6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Auckland 0612
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph 09 355 3553
Fax 09 355 3550
5 August 2016
Megan Darrow
[FYI request #4210 email]
Dear Megan
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
CAS-336727-S0V6W0
Thank you for your correspondence dated 4 July 2016. During your brief telephone conversation with
Ian Robertshaw, our Business Development Manager, you clarified that the information you require is
focused on the specific policies and commercial information relating to the agreement for flags and
banners. This request is refused in accordance with section 17(e) of the LGOIMA - that the document
alleged to contain the information requested does not exist.
In response to your request for information under the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA), specifically a copy of the contract between Auckland Transport and
QMS NZ Limited, this request is refused in accordance with section 7(2)(b)(ii) of the LGOIMA –
where withholding of the information is necessary to protect information where the making available of
the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who
supplied or who is the subject of the information.
It is important to note that pole flags and cross street banners are but one element of the commercial
contract between Auckland Transport and QMS NZ Limited. The guidelines for management of these
assets are an operational matter. These guidelines are evolving through ongoing engagement with a
range of stakeholders, including local boards, business associations and suppliers. The following
information is provided to clarify how the broader contract was developed:
During 2012, an expression of interest (EOI) process was undertaken by Auckland Transport to
evaluate organisations who might be interested in making an offer for the supply of commercial
advertising (an advertising concession) with the express purpose of producing revenue for Auckland
Transport. This request for expressions of interest included all necessary equipment, personnel,
hardware, software, networks, transmission and sales and marketing systems and capabilities to
support this undertaking. The locations specified for these advertising products and services included
but were not restricted to Auckland Transport operated or controlled facilities, bus terminals, rail
platforms and stations, ferry wharves, trains, pay and display machines, car parks and park and ride
sites. The intention of this exercise was to consolidate advertising assets over time into a more
cohesive and integrated media offering.
The EOI was documented using standard Auckland Transport procurement formats and evaluation
criteria using a non-price single envelope method. Auckland Transport Procurement chaired the
evaluation team. The EOI process yielded eleven formal responses from a broad cross section of
aucklandtransport.govt.nz
domestic and international suppliers and included both niche providers and those with a broader
market offer and capabilities. This process concluded with six short listed respondents; JC Decaux,
Torch Media, Adshel, Ambient Advertising, Hypermedia and APN Outdoor. These six respondents
were then invited to respond to a closed request for proposal (RFP) process.
The RFP process provided for Auckland Transport and advertising partner/s to enter into an
agreement to build and manage Auckland Transport’s future advertising portfolio, systems, processes
and procedures. The primary deliverables of this process were to determine an agreed strategy for
advertising across Auckland Transport assets and secure a range of sustainable revenue streams in
accordance with that strategy. Achieving this outcome required the selected partner/s to work
collaboratively with Auckland Transport and incumbent suppliers to develop and/or execute:
• A comprehensive audit of available and potential advertising inventory.
• Agreement on accepted formats and sites for advertising.
• Standard operating procedures to coordinate and interface between Auckland Transport and
our various partners in this process.
• Business development relationships with current and future advertising suppliers, partners,
agencies and clients.
• A business plan and strategy to achieve the agreed deliverables.
The RFP evaluation used the Quality based method (QBM) where quality attributes of suppliers’ who
met the requirements of the tender were graded and the preferred supplier selected solely on that
basis. Commercial fees and/or revenue projections were then negotiated with the preferred supplier,
based on the commercial elements of the proposal.
In summary:
1.
Auckland Transport has undertaken two competitive procurement processes to select an
advertising partner for media assets
2.
The basis of evaluation for the expression of interest included:
• Preferred formats
• Relevant experience
• Track record
• Resources
• Methodology
• Management
• Commercial terms
Table A – Evaluation criteria, weighting and summary scores (short listed respondents hi-
lighted in yellow)
A summary of the scope of responses is provided below. The respondents’ submissions
included required information under each of the criteria evaluated as shown in Table A.
We trust the above information has addressed the matters raised however, should you believe that
we have not responded appropriately to your request, you have the right in accordance with section
27(3) of the LGOIMA to make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman to seek an investigation
and review in regard to this matter.
If you have any further queries, please contact me on (09) 355 3553 during business hours, quoting
Local Government Official Information request number CAS-336727-S0V6W0.
Yours sincerely
Colin Homan
Group Manager AT Metro Development
