Clarifications
There are 214 clarifications for this DPS
55. I've submitted the SQ and can see a notification in my workflow about providing evidence to support my self-assessment, but I can't see anyway of responding to this and providing the required information. Please advise. Also, there was nowhere in the SQ to indicate what services we can provide, so I'm not sure we have completed the DPSQ. Will we be asked to do this once the SQ has been assessed? If so, on average how long does this assessment take? Thank you.
Your application is not currently visible to CCS and you will need to contact the system service providers NQC for support in moving to this stage. You can reach them via 'Contact Us' found in help at the top right corner of the system or emailing support@NQC.com
If your application meets all requirements you will automatically become appointed. We will contact you for any outstanding requirements and this process can take up to 10 working days.
Answered
08/09/2021 13:59
54. One of our 'contract example' clients; a global bank have come back to us and stated that they are unwilling to sign the Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example) as the document bears no watermark or similar identification markings to align it with the CCS or any other government service.
They are willing to allow us to share with CCS a signed copy of the contract and/or a Tasking Order, that contains the same information.
The 'client' is happy to act as a referee regarding our work in-line with the confirmation contract example.
Are we able to proceed in this manner, providing a substitute of our Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example)?
The Letter of Confirmation of works documents 1a and 1b have now been updated with Crown Commercial Service headers and are available in the bidpack.
Answered
08/09/2021 17:01
53. Can you confirm which of the below are mandatory for acceptance:
Certified Cyber Security Consultancy - Risk Assessment
Certified Cyber Security Consultancy - Risk Management
Certified Cyber Security Consultancy - Security Architecture
Certified Cyber Security Consultancy - Audit & Review
Certified Cyber Security Consultancy - Incident Management
Penetration Testing: CHECK
Tailored Evaluation: CTAS
Cyber Essentials basic certificate is required and you can apply at the link below.
You can download a free copy of the questions you will be assessed against when applying for Cyber Essentials basic.
https://iasme.co.uk/cyber-essentials/free-download-of-cyber-essentials-self-assessment-questions/
There is also an FAQ at the bottom of the page under 'FIND OUT MORE'.
Answered
08/09/2021 13:58
52. Can you please confirm that question 153 does not need to be answered, as it is following on from questions 150-152 which you have already confirmed do not need to be answered?
CCS can confirm that Selection Questionnaire question 150-154 are not applicable for the Communications Marketplace.
Answered
26/08/2021 12:21
51. You mention that you should refer to the contract notice for the CPV codes associated with communications marketplace. Can you please confirm where this contract notice is as we don't seem to be able to find it.
The Contract Notice is located on Find a Tender Service. https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk
The publication reference is: 2021/S 000-018833
and the publication date was: 4 August 2021.
Answered
26/08/2021 12:20
50. 1. The CPV codes on the Questionnaire do not match the capabilities listed on attachment 1 - communications marketplace service matrix. The CPV codes do not appear to be as comprehensive as this list. Will we get the opportunity to give a more comprehensive breakdown of our capabilities at a later stage?
2. Question 157 (Is your organisation registered on the Department of Health (DoH) Master Indemnity Agreement (MIA) list? Is not relevant to us because we don't work in healthcare so we will be answering no. Will this answer be expected, so we will not be penalised for it?
You should indicate which services you are able to provide at questions 73-113 within the DPS section of the questionnaire.
CCS can confirm that Selection Questionnaire question 157-161 are not applicable for the Communications Marketplace.
Answered
26/08/2021 12:19
49. Are sub-contractors any company or specialist service used by us to complete work - ie those who are not staff/ kit or materials we need to hire or purchase?
CCS provides a definition within Joint Shedule 5 (Definitions), and Joint Schedule 6 (Key Subcontractors) provides further information regarding subcontractors. These schedules can be found in the Bid Pack at Attachment 7a - Part 3 (Terms and Conditions).
Answered
26/08/2021 12:18
48. How do you define a sub-contractor eg. do all companies who supply parts of services we then supply to clients count? Would all freelance individuals count? How easy it is to add/remove sub-contractors after our application? And does the DUNS minimum rating apply to sub-contractors as well?
CCS provides a definition within Joint Schedule 5 (Definitions), and Joint Schedule 6 (Key Subcontractors) provides further information regarding subcontractors. These schedules can be found in the Bid Pack at Attachment 7a - Part 3 (Terms and Conditions).
You can update your list of subcontractors following appointment.
The credit reference agency score applies your organisation and any organisation that is part of a Group of Economic Operators (Consortium).
Answered
26/08/2021 12:15
47. Are questions 150-154 applicable if we haven't outsourced contracts in worth of excess of £20 million?
CCS can confirm that Selection Questionnaire question 150-154 are not applicable for the Communications Marketplace.
Answered
25/08/2021 17:56
46. We are a media owner, not an agency. We sell recruitment advertising campaigns on our owned channels (digital, print) to public sector bodies. Given that we are not an agency are we still eligible to join this framework?
You can only register on the marketplace if you can provide the services listed.
Answered
25/08/2021 17:54
45. Once appointed to the DPS, are all briefs competitive or is there an expenditure threshold whereby they are not competitive?
CCS can confirm that there is no expenditure threshold. The terms and conditions of the Communications Marketplace require that all shortlisted agencies be invited to compete against a clients brief. Competition rules are subject to each individual client's policies and regulations.
Answered
25/08/2021 17:41
44. If, having been appointed to the DPS, we decide not to compete for any briefs received, will we be subject to a penalty or 'mark against us'?
Agencies will not be penalised if they decide not to compete, however CCS will encourage participation in order to meet client requirements.
Answered
25/08/2021 11:01
43. Are you able to provide a list of current entities who would use this DPS?
The Communications Marketplace place is available to Central Government and Wider Public Sector organisations. To learn more please read the buyer need document contained within the bidpack.
This link will ask to download a word document with a list of organisations.
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a0c9fe89-0239-46f6-a871-a10aae2e3c2a
Answered
25/08/2021 10:57
42. Please can you clarify at what point you may need additional evidence? Is this between submitting the SQ and gaining access to the DPSQ? If so what time period should we expect to wait to receive notification that we need to supply evidence, and how long will we have to supply the required evidence?
CCS may need to request evidence from you as part of the assessing stage (see READ FIRST RM6124 DPS Needs document for further information), this would ordinarily be within 10 days of your submission. A Client may also request evidence from you as part of their Order Procedure.
Answered
01/09/2021 16:53
41. There doesn't appear to be a rate card requirement - for either inclusion/submission or that we will be marked against, please could you confirm this and how rates/scoping costs would work on the new Marketplace?
There will be no rate card requirement, however CCS will be providing customer guidance on best practice pricing models and mechanisms for customer further competitions.
Answered
23/08/2021 16:35
40. Attachment 1 listing the services that can be selected, under Inhouse Agency Services, what do you mean? Is this when our staff are seconded to work within your organisation or is there another meaning?
Thank you for clarifying
Yes, that is the meaning. Inhouse Agency Services refers to agency services that are provided in-house within the customer organisation.
Answered
20/08/2021 10:24
39. Is it possible to submit my response and then once we receive countersigned copies of the Letters of confirmation of works to upload them or should we wait till we have countersigned letters?
You should submit your response once you have fully completed the questionnaire and have your letters of confirmation of works ready to upload.
Answered
19/08/2021 11:13
38. For the contract examples and attachment 1a and 1b letter of confirmation is it possible to change the line 'has satisfactorily completed research works' instead to 'has satisfactorily completed communications works' as this is more reflective of this marketplace bid?
Thank you making us aware of this error, the version in the Bid Pack is correct. We are making arrangements for the system version to be updated.
Answered
19/08/2021 11:12
37. Hello.
Please could you clarify the deadline for this registration process? You state on the one hand that there is a deadline of 5/9/21, however you also state that agencies can register at any time?
Thank you
You can apply for the Communications Marketplace DPS at any point up to it's closing date of 5 Sept 2025.
Answered
18/08/2021 17:54
36. Please can you confirm that there is no deadline for the submission of the supplier questionnaire?
You can apply for the Communications Marketplace DPS at any point up to it's closing date of 5 Sept 2025.
Answered
18/08/2021 17:54
