Clarifications

110. Good Morning, Can you confirm that if a bidder applies to be appointed onto the DPS and for whatever reason, that application is declined, the bidder can re-apply if they are able to remedy the reasons for the initial rejection?

109. Relating to questions 179 and 180, what is meant by a "relevant principal contract" and what documentary evidence/certificates are required for each?

108. We are in the process of applying for the SPARK DPS. Showing under the first submittal there is now a stage called SQ Evidence Submission which is asking for financial information. I used the Live Chat function to obtain some guidance as we can provided accounts for the last two years but there is nowhere to submit this information on the SQ Evidence Submission provided. I've also been told during the Live Chat session that we don't need to submit this information which I'm not sure is correct from reading the DPS requirements. Can you confirm if the financial information is required at this stage and how we can provide the required information.

107. Q. 130-131 refer to the parent company (specifically accounts and providing guarantees). If we do not have a parent company, does this then refer to the organisation applying or is the question non-applicable and we answer no?

106. What is the minimum level of economic and financial standing and/or minimum financial threshold for the Spark DPS? Is it the DUNS financial threshold score of 60? If so, how do we find out if we meet this?

105. We intend to be the lead submitter of a Group of Economic Operators so for questions in the SQ such as 'Please indicate if, within the past five years you, your organisation or any other person who has powers of representation, decision or control in the organisation has been convicted anywhere in the world of: Participation in a criminal organisation', should the response be on behalf of lead submitter alone or all members of the Group?

104. Please can you advise how if its possible to get hold of a work version of the contract terms and condition for a research procurement? Many thanks

102. A potential new suppler and I've completed the CCS questionnaire before reading the Needs document and answered a question incorrectly. When going to the SPARK questionnaire I'm unable to go back and edit the Answers in the general CCS submitted questionnaire . Help appreciated.

101. We have a question regarding question 140 on the Selection Questionnaire for Spark. We are a French limited (SAS) company and our level of Employers Liability cover is 2m euros per year (correct & appropriate under French law), the rest is covered by individual insurance and social security. Therefore, our overall level is probably equivalent or perhaps above the UK 5m pounds required level. How do we assimilate this in question 140? Or do we have to raise our cover to meet 5m pounds UK threshold ? Thanks

100. Is the SPARK DPS open for new submissions?

98. Hi - my DPS supplier questionnaire has completed but I didn't finalise the supporting information for the Contract Example? It won't let me edit my response now. Please can you help?

97. In reviewing my submission for DPS Registration 2, I can see that I have inadvertently provided the wrong information at questions 51 and 52 and there appears to be no way of editing these. Can you advise how I can update the 4000 character text area with the correct information (Q51) and upload the correct Letter of Confirmation of Works (Q52)?

96. Hello, we launched our solution for remote monitoring in September 2019, our first public sector contract is about to be signed in the next week and has taken this long to go through the entire process as well as delays due to COVID. Can I upload the contract and provide an amended contract once a wet signature has been applied next week?

94. I have just submitted a selection questionnaire and I am now in the process of completing SPARK DPS. When I go to my dashboard the selection questionnaire says that it is still submitting and there is also a submit button at the bottom of the screen. When I click on the submit button it is taking me to questions which asks me to upload profit and loss accounts, audited accounts etc. Is this a requirement at this stage? Also, I incorrectly answered Q127 and need to change it, is there a way this question can be amended?

93. Does the contract example (reference in attachment 7) have to be a legally agreed contract or can it describe work in progress/development?

92. We are a lead provider with one main sub-contractor for this DPSQ. Please can we request use of a contract example from our main/only sub-contractor (as they are a technology specialist). Under normal tender processes the use of an example from a subcontractor is normally permitted in support of supplier qualification (SQ).

91. Please could you confirm whether 29/05/20 is the final deadline for submissions to the DPS, and what must be submitted by then?

90. DPS Question 52 asks suppliers to fill in "Attachment 1 - Letter of Works Confirmation". Please can the commissioner confirm that it should read "Attachment 8 - Letter of Works Confirmation".

89. Our bidding structure for this DPS includes working with a partner/sub-contractor. Following which, our strongest contract example (relevant for this DPS) sits with our sub-contractor, with us as the lead bidder bringing additional capabilities, scale and governance. To stand the best chance of securing a place on the DPS please can we use a contract example from the sub-contractor. This will ensure we can demonstrate full technological capabilities.

88. Please can the commissioners answer the following question: Point 38 of the READ ME FIRST notes say a response is not required for questions 157-161, however, the system insists an answer must be provided. Should suppliers select NO and will the commissioner ignore the enforced responses?