Provision of Audio Tour Services for all sites except Stonehenge

English Heritage currently provides audio tours at 37 sites (Including Stonehenge) for a variety of visitors and a variety of needs.

Audio tours are an important element of English Heritages on site interpretation and are highly regarded by our visitors.

At many sites they are the primary means of interpretation other than the guidebook.

Both should complement each other, the audio tour focusing on the human stories and ensuring that the interpretation reaches the breadth of audience we hope to welcome at our sites.

English Heritage maintains a policy of including the cost of the audio tour within the admission charge; in this way we continue to ensure high take-up levels.

Our current contract for the provision of audio tours expires in March 2015 and we now have the opportunity not only to make more cost-effective and efficient the way we provide audio tours but also to explore the possibilities posed by new technologies.

We also expect tender submissions to reflect the current economic climate and changed political landscape within which the public sector is forced to operate.

The number of players required at each site will also vary according to season.

If a need for additional tours is identified during the contract period they will be added to this contract at the discretion of the Contract Manager. [I.e. the contractor will be our sole supplier].

In summary, we require the successful tenderer to supply the production of audio tours (scripting, translation, recording); specification and subsequent lease of equipment; a schedule to cover the maintenance of the equipment.

The contract will be for 3 years, with the option to extend for 2 further 1 year periods