Published
Graphic Design of Guidebooks
Notice number: ocds-h6vhtk-0778b8
KEY INFORMATION
- Submission deadline
- • Oct 23, 2026
- Location
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Contracting authority
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Accepted Languages
- English
- Tender type
- Services
- Contract Value
- Published date
- Sep 23, 2026
TENDER DESCRIPTION
This tender seeks a graphic design agency for the creation of Historic Environment Scotland’s Official Souvenir Guidebooks and a variety of other retail publications, including area guides and themed books. The scope of work encompasses comprehensive graphic design services, from initial design concepts and iterative development to producing print-ready artwork, overseeing print production, and providing full 'live' artwork files for archiving and future updates. Key technical requirements include adherence to specific dimensions for guidebooks (195mm height x 155mm width), prescribed grid layouts for text and three-column pages, and the mandatory use of Gotham Narrow Medium, Gotham Narrow Book, and Le Beaune fonts. The contract is for an initial period of two years, with an envisaged start date of January 2027, and includes an option for extension by a further two years, subject to annual review. It is explicitly stated that printing and binding services are not part of this contract.
TENDER BRIEF
The contract timeline is as follows:
Procurement Timeline (leading up to contract award):
- Publication of the Tender Invitation: 23rd September 2026
- Closing date for raising clarification questions on the ITT: 12th October 2026
- Invitation to Tender closing date for submission of tenders: 23rd October 2026
- Expected date of Invitation to Tender results: 11th November 2026
- Expected Contract Award date following a standstill period: 24th November 2026
Contract Period:
- Envisaged Contract Start Date: January 2027 (The "Commencement Date" is defined as the date specified in the Purchase Order for commencement of the Services).
- Initial Duration: 2 years
- Extension Option: Option to extend the contract by a further 2 years, reviewed annually.
- The contract will continue in force until the Expiry Date or as otherwise terminated. Historic Environment Scotland will contact the Supplier before the Contract Expiry Date regarding potential extensions.
Sources
- 1Document 1 - ITT (1).docx — “requirements must be acknowledged as understood and the information requested must be supplied. This will facilitate the timely consideration of the SPD and evaluation of the actual bid. 10. Procurement Timetable: 10.1 T…”
- 2Document 2 - Specification (1).docx — “Failure to keep to the agreed project deadlines. Supplier fails to attend regular progress update meetings with HES PM. 3. Invoicing | Failure to submit invoices with the PO number. Invoice with incorrect amount. 4. Misc…”
- 32025 HES Conditions of Contract - SERVICES (May 2025).pdf — “17:00 on any Business Day. "Charges" means the charges payable by the Purchaser to the Supplier for the supply of Services as stated in the Contract. "Commencement Date" means the date specified in the Purchase Order for…”
The core scope of work for this tender involves the graphic design of Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Official Souvenir Guidebooks (OSGs) and other retail publications, with a potential requirement for designing similar publications such as area guides, books based on historical themes, or children’s publications.
Key deliverables and responsibilities include:
- Artworking all images for print, including cutting them out as necessary.
- Advising on the implementation of any new HES corporate brand in OSGs, OVGs, and other publications.
- Close collaboration with HES’s Interpretation team.
- Producing design roughs and detailed designs through an iterative process involving multiple drafts until final design agreement.
- Creating print-ready artwork following design sign-off.
- Providing qualified representation to oversee print production at the chosen printer.
- Advising the Project Manager on cost reduction strategies and other relevant aspects.
- Supplying HES with full ‘live’ artwork files, including artworked images, for archiving and future updates upon project completion.
- Project management of the work, including keeping the HES Project Manager updated on progress and attending regular review meetings.
- Typesetting translated text for foreign language publications, including those with non-English characters, and implementing corrections from translation agencies.
It is explicitly stated that printing and binding of publications are not part of this contract, but the design agency is required to provide supervision on press when new publications are printed for the first time.
Sources
- 1Document 2 - Specification (1).docx — “GRAPHIC DESIGN OF GUIDEBOOKS – HES/C/4379 DOCUMENT 2 – SPECIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS 1. INTRODUCTION Historic Environment Scotland is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body established under the Historic Environment S…”
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Unlock tender brief for freeTENDER DOCUMENTS
DIRECTORY • 13 FILES
- Document 4 - Pricing Schedule.xls70 KBXLS
- Form of Tender (1).docx101 KBDOCX
- Document 1 - ITT (1).docx75 KBDOCX
and 6 other documents
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Can a foreign company apply?
Yes, foreign companies can apply as long as they meet all the requirements set out in the procurement documents.
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