Clarifications

2533. Can you clarify what the deadline date is for applying to join SPARK, we understood the contract was until April 2025 and therefore could apply anytime up to that point?

2521. Our organisation doesn't have cyber essentials or cyber essentials plus and we don't have any plans to apply as we already have SOC2 controls in place. We have a document that maps the Cyber Essential controls to our organisations SOC2 controls that we're happy to share. It states our application for Spark will be rejected if we don't state we're going to be onboarding CE or CEP, how should we respond if we already have strong security measures in place?

2505. Good Morning. We are planning to supply an AI medical technology consisting of an AI software supporting lung endoscopic navigation, which is placed on the market together with its dedicated hardware. The software and the hardware are non-separable (i.e. shall be provided as a system) since the hardware is part of the Regulatory Approval (CE marking) of the system. The hardware is the PC running the software and providing for the data connection with the other Operating Room imaging equipment that provides real-time images that are processed by the AI software to provide support to the Healthcare professional in catheter/device navigation during pulmonary procedures. Does the SPARK DPS apply to the system?

2464. Question 75 requests us to tick our security classification either Offical or Above Official. Our contracts do not require this level of security so we have not applied for this level of security clearance. How do I answer this question to move on to the remaining questions when the system requires a box to be ticked?

2235. Is there a deadline for submission to be awarded onto the framework?

2205. Hi,we are expert provider of emerging technology advsiroy/discovery services for procurement and supply chain capability? can we fit in to SPARK DPS? or you must have a technology to sale?

2180. Are buyers able to Direct Award to a Supplier on the SPARKS DPS?

2174. As a US based company do we require to have a UK Company Registration Number to complete an application to join Spark DPS?

2155. F02: Contract notice Notice reference: 2022/S 000-007068 Published 15 March 2022, 10:45pm Dear Sir or Madam, Could you please clarify if suppliers which are currently listed on SPARK RM6094, must (re-)submit their (previous) tender by 15/04/2022 if they wish to stay listed on SPARK beyond its current expiry date 15/04/2023? Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely

1155. We have almost completed the Selection Questionnaire, but I have a couple of questions about the Cyber Essentials certification. 1) We outsource our IT services to a subcontractor. I assume therefore, it is the subcontractor that needs to have the certification. We ourselves do not manage any of the servers etc. 2) The subcontractor will be applying for certification. Can we, therefore, submit the Selection Questionnaire? I realise we will not be able to bid for any tenders until the subcontractor has the certification.

1182. We are a lead provider with one main sub-contractor for this DPSQ. Please can we request use of a contract example from our main/only sub-contractor (as they are a technology specialist). Under normal tender processes the use of an example from a subcontractor is normally permitted in support of supplier qualification (SQ).

1156. We have almost completed the Selection Questionnaire, but I have a couple of questions about the Cyber Essentials certification. 1) We outsource our IT services to a subcontractor. I assume therefore, it is the subcontractor that needs to have the certification. We ourselves do not manage any of the servers etc. 2) The subcontractor will be applying for certification. Can we, therefore, submit the Selection Questionnaire? I realise we will not be able to bid for any tenders until the subcontractor has the certification.

1183. Does the contract example (reference in attachment 7) have to be a legally agreed contract or can it describe work in progress/development?

1167. Our bidding structure for this DPS includes working with a partner/sub-contractor. Following which, our strongest contract example (relevant for this DPS) sits with our sub-contractor, with us as the lead bidder bringing additional capabilities, scale and governance. To stand the best chance of securing a place on the DPS please can we use a contract example from the sub-contractor. This will ensure we can demonstrate full technological capabilities.

1184. I have just submitted a selection questionnaire and I am now in the process of completing SPARK DPS. When I go to my dashboard the selection questionnaire says that it is still submitting and there is also a submit button at the bottom of the screen. When I click on the submit button it is taking me to questions which asks me to upload profit and loss accounts, audited accounts etc. Is this a requirement at this stage? Also, I incorrectly answered Q127 and need to change it, is there a way this question can be amended?

1186. Hello, we launched our solution for remote monitoring in September 2019, our first public sector contract is about to be signed in the next week and has taken this long to go through the entire process as well as delays due to COVID. Can I upload the contract and provide an amended contract once a wet signature has been applied next week?

1187. In reviewing my submission for DPS Registration 2, I can see that I have inadvertently provided the wrong information at questions 51 and 52 and there appears to be no way of editing these. Can you advise how I can update the 4000 character text area with the correct information (Q51) and upload the correct Letter of Confirmation of Works (Q52)?

1190. Hi - my DPS supplier questionnaire has completed but I didn't finalise the supporting information for the Contract Example? It won't let me edit my response now. Please can you help?

1254. Is the SPARK DPS open for new submissions?

1258. We have a question regarding question 140 on the Selection Questionnaire for Spark. We are a French limited (SAS) company and our level of Employers Liability cover is 2m euros per year (correct & appropriate under French law), the rest is covered by individual insurance and social security. Therefore, our overall level is probably equivalent or perhaps above the UK 5m pounds required level. How do we assimilate this in question 140? Or do we have to raise our cover to meet 5m pounds UK threshold ? Thanks