Voluntary Ex Ante Notice, Marking Scheme for Sustainable Destinations

Description

The marking scheme for sustainable destinations was launched in 2013. It is a tool for destinations who would like more uniform and responsible tourism development. Almost 40 destinations and approx. 90 municipalities are, or are in the process of being marked. This includes several of the largest destinations in the country. In order to professionalise and make the operation of the marking scheme more efficient, Innovasjon Norge would like to join up with a collaboration partner who can deliver such a control system with a tool that is more user-friendly than the current system. In addition to the control system, it is important that the new tenderer can also assist with strategic further development of the marking scheme in central operational areas. Lot 1: Innovasjon Norge needs to transfer our existing system to a tested control system that we can access, in order to ensure good and efficient development and a good system choice. This involves a toolbox that consists of a database/platform, control system and work process. It is a prerequisite that the procurement is kept together in order to ensure that all of the marking scheme's different elements are connected, and so that the tenderer is able to guide Innovasjon Norge in strategic choices for the further development of the marking scheme. The aim of the procurement is to: — get a more robust, efficient and cost-saving system, — get a professional operator that operates nationwide, — to get a scheme in place that is self-financing to the greatest possible degree, in cooperation with the tenderer. The process is planned in accordance with the following steps: — during the 2nd quarter fo 2019: contract signing, — 1.3.2020: licensing the environmental lighthouse portal, including the transfer of data from the current database system Quickbase. This includes preparations so that the company and controller can start using the technical system, — 1.3.2020: in addition to Step 1, also recruit up to 5 controllers (certifiers). Innovasjon Norge has scanned the market nationally and internationally in order to identify possible suppliers of such a control system. The analysis shows that sub-elements can be obtained from several suppliers, but it is an important point that the central elements in the procurement are kept together. Our searches show that only Stiftelsen Miljøfyrtårn can deliver on the specifications set by Innovasjon Norge. Miljøfyrtårn has the required competence, a suitable platform and a customer follow-up system. In addition the foundation also has good competence in certification schemes and international certification for its management. Cooperation with Miljøfyrtårn will strengthen the marking scheme, and make it possible to achieve Innovasjon Norge's ambitions within sustainable destination development. Innovasjon Norge will retain ownership of the scheme, and will continue to have managerial responsibility for the standard in the marking scheme and the concept around the marking scheme. It is primarily the operational assignments connected to the control function that we would like to transfer to Miljøfyrtårn. The estimated value of the procurement is up to 2 900 000 NOK excluding VAT. The contract is scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2019.