Tenders being sought for OFC secretariat and conference management

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is seeking submissions from companies interested in tendering for the role as secretariat and conference organiser.

The OFC council is seeking a partner “To provide a level of support to the Council to enable it to achieve its objectives to look ahead strategically at global and local issues affecting the UK’s agribusiness, farming, rural and food economies and to make these known to a wide farming industry audience. Creating, promoting and operating a successful Conference is the foundation of this objective".

In practice the role splits into 3 parts:

  • Council Secretarial Duties; 
  • Event management, organising and delivering the conference;
  • Supporting other initiatives.

Full tender details.

Tender application form. 

The tendering process is anticipated as follows:

  1. Completed tender submissions with full costings, completed application form and CV of key staff to OFC Secretariat Ann Newbold ann@farm-smart.co.uk by Tuesday 16th November 2016 at 12 noon.

  2. Companies advised whether they have been shortlisted to go forward in the selection process on Friday 25th November.

  3. Shortlisted companies tendering will be encouraged to attend OFC 2017 to review the conference and incorporate suggestions for changes into their presentation at interview (at own cost).

  4. Interviews to be held at The Farmers Club, 3 Whitehall Court, London week commencing 23rd January (exact date and time to be confirmed if shortlisted).

  5. Site visits, secondary interviews and competency tests with key staff February 2017.

  6. 1st March 2017 appointment of new secretariat and conference organiser and 15th March 2017 handover process from current supplier begins.

Applicants should note that they will be interviewed by a panel comprising Directors of the Conference and tenders will be assessed on a range of criteria including:

  • The experience of the people delivering the services (CV’s of key people will need to be provided).  
  • The size of the providers employed team and contingency in event of key staff departure.