raft of major regeneration projects
are changing the face of the city. Together these projects add up to an
unprecedented wave of investment on an equivalent transformational
scale to the period after the 1996 bomb.
Manchester is accessible.
The city is prominently placed at the heart of the UK. It is a city that’s big
yet affordable, and offers businesses the room to breathe and grow.
Manchester is two hours from London by train, and ten minutes from
nearest airport — opening up destinations across the world (Manchester
airport flies to more destinations that Heathrow).
Manchester is collaborative
Large enough to be a world-class destination, yet accessible enough to
allow businesses to work together and collaborate, Manchester is home
to giants of both creativity and technology, like no other city outside of
London.
Manchester came first in the Start-up Cities index for 2014.
Manchester is an ambitious city “on the up”. With a particular pedigree in
creative and digital businesses, the metropolitan city offers: unrivalled
access to talent – with the biggest university campus in Europe (and four
universities in total), the largest city economy outside of London and a
strong business support package; with a wide variety of investment
targeted at the region.
Page 12 of 23
4.2.4
Required service
The successful agency will be expected to work with the communications team
towards achieving the above objectives for the duration of the project. This will
include:





Securing positive coverage within relevant industry press and social
influencers
Identifying and sharing key media contacts and useful ambassadors, in
addition to recommended messages and activity
Achieving press interviews with attending Manchester delegates during
events
Encouraging industry journalists and social influencers to attend a
supported press visit to Manchester
Gaining profile and maximising value at industry events e.g. speaker and
panel slots for Manchester leaders in this field
As such it is of high priority that we appoint an agency with proven experience
within the sector.
4.2.5
Budget
There is budget for up to £35,000 (approx. $53,000) over a 24 month period of
for the delivery of this contract, which must include:



Campaign planning & delivery
All agency / staff time
All expenses
We have identified some additional budget to host press visits to Manchester for
prominent industry journalists. This is to cover all expenses including transport
and accommodation, with all planning and organisation to be undertaken by
Marketing Manchester.
4.3 Deliverables
4.3.2
Contact




4.3.3
Provide a list and contact details of relevant press titles,media
channels and social influencers
Advise on messaging and recommended activity
Provide monthly progress updates via email
Provide a full evaluation report upon project completion including AVE
and reach
Output
Page 13 of 23



Demonstrate an achieved £150,000 (approx. $225,000) in AVE through contact
and liaison with industry journalists by March 2016
Demonstrate an achieved £150,000 (approx. $225,000) in AVE through contact
and liaison with industry journalists by March 2017.
Provide leads for 15 senior industry journalists interested in visiting Manchester
Page 14 of 23
5
Part B – LIFE SCIENCES
5.1 Background
5.1.2
Project Background – Life Sciences
As a city of firsts, Manchester is synonymous with medical innovation. Home to
four universities who have a strong track record of working with industry,
Manchester provides a climate where innovation can grow and prosper.
The city is European City of Science for 2016, and offers not just low costs and
excellent international connectivity but boasts a unique health innovation initiative
which will help companies gain an important foothold in the National Health
Service (NHS).
Manchester is also the first region in the UK to have agreed devolved control
over its £6bn healthcare budget, covering a metropolitan population of 2.7 million.
As a consequence of these new powers, Manchester will be the first and only
British city to integrate primary and social care. This will afford unique
opportunities in improving patient outcomes, testing new integrated delivery
models, and adopting new systems and technologies. This will be underpinned
by an enhanced digital-health infrastructure that will enable world-leading healthinformatics research opportunities.
Manchester has Europe’s largest clinical academic campus, and is home to
several medical research institutes; Europe’s biggest cancer treatment centre
and the largest clinical trials unit in the world.
Due to Manchester’s strength in healthcare, the life sciences sector has been
identified as a significant area of growth, and as such is a priority focus for
MIDAS.
5.1.3
Project Overview – Life Sciences
MIDAS aims to raise Manchester’s profile in international markets to attract
inward investment in life sciences and highlight opportunities for collaboration
around Manchester’s integrated health and social care. Markets of particular
significance are the USA, continental Europe, Asia and Israel.
In order to best achieve this MIDAS is seeking PR support to promote
Manchester’s strengths in the sector amongst international press. The successful
agency will work with MIDAS and the Marketing Manchester communications
team to achieve the key deliverables (see 5.3).
Page 15 of 23
MIDAS will additionally be looking to leverage Manchester’s presence at some
major international conferences over the next 12/24 months, enabling the
promotion of Manchester’s key messages within the sector.. It is anticipated that
these will create valuable opportunities for press activity.
European activity
Manchester’s life science sector will be promoted at European events such as
Medica, the ‘world’s largest event for the medical sector’. Its main focuses are
electromedicine & medical technology, laboratory equipment, diagnostics,
physiotherapy / orthopaedic technology, commodities and consumer goods, ICT,
medical services and publications.
US activity
MIDAS will also be hosting a series of events in the US within the duration of the
project, which again could be leveraged for press coverage. The events will form
part of a roadshow which will seek to spread the message of Manchester’s
historic devolution agreement, and explore the opportunities this creates for
investment. It is anticipated that this may also encompass an in-market launch
event to promote Manchester as European City of Science 2016.
5.2 Tender Brief
5.2.2
Objectives:







5.2.3
To raise the profile of Manchester’s life science sector
To raise awareness of Manchester’s key strengths in medtech, digital
health and precision medicine
To encourage investment and R&D collaboration in Manchester within the
sector
To encourage interest in visiting Manchester, particularly amongst
industry journalists
To raise awareness of Manchester’s presence at international events,
such as in the AdvaMed and Medica conferences
To raise the profile of supporting partners (to be determined) at these
events
To build on momentum gained in market following such events
Target Audiences



Senior C-level decision makers in life science companies, particularly
those operating in medtech, digital health and precision medicine
Key multipliers and intermediaries
Key industry journalists and social influencers
Page 16 of 23
5.2.4
Key Messages






5.2.5
Unique opportunity presented through Manchester’s healthcare
devolution agreement.
An area of excellent connectivity, with a diverse cluster of life science
companies on the doorstep of academic institutions and NHS
foundations.
Key strengths in medtech, digital health and precision medicine.
Home to the largest clinical academic campus in Europe - the Corridor
‘City of firsts’ - from the splitting of the atom and the first hip replacement,
to the first test tube baby and the discovery of graphene - Manchester is a
city of medical and technology pioneers.
European City of Science in 2016.
Required service
The successful agency will be expected to work with the communications team
towards achieving the above objectives for the duration of the project. This will
include:




Securing positive coverage within relevant industry press and key social
channels
Identifying key media contacts and social influencers, in addition to
recommended messages and activity
Achieving press interviews with attending Manchester delegates during
events and profiling Manchester leaders at events
Encouraging industry journalists and social influencers to attend a
supported press visit to Manchester
As such it is of high priority that we appoint an agency with proven experience
within the sector.
5.2.6
Budget
There is budget for up to £20,000 (approx. $30,400) over a 24 month period of
for the delivery of this contract, which must include:



Campaign planning & delivery
All agency / staff time
All expenses
We have identified some additional budget to host press visits to Manchester for
prominent industry journalists. This is to cover all expenses including transport
Page 17 of 23
and accommodation, with all planning and organisation to be undertaken by
Marketing Manchester.
5.3 Deliverables
5.3.2




5.3.3



Contact
Provide a list of relevant press titles and media channels alongside key social
influencers providing contact details
Advise on messaging and recommended activity
Provide monthly progress updates via email
Provide a full evaluation report upon project completion including AVE and reach
Output
Demonstrate an achieved £100,000 (approx. $150,000) in AVE through contact
and liaison with industry journalists by March 2016
Demonstrate an achieved £100,000 (approx. $150,000) in AVE through contact
and liaison with industry journalists by March 2017
Provide leads for 10 senior industry journalists interested in visiting Manchester
6.0
Part C – ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
6.1
Background
6.1.1
Project Background Advanced Manufacturing
Manchester’s heritage in manufacturing extends over many decades, with over
116,000 people now employed in the sector. Today, manufacturing reflects the
development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies, with an expanding focus
on Advanced Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, such as graphene. With
many strengths in the sector, including recognition as the ‘home of graphene’, the
city is positioned to become one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for
Advanced Manufacturing within the next decade, specifically in the field of
Advanced Materials.
The scale of opportunity for Advanced Manufacturing in Manchester is limitless.
Thousands of companies choose to base their research, design, development
and manufacturing here. Global players like Kellogg’s, Procter & Gamble,
Unilever, Hitachi, Thales and Siemens have invested heavily in the region.
Page 18 of 23
Supply-chains are vital to manufacturers and our extensive road, rail, sea and air
connections put companies closer to customers, suppliers and new opportunities.
Global export markets are in easy reach too thanks to Manchester Airport, with
hundreds of airlines flying to over 200 global destinations and a World Freight
Terminal that handles daily cargo shipments to and from every corner of the
world.
Due to Manchester’s strength in the sector, Advanced Manufacturing and
Advanced Materials have been identified as significant areas of growth, and as
such are a priority focus for MIDAS.
6.1.2. Project Overview Advanced Manufacturing
MIDAS aims to raise Manchester’s profile in international markets to attract
inward investment - as well as research and innovation partnerships - based in
Advanced Manufacturing and Materials technologies. Markets of particular
significance are the USA, continental Europe, China and Japan.
In order to best achieve this, MIDAS is seeking PR support to promote
Manchester’s strengths in the sector amongst international channels of
communications. The successful agency will work with MIDAS and the Marketing
Manchester communications team to achieve the key deliverables (see 4.3).
MIDAS will additionally be looking to leverage Manchester’s profile at some major
international conferences over the next 24 months, enabling the promotion of
Manchester’s key messages within the sector. It is anticipated that these will
create valuable opportunities for PR and media activity.
6.2
Tender Brief
6.2.1
Objectives:







6.2.2
To raise the profile of Manchester’s Advanced Manufacturing sector
To raise awareness of Manchester’s capabilities in the sector, with a
particular focus on advanced materials such as graphene
To encourage investment and R&D collaboration in Manchester within the
sector
To encourage interest in visiting Manchester, particularly amongst
industry journalists
To raise awareness of Manchester’s presence at international events
To raise the profile of supporting partners (TBD) at such events
To build on momentum gained in market following such events
Target Audiences
Page 19 of 23


Senior C-level decision makers in
manufacturing and advanced materials
Key multipliers and intermediaries
companies
working
within
6.2.3
Key Messages
 Manchester as an industry leader in the advanced manufacturing sector.
 Manchester as the ‘home of graphene’ – the city where graphene was
isolated. Home to the National Graphene Institute, the upcoming
Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (2016) and forthcoming Sir
Henry Royce Institute for Materials Research and Innovation.
 Strong transport infrastructure with regional, national and international
connectivity.
 Unique atmosphere of collaboration and R&D opportunities.
 Over $1bn of investment into advanced manufacturing across the region.
 City of innovation & city of firsts - from the Industrial Revolution to the first
stored program computer, Manchester innovates.
 European City of Science 2016.
6.2.4
Required service
The successful agency will be expected to work with the Sector Marketing
Promotion team towards achieving the above objectives for the duration of the
project. This will include:





Identifying the optimal framework for PR & Media Communications
Securing coverage within relevant industry press and via social media
influencers
Identifying key media and social contacts, in addition to recommended
messages and activity
Achieving press interviews with attending Manchester delegates during
events and raising profile of Manchester leaders at events
Encouraging industry journalists and social influencers to attend a
supported press visit to Manchester
As such it is of high priority that we appoint an agency with proven experience
within the sector.
6.2.5
Budget
There is an initial budget for up to £15,000 (approx. $23, 000) over a 24 month
period of for the delivery of this contract, which must include:



Campaign planning & delivery
All agency / staff time
All expenses
Page 20 of 23
We have identified some additional budget to host press visits to Manchester for
prominent industry journalists. This is to cover all expenses including transport
and accommodation, with all planning and organisation to be undertaken by
Marketing Manchester.
6.3 Deliverables
6.3.1




6.3.2



Contact
Provide a list of contacts for relevant press titles, media channels and social
influencers
Advise on messaging and recommended activity
Provide monthly progress updates via email
Provide a full evaluation report upon project completion including AVE and reach
Output
Demonstrate an achieved £50,000 (approx. $76,000) in AVE through contact and
liaison with industry journalists by March 2016
Demonstrate an achieved £50,000 (approx. $76,000) in AVE through contact and
liaison with industry journalists by March 2017
Provide leads for 10 senior industry journalists interested in visiting Manchester
Page 21 of 23
Page 22 of 23
7 NEXT STEPS
7.2 MIDAS would like to invite you to submit a proposal explaining how you would fulfil
this brief, including (but not limited to) details on the methodology, the team who will
work on the project and the time allocated; key milestones and timings; any points of
consideration; and any added value that can be brought towards meeting the
objectives. MIDAS will expect you to provide a summary of your experience clearly
detailing delivery of similar projects, sector experience and any previous work you
have done for similar organisations.
7.3 Tenderers should present their proposal in writing using the attached Form of Tender
(appendix 1) and as detailed in 1.0 Instructions to Tenderers. If you wish, you may
provide additional information and copies of policies etc in an appendix to the Form
of Tender.
7.4 Tenderers should include a fully costed fee estimate with their proposals along with a
schedule of works providing outline milestones and key activity.
7.5 Tenderers should complete the Declaration of Tender (appendix 2) and return to
MIDAS with the proposal.
7.6 Terms and conditions of payment should be outlined within your proposal. MIDAS
would usually pay an instalment upon appointment and the balance upon satisfactory
completion of the project.
7.7 Tenders will be judged according to the below criteria:
Number Selection Requirements
1
2
3
4
Response to the brief with regards to achieving
the objectives and producing the key
deliverables
Previous experience in the sector(s), team
members experience and time dedicated to
support the objectives and the ability to
demonstrate market knowledge
Industry recognition as a credible and reputable
PR organisation, with proven track record in
successfully delivering similar projects.
Value for money
Weighting for selection
requirements (%)
30
40
15
15
Page 23 of 23