Background and Context

The Embassy of Switzerland plans to hold innovative light shows for one or two days at six to eight locations across the U.S. The light shows are designed to be part of a new campaign geared toward making Switzerland more widely known to U.S. audiences and drawing the public’s attention to Switzerland’s achievements as a modern, innovative and future-oriented country as well as underlining the importance of its relationship with the United States.

The light shows should achieve high public visibility and kick off a public conversation reflected in the media (mass and social media). Public and media attention should be drawn to events organized by the Embassy around future-oriented topics in the said locations. Light shows and public events would be carried out over a period of one to two years starting in 2016.

Call for Proposals

The Embassy is calling for proposals for a technical and logistical solution for using light projection – such as light art, lighting design or projection mapping – in prominent public places for conveying messages about Switzerland and its relationship with the United States.

Bidders should have the ability to manage the entire technical and logistical process, including the actual projections on site, identification of suitable sites in the chosen locations (e.g., buildings or other landmarks as backdrops), obtaining the required permits, and security. Cost estimates for implementation of the proposals should be provided.

Proposals will be selected through a two-step procedure, this call being the first step. After evaluation of all proposals, selected bidders will be invited to present a more detailed offer.

Content

The light show should project the image of a modern, innovative and future-oriented Switzerland while building on the audience’s existing knowledge. Content will be discussed and developed in close cooperation with the Embassy and should be customized to different settings (based on location, audience and/or events organized) and should take into account the needs of stakeholders (private sponsors) participating in the project.

Format

Bidders are requested to provide the following:

1. A proposal not exceeding 2 to 3 pages in length providing 1) an outline of the overall concept, 2) a description of the technical means to be employed, and 3) an explanation of how the project would be executed in practice (including logistical and permitting issues).

2. References, illustrations and/or samples of three similar successfully executed projects.

3.  Cost estimates structured as follows:  1) Development, 2) project management + coordination, 3) staff, 4) logistics + permitting, 5) hardware, and 6) total cost.

Proposals should be sent by e-mail to was.events@eda.admin.ch by Friday, September 25, 2015. Providers of selected proposals will be invited to the Embassy for a presentation. Any queries regarding this Call for Proposals should be sent by e-mail to was.events@eda.admin.ch.