Provision of Publishing Services for the European Environment Agency

Description

The EEA seeks to establish framework service contracts with service providers in the area of publishing services. The call for tender is split into 4 lots, focusing on writing services, editing and proofreading services, layout services and print services. This lot covers services in science writing on environmental issues in English for a variety of audiences, including policy makers in the environmental and related fields, scientists, academics, businesses, the media and the general public. For the purpose of the tender, science writing is defined as the researching, structuring and writing of scientific reports, articles and features. Writers will need to understand complex scientific information, theory and practice on a variety of environmental issues and be able to express them in such a way as to inform European policy in the field. The work will primarily comprise input to the editorial processes of the EEA and the drafting of EEA communications products, including web content. Writers will often be required to provide consultancy services, for example, they may be asked to work in tandem with thematic experts (who may not be native English speakers) in the field in question to develop content. Texts drafted by the contractor should communicate the core messages as effectively as possible and be fully in accordance with the EEA writing style. This lot covers services in English language editing and proofreading. The texts to be edited may be for print and/or publication on the web. For the purpose of this call for tender, editing functions are defined as improving the structure, clarity and readability of the text by redrafting or reordering text; removing repetition; querying ambiguities; and, where appropriate, suggesting the addition, deletion or restructuring of whole sections in order to convey the core message more effectively. It also includes all the elements in proofreading: — checking spelling, grammar, syntax and correct usage of terminology, — applying the EEA style guide and formatting rules, — checking the accuracy and consistency of references throughout the text, and — ensuring a consistent structure of chapters and sections. The work is primarily expected to comprise editing and proofreading (as defined above) of manuscripts for EEA reports and other communications products including web content, such that finalised texts communicate the core messages as effectively as possible and are fully in accordance with the EEA writing style. The Contractor may also be requested to provide consultancy services such as complex editing, providing guidance to authors on preparing their text for edit, or working on tasks related to referencing. This lot covers services in the layout of EEA products based on existing content and design guidelines. The Contractor must be able to lay out products in Adobe InDesign and produce graphical elements in Adobe Illustrator, in accordance with both EEA corporate style guidelines and standard templates. The contractor must work in the versions of these programs used by the EEA and upgrade to new versions according to future EEA requirements. All tasks under this lot are to be carried out in close cooperation with the relevant staff in the communications programme and in some cases directly with the EEA thematic experts responsible for the content. After layout, the EEA will carry out a quality check of the layout and the file will be returned to the contractor to rectify any mistakes found during the review or to respond to other layout queries. This lot covers services in printing EEA products such as publications, flyers, brochures, posters, banners etc. Files are prepared by the EEA in Adobe InDesign and delivered, generally, as high-resolution PDF files. The tasks of the contractor will be to check the technical quality of the files in all EEA languages, provide the EEA with proofs for the “passed for press” order as from the second working day after receipt of the files, irrespective of the number of language versions, process orders within a timeframe of 5 to 10 working days, depending on the size of the product and the print-run; the terms for every order will be specified by the EEA at the time of ordering, deliver printed products to the EEA premises and to the EU Publications Office storage warehouse in France. Finishing will be agreed with the contractor on a case-by-case basis, as detailed in the order form for each print job. Each product will be packaged and labelled in a suitable manner such that they arrive at their destination in perfect condition. Printed products should be sent to the EEA’s premises in Copenhagen and the EU Publications Office publications warehouse (unless otherwise agreed with the EEA). In certain cases rapid delivery to the EEA must be guaranteed.