Find a TenderAwardedContract award notice
Published 14 Jul 2025, 14:39 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Taith Media Services Framework

Official notice

Authority: Cardiff University (Education)

Framework agreement5 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£250,000total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 8 Aug 2025awarded 10 Oct 2025
Award (standstill) to Blue Stag +9 more5 awards
Framework period 4 yrsends 30 Sept 2029 · starts 1 Oct 2025

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Taith is a Welsh Government funded programme with a high public profile and requires a continuous and consistent public presence, including a website, social media, case studies, published outcomes etc.

Taith is run by a wholly owned subsidiary company of Cardiff University. Initially, the spend for website and media services was £25k but it is now anticipated that the spend on media services will exceed the PCR 2015 threshold of £213k and it is will likely cost a lot more than this in the long-term and therefore requires a framework for Taith to call off from.

There are a number of different elements so these could be divided into lots to enable a wider choice of supplier.

  1. Branding: To include, branding guidelines and updates to the branding styles and designs. Needs to be created in both English and Welsh.
  2. Video creation: To include all videos such as case study filming and editing and attending events. Including providing their own consent forms and compliance with relevant regulations for GDPR. Needs to be created in both English and Welsh. To include longer videos for the website as well as social short videos.
  3. Still photography: To including taking photos of Taith related events and participants. Including providing their own consent forms and compliance with relevant regulations for GDPR. Also being able to create and/or provide stock images where necessary.
  4. Social media assets: Create social media assets as templates for us to use internally. To also create short videos to explain elements of Taith in both English and Welsh. Ad hoc short animations will also be required.
  5. Comms strategy – helping to shape and develop a comms strategy along with the Taith team.
  6. PR support: Press / articles / copywriting – creating press releases and providing channels for us to get the press releases to the relevant media outlets. Development of campaigns, and supporting liaison with media contacts.
  7. Graphic design - Development of tangible media products such as, merchandise, pull-up banners, leaflets

There is currently a team comprising a Senior Impact and Communications Officer and Social Media Officer but the level of public profile requires more resourcing and expertise in the areas of branding, graphic design, video creation, still photography and other media services.

CPV: Direct marketing services · Graphic design services · Photographic and ancillary services · Photographic services · Public relations services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places
up to 5 suppliers · 21 bids on the busiest of 5 lots (4.2 per place) · 10 appointed (full)
Framework period
4 yrs from 1 Oct 2025, n/a
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
n/a
Published description of the framework

See tender documents.

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot

Every one of these 5 lots carries the same published figure, £50,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Video creationAwarded 4 yrsSMEceiling above

Creation of videos such as case studies, videos for the website (average 2-5 minutes long) and edited shorter versions/excerpts (30 seconds – 1 minute) from longer videos, for social media. Filming and editing of events. The supplier must obtain signed consent/release forms from all participants and compliance with relevant regulations for GDPR. All outputs will be required in Welsh and English. The supplier will need to arrange the script and interview questions in collaboration with Taith. With regards to the video specifications, we’d be looking for high quality videos with a resolution minimum Full HD (1920x1080); ideally 4K for futureproofing. The video format should be compatible for use on our website, YouTube and social media (e.g. MP4, 1080p HD, 4K). All videos need to adhere to our organisation’s visual identity (e.g. logos, fonts, colours and tones). Music will be required for the videos (and on occasions voiceovers) these will need to be arranged by the supplier and need to be royalty-free or properly licensed music only. The videos need to meet accessibility requirements and will need to include subtitles in both Welsh and English. Taith should retain full rights (IP) to the final video and all raw footage unless otherwise agreed.

Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tenders documents.

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tenders documents.

Lot #2Still photographyAwarded 4 yrsSMEceiling above

Taking and editing photos of Taith related events and participants. The supplier must obtain signed consent/release forms from all participants and compliance with relevant regulations for GDPR. The photos will be needed for use on the Taith website, social media, printed reports, pull up banners and other forms of advertising. We’d be looking for between 20-50 high quality images per request with minimal editing as we want the photos to feel authentic and not staged. The photo format should be JPEG or similar and include high resolution for print and web-ready versions. The photos obtained should, where possible, aim to reflect our strategy with a focus on people from underrepresented groups. The supplier will need to show sensitivity to vulnerable groups such as children or people with additional learning needs. Taith should retain full rights to use images as needed, ideally with full IP transfer or an exclusive, perpetual license. Create and/or provide stock images where necessary. Photographer must only use royalty-free or properly licensed elements (e.g., backgrounds, props) and provide documentation. The photographer will need to comply with GDPR.

Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documents.

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documents.

Lot #3Social media assetsAwarded 4 yrsSMEceiling above

Creation of social media assets such as templates for Taith to use internally. Creation of short videos (30 seconds – 2 minutes) to explain elements of Taith in both Welsh and English. Ad hoc short animations. With regards to the video specifications, we’d be looking for high quality videos with a resolution minimum Full HD (1920x1080); ideally 4K for futureproofing. The video format should be compatible for use on our website, YouTube and social media (e.g. MP4, 1080p HD, 4K). All videos need to adhere to our organisation’s visual identity (e.g. logos, fonts, colours and tones). Music will be required for the videos (and on occasions voiceovers) these will need to be arranged by the supplier and need to be royalty-free or properly licensed music only. The videos need to meet accessibility requirements and will need to include subtitles in both English and Welsh. Taith should retain full rights (IP) to the final video and all raw footage unless otherwise agreed.

Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documents.

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documents.

Lot #4PR and communications supportAwarded 4 yrsSMEceiling above

Press / articles / copywriting – creating press releases and providing channels for us to get the press releases to the relevant media outlets, through your established networks and contacts. These are likely to be one-off items and required on an ad hoc basis. Development of campaigns and supporting liaison with media contacts. Outputs will be required in Welsh and English. The programme has a developed communications strategy but there may be a need in the future to work with an external provider to develop the communications strategy further.

Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documents.

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documents.

Lot #5Graphic designAwarded 4 yrsSMEceiling above

Taith will be looking to continue with its current branding but may require updates to branding guidelines and to the branding styles and designs as needed. Taith is also looking for development of tangible media products such as, merchandise, pull-up banners, leaflets, infographics (for reports, social media and posters as examples) etc. These are likely to be one-off items and required on an ad hoc basis. All designs must align with Taith’s brand guidelines and fit with our tone and style. The designs need to meet accessibility best practices particularly in relation to high colour contrast, readable font sizes and to be screen reader friendly. The design format should be JPEG or similar and include high resolution for print and web-ready versions. Within Taith we use Canva, and when working on editable files, we would need the original working files in this format. The designs should aim to reflect our strategy with a focus on people from underrepresented groups. All outputs will be required in Welsh and English. Taith should retain full rights (IP) to the designs and any stock images must be royalty-free or appropriately licensed.

Contract period: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2029 (4 yrs)
Delivery: WalesEligibility: SME eligible
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documents.

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documents.

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 5 lots
Quality: 80%Price: 20%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Quality: 70%
  • ESG: 10%
  • Price: 20%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Quality
  • ESG
  • Price
Lot distribution rule: Supplier can win all lots.
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
  • “Taith Media Services Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 5 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
14 Jul 2025, 14:39 BST
Last source update
16 Oct 2025, 16:43 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 5 Sept 2025
Authority reference
CU.1928.MP
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-039665
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Classification (CPV)
Direct marketing servicesGraphic design servicesPhotographic and ancillary servicesPhotographic servicesPublic relations services
Delivery area
Wales (UKL22)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-055eaf Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN, CY
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Appointment period ends
8 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
5 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en, cy
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · n/a
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

14 Jul 2025 → 27 Oct 2025 · 8 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    14 Jul 2025, 14:39 BST
  2. Clarification questions by
    5 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  3. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    8 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by
    5 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Contract starts390 days ago
    1 Oct 2025, 00:00 BST
  6. Assessment summaries sent381 days ago
    10 Oct 2025, 00:00 BST
  7. Latest notice published375 days ago
    16 Oct 2025, 16:43 BST
  8. Standstill ends363 days ago
    27 Oct 2025, 23:59 GMT

Notice history

4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 Jul 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    14 Jul 2025, 14:39 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract award notice published
    16 Oct 2025, 16:43 BST
    UK6
  3. Status changed to complete
    16 Oct 2025, 16:43 BST
  4. Contract signature expected
    31 Oct 2025, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 105 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 2121 from SMEs · busiest of 5 lots

£250,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 5 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 5 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.

Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Video creation1 award
Blue StagSME, The Banana Agency Ltd T/A JM CreativeSME, WHITE HART CARW GWYN LIMITEDSMETaith Media Services Lot 11 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2029ceiling above10 Oct 2025standstill to 27 Oct 2025Standstill
Lot 2 · Still photography1 award
Blue StagSME, COOKED ILLUSTRATIONS LIMITEDSME, THE ORCHARD MEDIA & EVENTS GROUP LIMITEDSMETaith Media Services Lot 21 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2029ceiling above10 Oct 2025standstill to 27 Oct 2025Standstill
Lot 3 · Social media assets1 award
Blue StagSME, On Screen Productions LimitedSME, THE ORCHARD MEDIA & EVENTS GROUP LIMITEDSMETaith Media Services Lot 31 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2029ceiling above10 Oct 2025standstill to 27 Oct 2025Standstill
Lot 4 · PR and communications support1 award
Axion Solutions LtdSME, Blue StagSME, Mediaworks UK Limited SMETaith Media Services Lot 41 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2029ceiling above10 Oct 2025standstill to 27 Oct 2025Standstill
Lot 5 · Graphic design1 award
AtebolSME, Blue StagSME, JENNEY CREATIVESMETaith Media Services Lot 51 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2029ceiling above10 Oct 2025standstill to 27 Oct 2025Standstill

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Video creation18final-stage tenders180—
2 · Still photography11final-stage tenders110—
3 · Social media assets17final-stage tenders170—
4 · PR and communications support5final-stage tenders40—
5 · Graphic design21final-stage tenders210—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Cardiff University

Contracting authorityPublic undertakingWelsh devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PHVT-4343-HWYR Procurement Services, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 4HQContact email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

10 commercial parties on the notice
  • ATEBOL CYFYNGEDIGFramework contractorGB-PPON: PRVQ-5739-ZYVM Llandre, BOW STREET, Dyfed, Wales, SY24 5AQContact email
  • AXION SOLUTIONS LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PYHJ-4293-NMBL 63 Mill Lane, LONDON, London, NW6 1NBContact email
  • Blue StagFramework contractorGB-PPON: PHCC-5161-LHJD West Bute House, 33-35 Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Bay, Wales, CF10 5LHContact email
  • COOKED ILLUSTRATIONS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PYBH-4726-JPHD 86-88 Adam Street, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 2FNContact email
  • JENNEY CREATIVEFramework contractorGB-PPON: PVCV-2968-HVTM Tyn Y Coed Cwmynysminton Road, ABERDARE, Wales, CF44 0UPContact email
  • MEDIAWORKS UK LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PGMB-5426-PPJQ 2nd Floor Honeycomb, GATESHEAD, North East, NE11 9SZContact email
  • ON SCREEN PRODUCTIONS LTDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PQHR-4142-QNNJ Office 30 Basepoint Business Centre Riverside Court, CHEPSTOW, Wales, NP16 5UHContact email
  • THE ORCHARD MEDIA & EVENTS GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PTTN-2794-JWGQ Orchard, Trade Street, CARDIFF, Wales, CF10 5DTContact email
  • The Banana Agency Ltd T/A JM CreativeFramework contractorGB-PPON: PLLM-6672-QMYY 12 PLASTURTON GARDENS, CARDIFF, Wales, CF11 9HFContact email
  • WHITE HART CARW GWYN LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-PPON: PNXL-4534-XRBY Upper Glyn Farm, CHEPSTOW, Wales, NP16 6PNContact email

Official documents & specifications (6)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender