Ignite Virtual Production Studio Proposal Halts as Bid Falls Short on Technical and Financial Grounds

ISLAMABAD: Ignite has rejected the bid submitted by Neurox Pvt Ltd and its international partner for the establishment of a Virtual Production Studio (VPS), citing technical shortcomings and financial sustainability concerns. The evaluation team determined that the proposal failed to meet key RFP (Request for Proposal) requirements, impacting its technical evaluation score.

Ignite had invited bids to establish Pakistan’s first Virtual Production Studio (VPS) to modernize the country’s digital content creation landscape. Virtual production studios use cutting-edge technology, such as LED walls, real-time rendering, and digital environments, to create immersive visual experiences. Globally, these studios are transforming the entertainment industry, but Pakistan has lacked such a facility, forcing content creators to outsource production abroad. Ignite aimed to bridge this gap by setting up a state-of-the-art VPS through a government-led initiative.

The proposed VPS would include LED walls (P1.9/P2.0 industry standard), truss systems, professional lighting, backup power, high-speed internet, and secure accessibility. Ignite planned to fund and monitor the project, covering 70% of operational costs for the first four years, while selecting a qualified bidder to manage the studio.

However, according to the procurement report, the bidders lacked sufficient proof of relevant expertise, technical capabilities, and a structured financial sustainability plan to ensure long-term operations. The absence of a clear roadmap for recurring costs, maintenance, and production expenses raised concerns about the project’s viability.

Additionally, proper documentation to verify technical capabilities and project execution capacity was missing. The proposal also did not include an OPEX projection or a roadmap for content production, technology upgrades, staffing, and maintenance. Without these crucial elements, the project was deemed unsuitable for a high-tech, capital-intensive initiative like a Virtual Production Studio.

PPRA has reaffirmed that the procurement process was legally valid and aligned with RFP compliance and technical merit. Concerns regarding the evaluation can only be addressed through PPRA’s formal grievance channels. This decision raises questions about the future of the Virtual Production Studio initiative and whether Ignite will revise and resubmit its proposal in future bidding rounds.