Clarifications

161. I am seeking clarification on the definition / interpretation of subcontractors (in the context of needing Cyber Essentials) - would printers (or hard copy material) be seen as a supplier or a sub-contractor, and therefore does the requirement for Cyber Essentials extend to this service?

160. Hi there, we submitted our application 7 weeks ago and it says that the status is still "assessing". Could you confirm when we can expect to hear as to whether or not or application to join the framework was successful? Thank you

159. Re SQ-SS3R4P2 - I submitted our DPSQ responses and evidence on 15th May and have not received anything since. The Stage has been showing as "S" since that date. Can you please advise if you are reviewing it or am I supposed to do anything further? Many thanks

158. In completing the RM6219 SQ, Part 3 and providing details of example contract, please could you advise how the point of contact provided will be contacted, and also what information will be asked of them (e.g. confirmation of work, or completion of a questionnaire/evidence of work completed)? As a matter of politeness we want to ensure contacts provided are aware of what may be required from them. Thank you.

157. We have raised a ticket with NQC and spoken to CCS' Helpdesk regrading an unresolved issue with the Learning & Training questionnaire. We are unable to submit the requested evidence as all of the upload questions are mandatory, when in fact only 3 are required to be answered for the purpose of the DPS. Please can CCS confirm that it will be acceptable to upload blank documents for the evidence that is not relevant to progress to the next stages?

156. I am the Finance Manager at Nudge, currently completing the Learning and Training DPS SQ. I require clarification on the following questions: Part 3: Relevant Experience - Please can you clarify, does this mean examples of any past contracts we have signed to provide the same service we are applying for, with customers not necessarily in the public sector? Part 3: Past Performance. Are you able to clarify for us what a 'performance certificate' is? I have since seen guidance that these questions should be ignored for the purpose of our application. I see the Cyber Essentials Certification is a minimum requirement, however we are already certified under ISO27001 which covers all the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Certification and more. Could you confirm if we are still required to complete the Cyber Essentials Certification or if this requirement can be waived given the above

155. How do we update the compliance officer if we have already completed part of our application to be on the framework?

154. Thank you for your reply. I have successfully reached the DPSQ questionnaire and have made it to the generic training services questions. I saved the generic services questionnaire and logged out. I now cannot find it again. My dashboard shows me the DPS registration 1 & 2 submissions. When I select 'continue questionnaire' I go straight to evidence submission. Can you tell me how to find the generic training services questionnaire again?

153. Hello, I have completed and submitted the Selection Questionnaire but I must have made an error as I was not directed on to the DPSQ. The SQ is now no longer available. Is it possible to still complete the DPSQ? Or do I have to start another SQ in order to be able to access the DPSQ?

152. In regards to the Schedule 8 - Self Audit Requirements, bidders are required to confirm orders/invoices procured that we could not do through this DPS. What are the penalties if this could have been done via the DPS? What are the implications of customers choosing not to use the DPS? If we are encouraging customers to use the DPS as opposed to their initial procurement method, this could jeopardise any potential business or cause bidders to be excluded from other public sector tender processes.

151. Under the Learning and Training services section for Off The Shelf prospectus data, it is required we enter the delegate mixes our organisation can provide training for. We can provide both closed and public mixes, however, some courses we can only provide on a closed basis. Is there anywhere we can stipulate this?

150. Under the Learning and Training services section for Off The Shelf prospectus data, it is required we enter minimum and maximum number of learners to deliver training for each Delivery Mode. We have multiple courses within the Off The Shelf learning category and all have a different number of learner number requirements. Please can you advise how we can answer these questions?

149. Good Morning, We are at the Qualified Stage of the submission and are now required to complete the Location Prospectus. The granularity of the questions are particularly problematic due to the scope of service we offer. We are able to provide training for a minimum of 1 person and deliver all over the country, without exception. Please can CCS advise how this should be approached as the questions do not allow for this magnitude of service to be properly represented. Can CCS consider allowing for a bespoke prospectus being submitted in place of the current structure on the portal? Ultimately, we do not want this to limit the opportunities we can bid for once appointed onto the Agreement.

148. Good morning, we are aware this DPS opportunity notice was published in September 2021, but last edited in December 2022 - can you please indicate what DPS documents have been updated since the published date/based on the edited notice?

147. Within the selection questionnaire I accidentally ticked learning technologies which is we will not be providing. How can I amend this to reflect just bespoke and standard off the shelf services?

146. Hello, I understand that we are required to have employer's liability insurance. However, as a team of 3 co-founders, we do not actually employ anyone. How flexible is this requirement? Thank you

145. There is a prior information notice CS22415 that requires me to register on DPS first. The opportunity becomes live on Oct 17th. Do I need to register on the DPS before this date, or can I still access the opportunity if I don't register on the DPS until after this date (but before opportunity closes)?

144. Hello - It shows on my Dashboard that I have now been Appointed as a supplier (since Monday 3rd October). However, I cannot see my organisation on the list of appointed suppliers for Learning and Training Services?

143. If we want to add a subcontractor, do we do this when responding to a specific opportunity by including schedule 6, or do we have to register the new subcontractor in advance of responding to the opportunity?

142. Whilst we employ apprentices, as a SME, we will not be bidding for contracts in scope for PPN14/15 (i.e. >£10m and we do not intend to use a supply chain to deliver). We would therefore be grateful if you could confirm if questions 144-146 in Part 3 (Skills and Apprentices) apply to us, or whether they are mandatory.