This tender is now closed
National Pacific Radio Network Request for proposals (RFP) to
undertake an evaluation of the impact of Niu FM, a pilot national
Pacific radio network.
June 2004.
Summary
- The national Pacific radio network was established to contribute directly
to the Government's goals for reducing inequalities and building the capacity
of Pacific communities.
- The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is undertaking
a project to evaluate the broadcasting impact of the national Pacific
radio network, Niu
FM on Pacific people within the network's broadcasting range.
- The Ministry is seeking proposals from parties interested in undertaking
this work.
- The draft final report is to be received by the Ministry for
Culture and Heritage by 30 September 2004.
- The budget for this project,
including all disbursements is up to $26,000 (GST inclusive).
- Proposals
are to be sent to: Huia Lambie, Adviser – Broadcasting, Agency Advisory Unit,
Ministry for Culture and Heritage, P O Box 5364, Wellington
- Proposals
are to be received by 12 noon , Monday,
12 July 2004.
- All enquiries to Huia Lambie on (04) 474 3304
or huia.lambie@mch.govt.nz
Background
A National Pacific Radio Network
In December 2001, Cabinet established a pilot national Pacific radio network.
The Ministers of Pacific Island Affairs and Broadcasting are the responsible
ministers. The network is operated by the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT)
in accordance with a Trust Deed signed by the responsible Ministers and the
Trustees.
Government Goals
The national Pacific radio network - Niu FM - contributes directly to the
Government's goals for reducing inequalities and building the capacity of
Pacific communities. Niu FM is a 24 hour 7 day a week operation which delivers
programming in English and at least 7 Pacific languages.
Objectives of the pilot
The Government objectives for the pilot are identified in CAB Min(01) 38/21
as:
- Communicating timely and accurate information on Government policies,
programmes and services and how to access these;
- Providing a communication mechanism linking Pacific communities regionally
and nationally to debate topical issues, and to co-ordinate and organise
themselves around activities that build Pacific community capacity;
- Building a pool of quality Pacific broadcasters;
- Providing opportunities for the maintenance of Pacific languages through
programming in Pacific languages; and
- Supporting and enhancing exposure of Pacific music and artists.
The Cabinet minute also directed the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and
the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs to report back to the Cabinet Social
Equity Committee by 30 November 2004 with a completed evaluation of the pilot.
National Pacific Radio Trust
As stated in the Trust Deed of NPRT (4.1) the principal purpose of the
Trust is to establish and maintain a national Pacific radio network that
delivers quality programming, and to ensure the responsible stewardship of
assets of the network consistent with the objectives of the Deed.
The Board of the Trust is responsible for
- developing the strategic direction of the Trust and developing relevant
plans to action the Trust's objectives;
- Managing and signing the contract between the Trust and the Network;
- Negotiating measurable performance standards for the Network with the
Network provider;
- Monitoring operational performance against those standards;
- Ensuring the services are provided in an acceptable manner to the people
served and to the wider community, and that they comply with government's
broadcasting standards.
Initially the Trust contracted the services of an external provider to
provide the day-to-day operation of the Network. Currently however, the Trust
now manages the day-to-day operation of Niu FM. The Chief Executive of Niu
FM presents an Annual Report to the Board and reports to the Board on matters
as required.
The Trust expects the Network to be Pacific positive in content and promotion.
(MoU 2003/04, Appendix 3) The Trust also intends for the Network to become
commercially sustainable.
Objectives of the National Pacific Radio Trust
After extensive national consultation with Pacific communities and through
a series of Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs fono, the National Pacific
Radio Trust (NPRT) objectives were defined in its Trust Deed as:
- Providing an authoritative, accurate, current and reliable
information source to Pacific people, reinforcing their languages, values,
beliefs and culture in New Zealand .
- Educating, promoting, motivating, inspiring and challenging
Pacific communities throughout New Zealand to achieve their fullest potential;
- Encouraging, inspiring, supporting and empowering Pacific people
in New Zealand to be in control of their own destiny;
- Facilitating, contributing to and promoting community development
that is conducive to the education, employment, housing, health, immigration
as well as the social and economic development of Pacific people in New Zealand;
- Linking Pacific communities in New Zealand regionally, nationally
and providing access to international news and events;
- Harnessing and growing the best available Pacific broadcasting
and management talent throughout New Zealand so that the network as a community-owned
platform is sustainable and delivers a quality service;
- Providing a focal point for Pacific music, business, services
and artists;
- Promoting effective avenues for training Pacific people in
broadcasting and advocating for and on behalf of Pacific people in the media;
- Ensuring that the major issues for special interest groups
such as the young, elderly and disabled Pacific people are discussed and
addressed appropriately;
- Providing mechanisms for measuring efficiency and effectiveness
of the Network; and
- Providing a window through which the rest of New Zealand can
be better informed about the lives of Pacific communities throughout New
Zealand .
The intention was that government's objectives are implicit in all of NPRT's
objectives; however it is important to note that while NPRT may be delivering
on the first objective referring to information on Government policies, programmes
and services, this particular objective is not replicated in the stated objectives
within the Trust Deed.
Geographical coverage of the network
A paper to the Cabinet Policy committee entitled "Reservation of FM
frequencies to facilitate establishment of National Pacific Community Radio
Network" (included in NPRT Board Papers 8& 9 May 2002 ) set out
the intended regions and population coverage as:
- Auckland 28%
- Waikato 10%
- Tokoroa 0.5%
- Reporoa -
- Rotorua 1.5%
- Hawkes Bay 3.0%
- Whangarei 1.8%
- *Taranaki 2.0%
- Eastern BOP 1.0%
- *Manawatu 5.0%
- Wanganui 1.0%
- Wairarapa 0.9%
- Wellington 14%
- Christchurch 10%
- Dunedin 3.0%
- Invercargill 2.5%
- Taupo 0.6%
Total Population Coverage 84.8%
* not currently broadcasting in these regions
These are available on free to air frequencies and are also available on
digital frequencies.
Evaluation Objective
The objective of the evaluation is to assess the pilot radio network "Niu
FM " relative to the government objectives for the pilot and the National
Pacific Radio Trust Deed as outlined above.
It will result in a report that establishes the outcomes of the pilot and
identifies evidence for these outcomes.
Potential indicators are outlined in the Trust's 2003/2004 Memorandum of
Understanding as :
- Ability to reach target audience;
- the reliance that is placed on the network by Pacific communities
as a means of receiving and relaying information on government policies
and programmes both regionally and nationally;
- ability to provide quality programming consistent with Broadcasting
Standards;
- ability to attract and retain quality broadcasters; or
- ability to generate revenue and thereby reduce it's reliance
on government funding, and the extent to which government agencies and
other third parties regard the Network as a reliable and effective means
of communicating with Pacific communities on a regional and national basis.
The project requires the contractor to collect information from Pacific
people living in the broadcasting range of Niu FM in New Zealand
and from the Network and Board of NPRT to assess the effectiveness of the
Network against identified government objectives.
The report will also identify what the outcomes tell us about audience preferences
for Pacific radio broadcasting. It will also inform government policy development.
In designing their evaluation methodology, applicants should bear in mind
that the Network has been operating for 10 months, rather than the 2.5 years
originally intended in CAB Min(01) 38/21. The evaluation should give cognisance
of this and ensure that the evaluation reflects the shortened timeframe.
Oversight of the Project
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is the principal sponsor of this evaluation.
The overall responsibility for the evaluation project lies with the Steering
Group made up of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in collaboration with
the Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs.
The final report to the Cabinet Committee is the responsibility of the Ministry
for Culture and Heritage in conjunction with the Ministry of Pacific Island
Affairs.
The external evaluator will be responsible to the Ministry for Culture and
Heritage and will be expected to work closely with the Steering Group where
required through the project manager.
Requirements of the Contractor
The external contractor will be responsible for developing the evaluation
methodology and analytical framework and will:
- Have a good understanding of public policy and the Pacific Island sector
in New Zealand , in particular Pacific broadcasting;
- Have an understanding of public and commercial broadcasting
- Have experience in working in a culturally appropriate way with Pacific
communities in New Zealand
- Have an ability to provide national coverage;
- Take into account the particular outcomes for Pacific peoples;
- Have experience in evaluation methodology. Including experience in designing
and implementing research and evaluation methodologies that enable Pacific
understandings to be communicated.
- Refer to relevant documents for an understanding of government broadcasting
policy direction.
- Outline in the proposal, the methodology for undertaking the evaluation
and a developed time line, including milestones for the term of the project.
(These will be confirmed with the preferred contractor).
- Be expected to consult with government departments with an interest in
this work, for example, Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs; Ministry for
Economic Development and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- Meet at the end of each phase with the Steering Group. Such meetings
will provide an opportunity for the contractor to update the Steering Group
on progress, identify any issues that arise and discuss the next phase
of the project.
- Present an interim draft report to the Steering Group for consultation
by 3 September 2004 .
- Present a final draft report to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage
by 30 September 2004 in:
- Hard copy and electronic form.
- The collected information in as much detail as possible, i.e. table
format, spreadsheet or other format that will allow future updating of
the data by the Ministry.
Project Timeline and Payment
A draft interim report will be received by the Ministry for Culture and
Heritage no later than 3 September 2004.
A draft final report for the evaluation will be received by the Ministry
for Culture and Heritage no later than 30 September 2004 .
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is to be invoiced for payment at the
end of each phase of the project.
Budget
The budget for the project is $26,000 GST inclusive. The research is to
be undertaken on a fixed cost for all services, i.e. all expenses including
disbursements are to be included in the budget.
Tender Process
Proposals are submitted on the basis that no binding legal relations with
the Ministry for Culture and Heritage are created unless, and until, a contract
between the parties is executed.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage reserves the right to negotiate with
tenderers after the close of tenders on any matter contained in the tender.
The prime criteria for acceptance of a tenderer's proposal will be cost,
quality and relevant experience. The lowest tender will not necessarily be
accepted.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage reserves all rights in relation to
tender choice. Tenderers will be notified by phone and/or in writing of the
acceptance or rejection of their tender as soon as possible. No tender shall
be deemed accepted or rejected unless the tenderer has been notified by Ministry
for Culture and Heritage.
Proposal Requirement
Please forward your proposal containing:
- A statement of your understanding of the aim and objectives of the evaluation;
- An outline of your proposed evaluation design and methodology;
- A timeline for the project including milestones;
- Detailed budget;
- A brief outline of your proposed team and their experience (include CVs);
- Your quality assurance procedures;
- The professional code of ethics to which the evaluators will conform;
- A declaration of any possible conflict of interest in relation to this
project;
- Referees who can be contacted by the Steering Group;
- Contact details to:
Huia Lambie
Adviser – Broadcasting
Agency Advisory Unit
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
P O Box 5364
Wellington.
Proposals are to be received by 12 noon, Monday,
12 July 2004.
Please address any enquiries to:
Huia Lambie
DDI 04 474 3304
email: huia.lambie@mch.govt.nz
Additional Information
Other documents which may inform this evaluation are:
