Clarifications

35. We are tying up our application for the Research & Insights framework, however many of our clients are unwilling to sign the Attachment 1 due to the what appears to be quasi-contractually binding commitments between the two parties. We often work with high profile clients on commercially sensitive subjects, so it is understandable that this would be problematic for them. While not in the same format, would a signed letter from the client confirming satisfaction with the work done suffice, alongside the contact details which the CCS can use to verify its statement?

34. As a follow up to Clarification Q16 we submitted: we note that under the Frequently Asked Questions PPN 06/21: Taking Account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts it states - In-Scope Organisations should take action to apply PPN 06/21 when procuring goods and/or services and/or works which are subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, where there is an anticipated contract value of £5 million per annum and above (excluding VAT) unless it is not related and proportionate to the contract. PPN 06/21 applies to the procurement of framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems only where it is related and proportionate, and where it is anticipated that the individual value of any contract to be awarded under the framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system is £5 million per annum and above (ex VAT). ... Does PPN 06/21 applied to call offs from frameworks or Dynamic Purchasing Systems? PPN 06/21 applies to the procurement of framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems only where it is related and proportionate, and where it is anticipated that the individual value of any contract to be awarded under the framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system is £5 million per annum and above (ex VAT). Where a call off is being made from a framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system which included PPN 06/21, the contracting authority may verify that the supplier continues to meet the Carbon Reduction Plan requirements prior to entering into contract. Therefore as a social research organisation we have never bid for a contract that is more than £5 million per annum and believe that PPN06/21 does not apply as the contracts we would be bidding for would not be related or proportionate. Therefore we are confused that our access to those contracts via the R&I DPS is being blocked through the necessity of having a CAP in place as part of the application.

33. We note the answer to Clarification question 8 regarding the requirement for a Carbon Reduction plan to be produced on contracts over £5 million. However can you confirm whether a supplier is required to have a Carbon Reduction Plan in place to be accepted onto the Research and Insights DPS and if they answer no to Q51 on carbon net zero that this will be an automatic fail on their application to the DPS

32. Q168: Is it compulsory to provide this letter outlining the company's current cash and credit position?

31. Q166: According to section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 we are lawfully entitled to claim exemption from having our annual accounts externally audited. Do we still need to provide audited accounts for the last 2 years?

30. Q154: Does this question refer to all sub-contractors that we might potentially use throughout the life of this framework or is it any sub-contractor relating to the examples given in Q150 to 152?

29. Q150: Can you please confirm if this refers to all contracts in the last 3 years or just the contracts which were procured through the current DPS Framework.

28. Q144: Is the response to the question a pass/ fail? In the procurement notice it states: 'Public procurement of contracts with a full life value of £10 million and above and duration of 12 months and above should be used to support skills development and delivery of the apprenticeship commitment.' We don't anticipate bidding for any individual projects with a full life value of £10 million and above or does this refer to the framework in its entirety?

27. Q51: The procurement notice outlines that Carbon Reduction Plans are only required if suppliers are tendering for projects with a minimum value of £5million. We would not be tendering for projects of that size and would like confirmation if it is required to submit a Carbon Reduction Plan for appointment on to the framework?

26. -Clause 14.3 of the DPS Core Terms: we've not had a contract condition to send the buyer copies of government data every 6 months and this seems to us to be unnecessary and actually not good practice. What is meant by this clause? Is the spirit of this more about sending copies upon request? If so, can this clause be changed? -Supply chain visibility schedule: this states that the supplier shall "advertise on Contracts Finder all Sub-Contract opportunities arising from or in connection with the provision of the Deliverables above a minimum threshold of £25,000 that arise during the Contract Period" with a further clause that this only applies "after the Effective Date". The term "Effective Date" is unclear to us. Are we correct in interpreting this to mean that if we name specific sub-contractors in a tender submission for work under the framework then we do not need to advertise on Contracts Finder? - DPS Schedule 5 does not state what the Management Levy amount/percentage is. Please could you confirm the amount/percentage of fee due as the Management Levy?

25. Attachment 1a Letter of Confirmation Template is drafted on the assumption that the customer organisation is a corporate body. Public Sector customers are not generally corporate bodies. Can we modify the template for a non-corporate customer organisation?

24. Could you please provide clarification on what evidence needs to be included in the 'bank letter outlining current cash and credit positions'? We have requested this from our bank, however they were unclear on what exactly was required. Similarly, we assume most of the financial requirements (i.e. profit and loss, assets and liabilities etc.) are covered by the information in our audited accounts, unless CCS requires more detail. Please could you clarify if other evidence is required, or if the relevant extracts from our accounts would be sufficient?

23. Good morning, Can you clarify what is required as 'certificates' for our major projects?

22. We have noticed that the framework is already in use. We are currently unable to finalise our application due to completing the Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). We have not previously been required to have a CRP as we do not bid for opportunities over £5million. Is there any way that we can submit our application with the agreement that the CRP will be updated within two weeks of this date? This should be before the submission of any bids and before award.

21. How should new companies that do not have a supplier payment history answer questions 66 to 70 in the DPSQ regarding supplier payments?

20. Please could you confirm if professional memberships will be accepted as recognised, formal qualification?

19. Please could you confirm if alternative trainee programmes and evidenced commitment to ongoing staff's skills development will be accepted? As per Procurement Policy Note - Supporting Apprenticeships and Skills Through Public Procurement, Action Note 14/15 27 August 2015, Annex A: Schedule 1: Apprenticeships are a valuable, but not the only, means by which a contractor can provide evidence. For example the recruitment of experienced staff that are offered on-going training could also be a means of maintaining skills levels.

18. Paragraph 73 states that a response is not necessary for question 135 of the Selection Questionnaire.. It does not state that questions 133 and 134 are not applicable, although they are similar questions relating to contract examples. Can you please clarify?

17. Good Afternoon 1.How do I edit Q161 of the Standard Questionnaire, apologies I can't seem to find that option. 2. Although we are not relying on our Subcontractors to meet the obligations under the DPS Appointment Form, however depending on tender opportunities we may use subcontractors depending on the specifications / area of expertise - i.e. strategic advisers , therefore can you confirm that we will not be rejected if we do not complete the subcontractors question. Thanks

16. Good afternoon, there was a notification on 25.11.21 stating that a new version of Attachment 4 was amended in the Bid Pack, however, when I downloaded the bid pack there was an Attachment 5 Additional Subcontractors but last modified 28.10.21 , could you advise. Thanks Notification Attachment 4 amendmenta Dear Supplier, please be advised that a new Version of "Attachment 4 - Additional Sub-Contractor(s)" has been added to the Bid Pack to replace the previous version which contained spreadsheet drop down errors. Regards Crown Commercial Service