Clarifications
There are 119 clarifications for this DPS
48. Hello, the SQ questionnaire asks to provide the Companies House registration number. Our Company however is not based in the UK or Crown Dependencies: we are therefore wondering whether we need to leave this blank or indicate Not Applicable.
Thanks,
With regards to your company registration please provide the same details you used to register as a supplier on the Supplier Registration website.
Answered
17/11/2022 17:16
46. Hi, I was wondering when do we begin the Supplier Evidence Submission stage (where we have to upload all the documents). Is it immediately after the Selection Questionnaire or is it later on once we have been accepted?
We will request documents required during your assessment and others such as proof of insurances, these will be requested following appointment onto the DPS.
Answered
05/05/2022 12:12
45. We are completing the Artificial Intelligence section of the Selection Questionnaire and on questions 68. (Please select the 'Scope of Engagement' for which your organisation is able to provide. Tick all that apply.) and 69. (Please select the 'Type of Artificial Intelligence'
services for which your organisation is able to provide.) there is 'GUIDANCE' in bold but there is no link. Please could you inform me of where this guidance is?
In Attachment 6 - SQ and DPSQ v2 (2).pdf - Page 223 of the bidpack you will find guidance to the right of the questions.
Answered
05/05/2022 12:12
44. In the Selection Questionnaire - DPS_PROFILE_SPARK, SQ Evidence Submission (questions 166 to 185) there are documents to be attached. Should I attach the signed documents in my native language or excel tables in English language version? Or Should I create the English version, convert them to PDF and sign before attaching.
You must submit your response to the Selection Questionnaire and any attached documents in English and through the SRS platform only. Suppliers should not make any amendments to the format of documents.
Answered
15/02/2022 15:02
43. We note the RM6200 AI DPS runs to 04/03/2022. Is the intent to extend the end date of the DPS, re-issue the DPS or close the DPS after this date?
The Artificial Intelligence DPS has been extended for a duration of 12 months, to allow an appropriate amount of time to design the replacement agreement. The new expiry date for this DPS is therefore 02/03/2023.
Answered
15/02/2022 15:03
42. The Supplier Questionnaire lists a very large range of CPV codes. Are all relevant to the AI DPS or only a subset?
The CPV codes advertised in the contract notice for this DPS are:
Programming services of application software - 72212000
Business analysis consultancy services - 72221000
Programming services - 72243000
Systems consultancy services - 72246000
Software development services - 72262000
Software implementation services - 72263000
Software consultancy services - 72266000
Data services - 72300000
These are the ones we identified as most relevant, although it may be there are other CPV codes that a customer identifies the products and services in this industry by.
Answered
20/01/2022 09:21
41. I am already a DOS5 supplier .
I wish to be a supplier for AI technology and platform . Can I check how do I get registered as a supplier ?
The Artificial Intelligence DPS can be applied for by clicking the "Access as a Supplier" option within the DPS landing page. https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps#technology
Answered
08/04/2021 12:33
39. Hi,
Please can we have an expected date of decision for the Award.
Thanks
This was answered via Salesforce on case reference 00888115 on 23/03/2021 asking for clarity on the question asked.
Answered
25/03/2021 13:25
38. Please could you confirm whether when clause 9.1.2, within the ICT Services document, states "The Buyer shall own the IPR" this means that the buyer shall own any New IPR (and not existing IPR)?
Supplier is advised to seek their own legal advice if necessary.
Answered
24/02/2021 14:16
37. As per the UK Working Time Directive, the 60 hours working time cap only applies on a rolling 3 month basis. Can you confirm this also applies to conditions as set out by the CCS?
Supplier is advised to seek their own legal advice if necessary.
Answered
24/02/2021 14:16
36. Can you clarify the working hours requirement in the CSR Annex and confirm whether they apply to DPS projects only, or all projects by the supplier/firm?
Supplier is advised to seek their own legal advice if necessary.
Answered
24/02/2021 14:17
35. Is DSPT compliance acceptable as evidence of cyber essentials, since DSPT incorporates cyber essentials?https://www.dsptoolkit.nhs.uk/News/51 (4th bullet)
You are required to confirm as part of your DPS submission, that you have Cyber Essentials basic certification in place, as a minimum, at Question 155 of the SQ. If you have Cyber Essentials Plus you can select this option at Question 156 of the SQ. A 'Yes' response to either of these questions is acceptable. If you select 'No' to Question 155 of the SQ and confirm this response at Question 5 of the DPSQ by selecting 'Yes' that you do not hold a valid Cyber Essentials basic certificate this will be classed as a 'Fail' and your application will be rejected until you have a valid Cyber Essentials basic certificate.
Please note that Cyber Essentials was developed because neither ISO27001 nor other considered standards were sufficiently prescriptive to defeat common internet based threats as per the PPN.
Answered
16/12/2020 10:55
34. Further to `our clarification question submitted on 27th October regarding the Performance Indicator in DPS Schedule 4 (DPS Management) set at ≥ 95% in respect to Suppers 'Responsiveness to Invitation to Tenders', we note the response you provided by email on 4th November and we are seeking further clarity.
Clause 10.4.1 of the Core Terms provide that where there's a consistent repeated failure to meet the Performance Indicators in DPS Schedule 4 (DPS Management) that CCS or the buyer may terminate the contract.
For those Suppliers who already provide services under multiple CCS Frameworks and have to consider more globally the availability of their resources in order to be able to bid, then the consequences of this obligation, should it not be met, are significant. Additionally, Suppliers may prefer not to answer to the bid because they consider they have concerns about the technical or legal feasibility or commercial viability of the services (e.g. outside their normal line of business, not aligned with their code of business ethics, not financially reasonable).
Therefore please can you advise that Suppliers are able on a case by case basis to solely determine if they wish to participate in a procurement and that, should they decide not to that they will provide CCS with a justified reason for not bidding, but they would not be at risk of the framework being terminated (only Suppliers who would not have provided the Authority with a legitimate concern to avoid bidding, would incur such a termination risk).
Suppliers should participate in further competitions when identified by appropriate filters using the Platform. A repeated failure to bid on further competitions without an acceptable reason may result in the Supplier being suspended from the DPS, in accordance with Clause 10.8 (Partially ending and suspending the contract), for a period as decided by CCS.
Please refer to the DPS Schedules held within the CCS Website in particular Schedule 4
Answered
16/12/2020 10:56
33. Appreciate if we can get a response to the CQ below so we can proceed with Accepting the terms and conditions please -
The Performance Indicator (PI) # 9 of the document - DPS Schedule 4 (DPS Management) states that, the supplier's Responsiveness to Invitation to Tenders should be ≥ 95% per Quarter. Please can the CCS kindly clarify if this implies that Suppliers are obliged to bid for deals ≥ 95% of the times on the call offs coming out of the framework per quarter or the expectation is to just the supplier acknowledges back to the authority with a YES / NO citing the intention to respond to the individual call off tender. Please clarify.
Suppliers should participate in further competitions when identified by appropriate filters using the Platform. A repeated failure to bid on further competitions without an acceptable reason may result in the Supplier being suspended from the DPS, in accordance with Clause 10.8 (Partially ending and suspending the contract), for a period as decided by CCS.
Please refer to the DPS Schedules held within the CCS Website in particular Schedule 4.
Answered
16/12/2020 10:57
32. Could you clarify the situation regarding subcontractors please?
We do not subcontract directly, but elements of connectivity would be installed by the underlying fibre provider - would these be classed as subcontractors for the purposes of answering SQ21
We do not require all Subcontractors to be disclosed. You need only disclose those Subcontractors who directly contribute to your ability to meet your obligations under the DPS Appointment Form (including under any Contract Agreement following a Competition Procedure). There is no need to specify Subcontractors providing general services to the Supplier (such as window cleaners etc.) that indirectly enable the Supplier to perform the DPS Appointment Form. Please read the definition of Subcontractor in the DPS Appointment Form.
If you are successfully appointed to the DPS and are awarded a RM6200 Artificial Intelligence DPS Appointment, any changes to arrangements in relation to Subcontracting and Group of Economic Operators arrangements which are made following the award will be dealt with in accordance with DPS Schedule 6 (Key Subcontractors) of the DPS Appointment Form.
After being appointed to the DPS any additional Subcontractors can be disclosed at that time.
Answered
16/12/2020 10:58
31. The Performance Indicator (PI) # 9 of the document - DPS Schedule 4 (DPS Management) states that, the supplier's Responsiveness to Invitation to Tenders should be ≥ 95% per Quarter. Please can the CCS kindly clarify if this implies that Suppliers are obliged to bid for deals ≥ 95% of the times on the call offs coming out of the framework per quarter or the expectation is to just the supplier acknowledges back to the authority with a YES / NO citing the intention to respond to the individual call off tender. Please clarify.
DPS Schedule 4 (DPS Management) Para 3.5 states ""Suppliers should participate in further competitions when identified by appropriate filters using the Platform. A repeated failure to bid on further competitions without an acceptable reason may result in the Supplier being suspended from the DPS, in accordance with Clause 10.8 (Partially ending and suspending the contract), for a period as decided by CCS.""
If there is a justified reason as to why a Supplier were unable to bid; for example, if a Supplier felt they did not meet the customer requirements or if a supplier had concerns about the technical or legal feasibility, or commercial viability of the services, CCS will on a case by case basis determine if this is a justified reason for not bidding.
Answered
07/12/2020 07:44
30. Hi, it says in the bid pack that questions 157-161 you are not required to answer. However, it won't let me progress without answering them. Can you please clarify? Thank you
There are questions in the Selection Questionnaire that are not applicable for this RM6200 Artificial Intelligence procurement, therefore please note, a response is NOT required to the questions as detailed below:
Part 1: (Contract Example 1) - Q133
Part 1: (Contract Example 2) - Q134
Part 1: (Contract Example 3) - Q135
Part 3: (Steel) Q147 - Q149
Part 3: (Supply Chain) Q150 - Q154
Part 3: (NHS Questions) Q157 - Q161
Please check your previous responses as you may have responded to a question which has opened up a response to these questions. If you have any persisting issue my colleagues at NQC will be happy to assist you. Please use the 'contact us' tab at the foot of the Supplier Registration Service (SRS) homepage or call them on 0161 413 7982.
Answered
16/12/2020 10:59
29. How can you edit the SQ Supplier Response follow submission please? We accidently progressed a step too far in the questionnaire and would like to go back to update our details. Please advise?
CCS can confirm that the SQ section is non amenable once submitted. In this instance we advise contacting NQC directly in order to submit a new SQ. They can be reached +44 (0) 161 413 7982.
Answered
30/09/2020 14:32
28. We have been appointed to this DPS- How we will be notified of opportunities/invitations to tender etc? Will we be alerted via the CCS e sourcing suite?
Dear Bidder,
CCS can confirm that notification of further competition will be issued directly by the buying organisation via email. The buying organisation may choose to use the CCS esourcing suite, however can use their own e-tender system
Answered
30/09/2020 14:32
27. What equivalent certifications are there to Cyber Essentials / Plus? Is ISO:27001 certification a suitable alternative to Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials has five requirements:
- Configure and deploy a firewall
- Make use of secure configurations for devices and software
- Make use of access control to prevent unauthorized access to data and services
- Protect yourself against malware such as viruses
- Keep devices and software updated
A certification is equivalent if it demonstrates explicitly that you have met the five requirements to the same or higher standard as would be required by the Cyber Essentials scheme.
ISO:27001 consists of 14 controls, but these are not as specific as the Cyber Essentials requirements. For example, one of the controls is ""Make use of secure configurations for network infrastructure"". This does not necessarily require you to configure and deploy a firewall, although most of the time you would expect that's part of what an organisation would do for that control, it's not explicitly required.
So the question is whether your ISO:27001 certification from a trusted third-party explicitly demonstrates that you meet all five of the requirements under the Cyber Essentials scheme. It's not enough that you probably meet the requirements, or that typically your IT support team would meet the control by doing a specific thing, the certification would need to show that you do in fact meet the requirements.
Answered
07/12/2020 07:45
