Clarifications
There are 211 clarifications for this DPS
207. Q3.2.3 Regarding the upload of our parent company accounts: we have tried to minimise the size of these files but are unable to reduce to under 5 MB - the file size limit. I note also that zip files can't be uploaded. We can provide our parent accounts during the course of the tender evaluation. Would it be possible to upload a note explaining this as our response to this questions, or can you suggest another solution to this issue? Thanks very much.
Please send the parent company accounts to info@crowncommercial.gov.uk with the CCS commercial agreement number (RM6219) and your organisations name stated in the subject line so this can be directed to the relevant team.
Answered
16/08/2024 15:52
206. In the Selection Questionnaire, Q.1.6.3, we are required to enter the date of birth (DOB) for all 'Persons of Significant Control' (PCS). Our company has three PCS's, one of which is a company, not a person, and therefore I cannot include a DOB here. I've tried to use 00/00/0000 but that is not accepted. What do you suggest I insert here? In the interim, I have added in the DOB of one of the other PCS's so that I can move along with the questionnaire for now. Thanks for your help.
This response supersedes that provided 13/08/2024.
UK companies, Societates European (SEs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are required to identify and record the people who own or control their company. Companies, SEs and LLPs are required to keep a PSC register, and must file the PSC information with the central public register at Companies House. See PSC guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-the-people-with-significant-control-requirements-for-companies-and-limited-liability-partnerships . Overseas bidders are required to provide equivalent information.
Only information that relates to the persons with powers of representation, decision or control within the meaning of regulation 57(2) can be considered in relation to the mandatory exclusion grounds and other details are requested for information only.
There are certain circumstances where it can be a company which is set out in the guidance on the link above, you as the bidder would have to review the PSC guidance and ensure your companies house data aligns. Whoever (person or company) you have listed on companies house is what you should submit as part of your PSC details.
Answered
13/08/2024 13:32
205. Regarding Question 3 in the DPSQ, please could you clarify what you define as 'breached data protection obligations'? Illustrative examples might be helpful. For example, would this include unintentional, minor, low-risk data breaches (e.g. a misdirected email containing minimal personal data relating to a small number of data subjects and resulting in no harm) or is this meant to include only serious data breaches, for example those which have resulted in ICO enforcement action?
A breach would be any breach, minor or major. There is opportunity for suppliers to demonstrate their "self-cleaning" activities that have taken place to rectify any identified gaps in security measures for example.
Answered
09/08/2024 11:41
204. Regarding Table 2 of the pricing matrix (Attachment 1F), the pricing component breakdown is commercially sensitive information and so we cannot share this. If we leave the breakdown blank, will we be prevented from bidding as a supplier on the Learning and Training DPS?
Please complete the information to the best of your ability. Pricing matrix documents do not form part of the onboarding evaluation so are not individually checked by our team.
Answered
08/08/2024 16:41
203. Please can you clarify ow we will be notified of "call-off's" from this DPS and which system(s) will be used to undertake such "call-off's?"
If a customer has used a 'Rapid Award' you will be notified either through the DocuSign that a contract has been awarded or by the customer directly.
For a 'Standard Award' this would form part of the customers procurement exercise, so again you would be contacted by the customer directly.
Answered
04/07/2024 13:42
202. Hello, Can you please provide an estimate of timescale from DPS application submission to approval?
Thank you,
There are various factors that can affect how long the application process will take, but it is a fluid process, where you move automatically from one stage to another as long as there are no risk flags raised with the answers you give or the evidence you upload. We recommend you download the bid pack and read the document titled READ FIRST RM6219 - DPS Needs, as this explains the onboarding process and the mandatory requirements you must meet to be appointed on the DPS.
Answered
18/06/2024 12:13
201. Thank you for your response I believe this answers the first half of my question. Just to confirm for the Generic prospectus question Q79 (which is only limited by wordcount), is it only postcodes that are allowed?
Yes that is correct
Answered
18/06/2024 11:45
200. Hello,
Would it be possible to confirm that the postcode/s supplied as part of the generic prospectus (Q79) is not used in a buyers process of identifying relevant suppliers?
If this is the case, is it preferred that additional information is provided as part of this question regarding the geographic scope of an organisations delivery up to the wordcount or are responses only intended to contain postcodes as the question suggests?
Thank you.
The postcode search filter is used by Buyers who are looking for suppliers that can deliver within a certain radius of a specified location.
You can only enter one postcode and radius for each filter option within the questionnaire. With multiple locations you are able to use one postcode and set the radius to the United Kingdom to cover a wider area.
Answered
04/06/2024 12:44
199. On the pricing matrix spreadsheets that need to be uploaded for the Off the Shelf Training, in 'Table 2' of the 'Standard OTS Training' tab, we're required to enter % cost component breakdowns. Where we are providing information about multiple courses in a specific learning category are the % breakdowns to be provided as an average of all the courses in the spreadsheet? Or do % breakdowns for each separate course in the spreadsheet need to be provided?
These can be an average of all courses in the spreadsheet.
Answered
14/05/2024 12:33
198. Within the SOTS pricing matrix, if there are multiple formats of delivery for a course should that course be entered twice, for example if it can be delivered face to face and virtually? Similarly, if all courses can be delivered through multiple formats is it intended for each to be entered multiple times based on the number of formats it can be delivered through? This may significantly increase the number of entries.
You can also use the 'Additional Information / Link to course material' column to detail other delivery options available rather than using multiple entries.
Answered
08/05/2024 13:33
197. we wondered if our previously submitted question (below) is in the process of having a response formulated by CCS, or if the authority have declined to respond?
196. Hello, we are an awarding body providing externally quality assured qualifications and end point assessments to the protective service sectors on a regulated or customised basis; please can you advise which service type we submit an application for, under this DPS? Thank you
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Unanswered
Based on what you have said, this would fit under Standard OffThe Shelf Training Service Type
Answered
18/04/2024 14:52
196. Hello,
we are an awarding body providing externally quality assured qualifications and end point assessments to the protective service sectors on a regulated or customised basis; please can you advise which service type we submit an application for, under this DPS?
Thank you
Based on what you have said, this would fit under Standard OffThe Shelf Training Service Type
Answered
18/04/2024 14:52
195. With regards to the off the shelf training template please can it be confirmed whether additional courses can be added. We provide over 100 courses across over a dozen different categories. Do all courses need to be priced and submitted?
We have previously recommended that you put your top 20-30 courses per learning category to help with customer searches and include a link on the price matrices where they can access your full catalogue. But you can add as many courses as you like on each matrix.
Answered
23/02/2024 16:38
194. On completing the SQ, Q6 asks Can you provide details of your immediate parent company?
Our parent company is not in the UK and when providing the address details we get a validation error because the postcode field 'is not a valid uk postcode' how do we get past this
Please just use a dummy postcode i.e. AA0 1AA
Answered
12/02/2024 11:07
193. Hello DPS Team,
We have responded to DPS Registration 1 and 2 and the application is in Assessing mode by DPS Email Notifications.
Can you provide us with a status on whether there is anything else pending for assessment and what the next steps are?
Thank-you.
You are now at the Qualified stage, where you need to submit your prospectus information. Copies of the prospectus templates can be found in the bid pack.
Answered
12/02/2024 10:51
192. Page 8 of the DPS Needs document states that the Selection Questionnaire is split into two distinct sections. Please can you provide a link to/copy of the latest:
- standard Selection Questionnaire questions
- DPSQ questions
The onboarding process is a fluid process, once you complete one stage, you will move on to the next stage automatically.
Answered
05/02/2024 17:12
191. Is there a fixed price point for contract opportunities published under this DPS?
No, there is no fixed price point.
Answered
05/02/2024 17:12
190. We are having technical issues in trying to progress our application - is there someone we can speak to about this? For example, the Supplier Registration page is showing our organisation as having two live applications, and we are unable to view questions specific to the Learning and Training DPS
Please call NQC (our service provider) on 0161 413 7982 or via email on Support@nqc.com .
Answered
05/02/2024 15:18
189. We are having technical issues in trying to progress our application - is there someone we can speak to about this?
Please call NQC (our service provider) on 0161 413 7982 or via email on Support@nqc.com .
Answered
05/02/2024 15:18
187. Hello,
Response to Clarification Q. 184 mentions "You are currently at the Registered 1 stage, you will need to complete this stage and the next (Registered 2) to get to Qualified"
However, the application Reference (SQ-2RD82EZ)still shows 'Assessing' Status and the 'Assigned User' is CCS.
How do we access the requirements at 'Registered 1' stage and respond to it?
Please contact info@crowncommercial.gov.uk quoting case number 01525858
Answered
30/01/2024 10:01
