Clarifications
There are 198 clarifications for this DPS
42. Apologies if we have missed this, but are we required to complete the Attachment 3 - RM6219 Learning and Training Services Financial Assessment Template v1.0 given? If yes, then where do we upload this file?
No, you only need to complete this if your D&B credit check score is below 50.
Please see READ ME document - Paragraph 51 for more information.
Answered
15/10/2021 15:13
41. In regards to Q144-146, can we confirm that "supporting apprenticeships and skills development" refers to a supplier's support for the apprenticeship policy through employment of apprentices in delivery of the services being procured under RM6219?
Yes that is correct.
Answered
15/10/2021 15:13
40. In regards to Q54, where there is only space for one postcode next to a delivery method, what approach should be taken if there are multiple venues where training can be delivered?
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
19/10/2021 17:54
39. In regards to Q33, what is CCS's definition of an Authorised Representative?
Someone who has delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of the organisation.
Answered
15/10/2021 15:14
37. Reference Q8. Q37 you have requested website link to quality assurance report. Please clarify your expectation of this as Quality assurance report is not usually in public domain. Thanks
This would be a link to your Quality Assurance Policy.
Q)Would it be possible to upload the policy as opposed to providing a link.
There is no facility to upload a document for this question. But you can provide a link to a PDF document.
Answered
20/10/2021 16:26
36. We note in your answer to Question 23. that the target audience for this framework RM6219 is "the Wider Public Sector by which we mean Local Authorities, NHS, Emergency Services, Charities, Not for Profit, Devolved Admins".
We also note in your answer to Question 6. that "the services offered through RM6219 are intended to compliment RM6145 and not compete with it."
As the existing RM6145 framework agreement is "open to all UK public sector organisations, including all associated bodies within Central Government, Arm's Length Bodies (ALB's) and Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB's), National Health Service (NHS) Bodies, Emergency Services, Local Authorities, Devolved Administrations and the Wider Public Sector (WPS)" our question is (as an existing supplier on the RM6145 framework agreement) what is the benefit to the end client if they were to access our services via this RM6219 framework instead of the existing RM6145 framework? Thank you.
RM6145 is a direct award framework, where customers access training though a Prime Vendor. In response to customer feedback through our engagement activities, RM6219 offers a direct relationship between customer and supplier and enables customers to find both standard and niche training options, from a wide pool of pre-qualified independent providers (SMEs) alongside large providers, in one system.
Answered
22/10/2021 10:02
35. Hello could you give more detail please on your expectations of what you would like to be uploaded for Q177 & Q179
Thanks
Q177 - This is confirmation whether or not you that can deliver the services now or something you are looking to do in the future
Q179 - This would be a link to your company's website or a page where you can detail more information about the Standard Off The Shelf Courses you can deliver.
Answered
14/10/2021 13:35
34. DPS Order Schedule 17 MOD Terms as found in Bid Pack 4 appears to be the incorrect document. The text within the document refers to Exit Management. Please could you provide the correct version of this Schedule? Thanks.
Yes, apologies this is an error and will be rectified on the 21st October as part of the system update (See Q11).
Answered
14/10/2021 13:35
33. We note that the liability for each call off contract under RM6219 is £5m per annum or 150% of fees (whichever is higher), plus £10m per annum for data protection.
In some lots (such as the standard off the shelf lot) there will be a high volume of small orders. How should we interpret the liability clause in this context, as we were not sure that £5m and £10m liability per booking was correct or appropriate? We assume that the liability limit is applicable to the entire annual spend per supplier?
This is per each Order Contract or Contract as written, definitions can be found in Joint Schedule 1 definitions. If further understanding of interpretation is required please seek your own legal advice.
Answered
20/10/2021 16:30
32. Section 2.6 of the Core Terms requires that when "...the Supplier is approached by any Other Contracting Authority requesting Deliverables or substantially similar goods or services, the Supplier must tell them about this DPS Contract before accepting their order." Please could I ask how you envisage that this is to work in practice? What steps does the CCS plan to take to monitor contacts between DPS suppliers and non-DPS enquirers?
The terms are as written, if further understanding of interpretation is required please seek your own legal advice.
CCS will monitor this as part of its Supplier Relationship Management process.
Answered
20/10/2021 16:36
31. Reference Pricing matrix for SOTS, Standard OTS Training tab:
oIs this entire tab to be completed for each Learning Category (rather than in total across entire response or at a course level)? - there is no cell in the tab to identify which Learning Category it relates to.
oDoes the client recognise and accept that it is not possible to confirm a single price for a re-sit (cell D19) because each Learning Category includes multiple courses with wide ranging levels of cost for the exam element - therefore we will not be able to commit to a single price point and will, instead, have to describe approach in narrative in the text box (B20-D28)
oTable 2 - Does the client recognise and accept that these cost % will be an estimate because each Learning Category contains multiple courses with different weightings of cost components and therefore this will have to be an average based on an assumed weighting of course consumption
•Learning Category tab:
oCan we submit multiple options in column F (i.e. Virtual, and F-2-F and hybrid) all with same price point or do we need to create individual rows for each?
Many thanks
A separate spreadsheet is required for each Learning Category, please input the name of the Learning Category in Row 1 in the 3rd tab - 'Learning Category' so it is clear for the customer.
Yes, please describe this in the text box B20 - D28
Table 2 is a guide to help customers understand your pricing methodology.
Yes you can input multiple options in column F as long as they are at the same price point.
Answered
14/10/2021 13:36
30. Could you please help with us with the requirement for Cyber Essentials certification.
We have Certification for our company. We deliver all work via sub-contractors, who are typically solo trainers and coaches. They work on our cloud-based systems for everything they do and 'processing' data, but provide their own laptops and other devices.
Can you confirm if the requirement for all sub-contractors is to have their own Certification, or is working on our systems sufficient.
If they do require certification, is it sufficient for us to ensure that sub-contractors are certified on award of a contract?
All subcontractors that are needed to provide the service should also have Cyber Essentials as a minimum.
Please see RM6219 DPS Schedule 9 for reference.
Answered
15/10/2021 15:18
29. Course Examples/Definitions - Please could more guidance/definition be provided regarding the types of training applicable under "Standard Off-The-Shelf Training" as this is a very broad category? If possible please could some examples be provided?
E.g., would courses such as First Aid and Health & Safety courses be applicable to be procured under this route?
Standard Off The Shelf Training should be courses that are ready to be delivered that require no additional content or development. Once purchased they should be immediately made available to the customer to consume in whatever format has been agreed. Please refer to Appendix 1 in the Customer Needs document for a list of the Learning Category headings that SOTS training could be delivered under but yes First Aid and Health & Safety courses would be applicable.
Answered
13/10/2021 11:57
27. Q37 you have requested website link to quality assurance report. Please clarify your expectation of this as Quality assurance report is not usually in public domain. Thanks
This would be a link to your Quality Assurance Policy.
Answered
12/10/2021 10:08
26. In response to Q6. Are there any word count limits for the responses requiring free text answers in the DPSQ?
You have confirmed that there is a 300 word limit per question. However the text boxes only allow 300 characters, please confirm whether it is 300 words or characters? Thanks
Unfortunately this is a system error and will not be fully rectified until the 21st October. You can still progress with your application and you will be able to update the relevant questions to include further detail from the 22nd October onwards. We can only apologise for this error.
Answered
13/10/2021 16:49
25. Please could you tell me where within the DPS documentation we will find the terms and conditions that will apply to the cancellation of training events booked through a contract placed via the DPS? I've had a look at the Core Terms document but can't immediately see anything about this. Thanks.
This would form part of the Schedule 6 - Order form template and order schedules as agreed by buyer and supplier.
Answered
12/10/2021 10:10
24. In the 'LTS DPS Engagement Event' slide deck there was reference to 'Managed Service' as one of types of services to be offered under this Framework. My questions are as follows;
-Why was 'Managed Service' not included as a service type under this Framework?
-Is there still any routes to offer this service?
RM6145 - Learning & Development, already offers a Managed Service through Lot 6 that is delivered by EY. The services offered through RM6219 are intended to compliment RM6145 and not compete with it.
Answered
08/10/2021 12:36
23. As a training provider we have a number of training consultants we use to support the delivery of our training. They are not directly employed by us, so would you class them as 'sub-contractors' under this DPS? It would be difficult for us to provide details of their percentage contribution without knowing the awarded contracts as they each specialise in different areas.
Yes these would be considered as sub contractors under the DPS. The % is only an indicative number, but you must enter 1% or more to progress with your application.
Answered
13/10/2021 12:01
21. We understand that the platform will be open to buyers on the 29th October, can you confirm whether the suppliers need to be 'live' and visible to suppliers by this date?
There is no formal requirement to be 'appointed' or 'live' by the 29th October, suppliers can join this DPS at any time. But customers who access the DPS on the 29th will only be able see suppliers who are 'appointed' on or before that date.
Answered
08/10/2021 08:39
20. If we do not yet know who our subcontractors are - and do not have time now to engage them formally - are we able to continue with the response and update CCS later when we have formed an eco-system aligned to Standard Award requirements?
You must detail who are your key subcontractors as part of the DPS application. We do not expect you to list every potential subcontractor, as this will inevitably change over time anyway but any subcontractor used must be recorded on Schedule 6 - Order form template and order schedules.
Answered
08/10/2021 08:45