NDR Dachmarke, NDR Landesfunkhäuser, ARD

The contract timeline is as follows:

• Contract Start Date: The term of the framework agreements begins on January 1, 2027.
• Total Duration: The framework agreements have an initial term of 12 months. The Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) reserves the right to extend the contract term three times, each for an additional 12 months, under the same conditions. The maximum contract term is 48 months.
• Key Milestones:
• Bidder questions must be submitted by October 15, 2026, 12:00 PM.
• The contract award is expected on November 13, 2026.
• Bidders are bound by their offer until November 30, 2026.

The core scope of work for this tender involves providing "Design-Dienstleistungen" (Design Services) for the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) and its various offerings and family brands, strictly adhering to the established Corporate Design of the NDR.

The overall project is divided into three distinct lots:

• Los 1 - NDR Dachmarke, NDR Landesfunkhäuser, ARD: This lot covers design implementations for both print and digital platforms related to the NDR umbrella brand (corporate communications) and for products developed by the NDR for the ARD. It also includes design work for regional family brands such as NDR Niedersachsen, NDR Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, NDR Schleswig-Holstein, and NDR Hamburg.
• Los 2 - NDR Kultur, NDR Info and Bereich NDR Ensembles: This lot focuses on design implementations for print and digital offerings of the NDR Kultur and NDR Info family brands. Additionally, it encompasses all design tasks for the NDR Ensembles, including the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, NDR Vokalensemble, NDR Bigband, event series like NDR Jazz and NDR das neue werk, and concert series under the NDR umbrella brand.
• Los 3 - Social Media, Podcast, ARD Mediathek, digitale Formate, N-JOY: This lot is dedicated to the visual development of designs for social media channels, various digital formats, and podcasts for the NDR, as well as for products created by the NDR within these specific areas.

The Statement of Work summary includes the following core aspects and deliverables:

• Design Task Basis: All design tasks must be executed based on the NDR's Corporate Design or pre-existing creative and design concepts.
• Content Provision: Required texts, images, and logos are typically supplied by the NDR's Main Department of Intendancy and Corporate Communications, Team Brand Strategy and Design.
• Layout and Correction Runs: The contractor is responsible for delivering layouts through multiple stages and correction runs until final acceptance by the NDR. The number of included correction runs varies per category.
• Specific Deliverables (Examples from Los 3):
• Podcast Cover: Includes 3 versions (with branding/title, clean, and clean stage-compliant) along with a 16:9 visual (image focus 4:5), which also includes image research.
• YouTube Channel Package: Encompasses a responsive channel header, a profile picture (1:1, optimized for round display), a watermark (1:1), a thumbnail with branding/text/image content (16:9), and an end card. Designs are presented in mock-ups for both desktop and mobile, with 3 routes for a "Schulterblick" (overview), and data format conforming to current platform guidelines. For Category B, data delivery is in Photoshop format without folders/effects.
• ARD Mediathek Cover Design and Image Idea Package: Involves the development of an image idea, cover design (combining the image idea with an existing lettering or broadcast logo), and adaptation of the image idea for various output sizes (from 16:7 to 1:1 to 2:3). For Category B, data delivery is in Photoshop format.
• ARD Mediathek Cover Design Package (alternative): Focuses on the preparation (retouching to meet Mediathek safe area requirements) of a press photo instead of developing a new image idea. It includes cover development (combining the press photo with an existing lettering or broadcast logo) and adaptation for different output sizes (from 16:7 to 1:1 to 2:3). For Category B, data delivery is in Photoshop format.
• General Deliverables Categories: The services are categorized into:
• Category A (New development): Up to 3 drafts and up to 5 correction runs.
• Category B (Adaptation): Up to 3 drafts and up to 5 correction runs.
• Category C (Layout setting): Up to 5 correction runs.
• Rights Transfer: The NDR is granted the right to further process and/or adapt the provided design services even beyond the contract term.
• Hourly Rates: The tender also mentions hourly rates for strategic consulting, creation art, creation text, image research, image editing, motion design, and essential graphics programming.