Studio Ulster

Concepts

• ulster university
• coleraine
• information technology
• studio ulster
• virtual studio production complex
• studio ulster project
• virtual studio
• lease for studio ulster
• studio ulster limited
• provision of operator and delivery partner services to ulster university

Location

Northern Ireland: North Foreshore Film Studios, Giant’s Park, Belfast

Description

Ulster University is seeking to procure an Operator and Delivery partner for the Studio Ulster project. Studio Ulster is a large-scale virtual studio production complex designed to support both commercial and research, development and innovation activities. The facilities include, but are not limited to, a large-scale virtual studio sound stage, second flexible virtual production sound stage, a smart/demo stage, a motion capture stage and 3D scanning stage with a total floor area of approx. 70,000sq. The Operator will be responsible for developing the design, the installation and the operation of the equipment servicing Studio Ulster. Studio Ulster will include a ‘Tier 1’ Centre of Excellence in Research & Development & Innovation in the virtual production and associated technologies sector. The building is being delivered by Belfast Harbour as part of an expansion within the existing Belfast Harbour Film complex. Belfast Harbour, as landlord, and Ulster University have entered into a long-term Agreement for Lease for Studio Ulster. The Operator and Delivery Partner will develop the detailed design for the specialist equipment, procure the specialist equipment on behalf of UU and operate the commercial activities within the facility, which in turn will drive R&D across the virtual production, broadcast, animation, games and immersive elements of this sector. The Operator & Delivery Partner will be required to : • Work with strategic partners within the virtual production and associated technologies sector to support the growth of the creative industry sector in NI, through a focus on virtual production as a nexus within the screen industries. • Promote and operate a centre of excellence in the screen sector, recognised locally, nationally and internationally, as a focal point for the screen industries. • Support innovation in the production cycle to generate new products, services and experiences, through applied research and collaborative R&D with players in the screen industry. • Create a step change in the wider ecosystem by supporting development and driving innovation in the screen sector, that facilitates the application and adoption of new approaches and emerging technologies across multiple industry sectors. • Work with key stakeholders to provide training and skills development opportunities that expand the capacity of the talent pipeline, to meet the needs of the screen sector. Ulster University is fully committed to the implementation and delivery of Social Value through procurement and operations, and this shall form part of the procurement award criteria for this competition

Total Quantity or Scope

It is currently envisaged that the successful Economic Operator will enter into two contractual agreements: • a Collaborative Partnership Agreement with Studio Ulster Limited for all commercial activities to be undertaken in respect of the Studio Ulster and providing for the provision of Operator and Delivery Partner Services to Ulster University by the successful Economic Operator; • a Research and Innovation Partnership Agreement to encourage and initiate research engagement between the Economic Operator and Ulster University that will be mutually beneficial both to the operator and sector wide R&D challenges. An agreement that is responsive to the needs of industry going forward and that will help build a sustainable ecosystem for the development of new solutions, identify applied research needs and supports the wider innovation and development needs of the virtual production sector. Ulster University is fully committed to the implementation and delivery of Social Value through procurement and operations, and this shall form part of the procurement award criteria for this competition that shall be conducted via Reg 30 Competitive Dialogue process.

Renewal Options

The University may agree renewal options to to extend for any periods up to and including 120 months.

CPV Codes

• 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
• 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
• 32200000 - Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
• 32210000 - Broadcasting equipment
• 32220000 - Television transmission apparatus without reception apparatus
• 32230000 - Radio transmission apparatus with reception apparatus
• 32240000 - Television cameras
• 32260000 - Data-transmission equipment
• 32270000 - Digital transmission apparatus
• 32300000 - Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
• 32310000 - Radio broadcast receivers
• 32320000 - Television and audio-visual equipment
• 32330000 - Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction
• 32340000 - Microphones and loudspeakers
• 32350000 - Parts of sound and video equipment
• 32400000 - Networks
• 32410000 - Local area network
• 32420000 - Network equipment
• 32430000 - Wide area network
• 32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies
• 32510000 - Wireless telecommunications system
• 32520000 - Telecommunications cable and equipment
• 32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment
• 32550000 - Telephone equipment
• 32560000 - Fibre-optic materials
• 32570000 - Communications equipment
• 32580000 - Data equipment
• 38651100 - Camera lenses
• 38651200 - Camera bodies
• 38651300 - Cameras for preparing printing plates or cylinders
• 38651400 - Instant print cameras
• 38651500 - Cinematographic cameras
• 38651600 - Digital cameras
• 38653400 - Projection screens
• 38810000 - Industrial process control equipment
• 39113000 - Miscellaneous seats and chairs
• 39121000 - Desks and tables
• 39122000 - Cupboards and bookcases
• 39134100 - Computer tables
• 39156000 - Lounge and reception-area furniture
• 39294100 - Information and promotion products
• 48210000 - Networking software package
• 48220000 - Internet and intranet software package
• 48311100 - Document management system
• 48318000 - Scanner software package
• 48331000 - Project management software package
• 48332000 - Scheduling software package
• 48333000 - Contact management software package
• 48421000 - Facilities management software package
• 48520000 - Multimedia software package
• 48710000 - Backup or recovery software package
• 48720000 - Bar coding software package
• 48730000 - Security software package
• 48750000 - Storage media loading software package
• 48760000 - Virus protection software package
• 48770000 - General, compression and print utility software package
• 48780000 - System, storage and content management software package
• 48790000 - Version checker software package
• 48810000 - Information systems
• 48820000 - Servers
• 48910000 - Computer game software package, family titles and screen savers
• 48920000 - Office automation software package
• 50340000 - Repair and maintenance services of audio-visual and optical equipment
• 51610000 - Installation services of computers and information-processing equipment
• 51620000 - Installation services of office equipment
• 72100000 - Hardware consultancy services
• 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
• 72300000 - Data services
• 72400000 - Internet services
• 72500000 - Computer-related services
• 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
• 72700000 - Computer network services
• 72800000 - Computer audit and testing services
• 72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services
• 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
• 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
• 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
• 80100000 - Primary education services
• 80200000 - Secondary education services
• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 80400000 - Adult and other education services
• 80500000 - Training services
• 92221000 - Television production services
• 92224000 - Digital television
• 92225100 - Film-on-demand television
• 92226000 - Teleprogrammation
• 92370000 - Sound technician

Indicators

• Variant bids may be considered.
• This is a one-off contract (no recurrence)
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Professional qualifications are sought.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Ulster University welcome interest from all suitable potential providers. However, interested parties are advised that they must ultimately satisfy the minimum requirements at Stage 1 (selection) that will be set out in the procurement documents, in order to be selected to proceed to Stage 2 (dialogue) of the procurement process. Market sounding exercise was undertaken in 2 stages; the initial exercise was concluded in February 2020 by Ulster University for the purpose of ascertaining the potential scope, scale, technical nature, and costs associated with the various element of the Virtual Production equipment and associated systems on the Studio Ulster project consistent with the project budget. This exercise was conducted by university client advisor and Industry advisors with a range of potential suppliers and users in the industry. This exercise was aimed at identifying requirements for hardware, software and systems to support a Virtual Production facility. Consultations were conducted in 3-pronged approach as follows. 1. Hardware – consultation with suppliers of this technology to help inform the technical & spatial requirements for the building, services and budget. 2. Software/systems – consultation with specialist suppliers and demos of software solutions on the market. 3. End Users engagement. Based on first 2 steps indicative technical specification was formulated and shared with end users (specialist in their respective fields) to validate findings from previous steps. The second phase of pre-market engagement was undertaken in between September to December 2021 by the project team in order to inform the procurement strategy. This process was a questionnaire-based process accessed via the University webpage. These market sounding exercises have culminated in the current procurement approach and technical performance requirements. Ulster University shall include the information shared with suppliers during the marketing sounding exercise along with summary of key findings within the PQQ stage of the process. The quantities, which it is anticipated will be required under this Contract, shall be set out in the final tender stage of the competition within in the Commercial Submission. This information is given for the guidance of the tenderer and is not deemed to be a condition of Contract or a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No compensation will be payable to a tenderer should the actual demand be less than that stated. Further, the delivery of service as to be provided by this tender is demand led. Changes which may affect the demand may include, but are not limited to, technological upgrades / changes within the virtual production marketplace. Such changes may result in unanticipated workload growth which is higher than the levels accounted for within this tender. To be able to offer continuing service delivery as provided for by this tender the University reserves the right to commission additional product volumes over the life of the contract period, including any extension period(s) if utilised. This clause is to provide compliance with paragraph 72(1)(a) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.