The Moor than meets the eye Landscape Partnership is seeking to appoint a supplier to provide interpretation along the route of the Wray Valley Trail, a new multi-use trail between Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead.

They will produce a number of interpretive panels, a leaflet and an audio trail to help tell the story of the Victorian railway line, which the trail follows.

This is an exciting opportunity to bring to life part of Dartmoor’s heritage in a way that is sensitive to the landscape.

Quotes must be submitted in writing, and may be sent either by email to tenders@dartmoor.gov.uk or by post to: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 9JQ, together with supporting information, marked CONFIDENTIAL – QUOTE and addressed to Andy Bailey, MTMTE Community Officer.

Questions received about the request for quotation

  • Q1. Interpretation panels 5,6 & 7 - will it be the contractors responsibility to seek or confirm the planning requirements for these items or will this be done by DNPA?
  • A1. The contractor will be responsible for confirming and seeking planning requirements for these items was a design and style has been suggested. Until a contractor has provided information about the size and design of any panel and mounting it is not possible to advise further at this stage
  • Q2. Is it possible to see an example of the research material that will be provided?
  • A2. Our partners in the local history society have produced a set of notes which can be downloaded here. More detail is available in the In the Footsteps of the Victorians book. Local information will be based on existing boards and updated in discussion with the local councils
  • Q3.  Is there any thought to how long the audio programmes will be? Our experience is that somewhere between 2-3 minutes would be ideal. In order to ensure user engagement.
  • A3. This is entirely up to the contractor to propose, based on their experience and knowledge of our suggested audience. It is expected that there would be a trade-off between high production values, and length of clip to keep within budget i.e. a highly immersive audio track with voice actor and background sound effects might have to be short but a single narrator walking the visitor down the trail could afford to be longer. 2 -3 minutes would seem appropriate  
  • Q4.  Bench Seats - is there a preference of material we would propose timber (kiln dried Oak) would this be acceptable?
  • A4. The main objective would be that the seats were hard wearing, requiring little maintenance. If they could be interpretive as well (subject to any planning) that would be great. They also need to be in keeping with the landscape and the heritage of the trail. Using oak would echo the woodland that the trail goes through. Similarly something that echoes the railway line using steel or sleepers might work depending on the design.
  • Q5.We would propose to replace the existing di-bond panels with powder coated aluminium ones as we think this is a more robust specification would this be acceptable?
  • A5.If you can provide a suitable material that is more robust and appropriate and flexible for printing then that is acceptable
  • Q6. The timescale is very tight - the RFQ states on page 2 that the contract period is Sept 16 to Nov 30 is this confirmed. This means the design period would need to be completed by Oct 25 (there is a lot of work to cover). With this in mind a fast track process would need to be employed this would be dependent on client approvals. Who would the contractor liaise with for these approvals as reviewing the requirements suggests that there are a number of stakeholders to satisfy? We would envisage that there will be a three stage design process concept, development & detail (sign off for production).
  • A6. It is acknowledged that the timescale is tight. We will do everything we can to help the contractor deliver on time whilst ensuring stakeholders are engaged at the appropriate stages. There is a small group who will oversee the running of the project and liaise with the contractor. The proposed furniture will require more liaison with a wider group of stakeholders at the design stage.
  • Q7. What is the budget for this project?
  • A7. The budget is £15,000. Should potential suppliers be unable to meet our needs within this budget there would be a small contingency budget.