Clarifications
There are 224 clarifications for this DPS
230. Dear support team.
We have recently submitted an application to your communications marketplace DPS and have received emails regarding gaps in our submission. We were advised to contact someone at this address.
There are a couple of points we'll require further clarity on before we can proceed to take the required steps to complete a valid submission.
1.Insurances - Is Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance of 5m or more, Public Liability Insurance of 1m or more, and Professional Indemnity Insurance of 1m or more a requirement to be considered?
a.
i.We are a small company of just 2 directors, so although we hold professional indemnity insurance at a lower level, we do not currently employer any staff, and offer digital and print marketing services only.
2.Cyber Essentials requirement - Could you please confirm if Cyber Essentials Level One is enough or if Cyber Essentials Plus is required.
I will look forward to hearing back so we can proceed accordingly.
Many thanks
Good Afternoon,
Here is the essential criteria for insurances:
● Cyber essentials/Cyber essentials plus accreditation
● £1m Public Liability insurance
● £5m Employer Liability Insurance
● £1m Professional Indemnity Insurance
Answered
10/04/2025 16:05
229. I'm trying to register for the CCS Communications Market Place RM6124 as a supplier, but as I am going through the questionnaire it is asking for two examples of actual contracts that we have with clients.
We of course have strict confidentiality clauses on all of the work we do and are also governed by data protection regulations so are simply unable to provide the details of our contracts in the way that you require.
Surely there must be some way around this? You can't seriously expect suppliers to provide actual contracts to access this marketplace as these are commercially confidential? And it is unacceptable to expect that we can simply ask clients if it the are OK with revealing their contract details.
Contract Examples need to be concluded and signed to be valid. The information required does not have to be too detailed and information required is provided on the template examples on the question.
Please refer to paragraph 83 of the DPS needs document within the bid pack for guidance as to how CCS handles confidential or commercially sensitive information
Answered
04/04/2025 15:43
228. We understand that a signed Letter of Confirmation of Works is required as part of the submission process. However, in many cases, clients may be unable or unwilling to sign such documents due to internal policies, administrative constraints, or organizational transitions.
This creates a challenge for agencies that have successfully delivered projects but cannot obtain formal client confirmation, ultimately limiting opportunities for capable suppliers and restricting CCS from engaging with high-quality providers.
To ensure compliance while minimizing inconvenience to clients, we would appreciate your guidance on acceptable alternative evidence, such as: Invoices for completed work, Formal proposals detailing services provided, Work orders or other client-issued documentation (if available).
Given that requiring official client signatures for multiple bids globally can create unnecessary friction in business relationships, we believe a more flexible approach would benefit all parties. Please let us know if CCS considers such alternatives valid.
All suppliers need to be treated fairly in onboarding to the DPS and the requirement for RM1624 is that they present prior proof of 2 contract examples of relevant work that has been concluded, which is countersigned by the client/s in question
The documents do not need to contain any commercially or security sensitive information; they are simply a reference provided by the client that the supplier has completed work in the relevant field and provides CCS with the guarantee that the supplier is qualified to apply for the DPS.
Answered
10/04/2025 16:08
227. This question relates to question 224 where the answer to our question stated that completion of an annual service contract could be used as evidence.
However, our organisation is a start-up, being only incorporated on 14 February this year. We have started delivering the service and can obtain evidence that it is fully in place, meeting the delivery quality standards required by our customers.
Could you clarify whether A) a start-up service organisations like ours, being in business for less than a year, can qualify for DPS or B) do you require such a venture to have a track record of at least a year before they can be considered?
If A) is it possible to approve the evidence from early contract delivery subject to (say) quarterly re-validation from customers, until the first year has passed?
All suppliers need to be treated fairly in onboarding to the DPS and the requirement for RM1624 is that they present prior proof of 2 contract examples of relevant work that has been concluded, which is countersigned by the client/s in question
The documents do not need to contain any commercially or security sensitive information; they are simply a reference provided by the client that the supplier has completed work in the relevant field and provides CCS with the guarantee that the supplier is qualified to apply for the DPS.
Answered
10/04/2025 16:08
226. Most of the contracts we have are long-term and ongoing, so we are unable to use them as example contracts. Does the contract need to have been wholly performed within the last 3 years, for example can we use an contract that began 4 years ago and finished 6 months ago.
The contract needs to have concluded in the last 3 years therefore your example scenario is an accepted evidence
Answered
25/03/2025 15:05
225. Most of the contracts we have are long-term and ongoing, so we are unable to use them as example contracts. Does the contract need to have been wholly performed within the last 3 years, for example can we use an contract that began 4 years ago and finished 6 months ago.
The contract needs to have concluded in the last 3 years therefore your example scenario is an accepted evidence
Answered
25/03/2025 15:04
224. We are a start-up supplying an on-going service to help Local Authorities provide their data to an aggregated site so that the public can access information without having to know which LA boundary the subject of their search is located within. (an example of joined-up government)
For example, if I were to look at the Food Standards Agency website, I can find the Food Hygiene rating of a restaurant in London by name without having to look at the relevant section within the websites of Camden, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham etc.
We have been asked
As per the DPS needs document, for RM6124 the contract examples must be for work that has completed (i.e. the end date must be in the past).
However, because the deliverable is not a physical item but an on-going service, renewable annually, there is no completion event as such. [Unless the contract expires or is terminated!]
Before we go back to our customers asking them to make a statement in this regard, could you clarify that satisfactory commencement of the on-going service will be sufficient to meet your requirements for RM6124 please?
an annual contract which has concluded (even if it has been renewed) can be used as evidence as it would display that you provided a service for the duration prior to renewal
Answered
25/03/2025 15:09
223. 1. Are we permitted to subcontract work to companies based outside of the UK?
2. The main bidder has the certifications, insurance and eligibility criteria mentioned in the bid docs. Is it compulsory for the subcontractor to have the certifications and insurance? If yes, can the subcontractor obtain it before the contract award and after the project commences?
3. Have you set any financial conditions, such as minimum turnover, that apply both to the main bidder and the subcontractors?
4. Are subcontractors required to provide their insurance coverage, or will the main bidder's insurance suffice?
5. Can we subcontract the project to a UK company whose resources are working remotely in their Indian base?
6. Can we use Public Cloud Hosting (AWS, Azure, Oracle) for this project?
7. Can you please define the definition of offshore services from below?
A. Are you expecting to have our business registered offshore to provide offshore services?
B. We have our associated business with established contractual terms to operate as our offshore centre.
C. Under contractual terms, we are using a third-party offshore service
1. Are we permitted to subcontract work to companies based outside of the UK? Yes
2. The main bidder has the certifications, insurance and eligibility criteria mentioned in the bid docs. Is it compulsory for the subcontractor to have the certifications and insurance? If yes, can the subcontractor obtain it before the contract award and after the project commences?
The lead supplier takes full responsibility for the the subcontractor, therefore the subcontractor does not need to have the same level of certifications or insurances as the lead supplier, however the lead supplier holds all the risk for this.
3. Have you set any financial conditions, such as minimum turnover, that apply both to the main bidder and the subcontractors?
No
4. Are subcontractors required to provide their insurance coverage, or will the main bidder's insurance suffice? As per Q2 the full risk for the contract sits with the lead supplier therefore sub contractors do not need to supply their insurances
5. Can we subcontract the project to a UK company whose resources are working remotely in their Indian base? Providing the supply chain is compliant with core terms then yes work can be carried out outside of the UK
6. Can we use Public Cloud Hosting (AWS, Azure, Oracle) for this project? This would be managed at call off level
Answered
20/01/2025 14:02
222. I notice that CCS requires a payment of 1% on confirmed bookings. As a venue finding agency we offer a free service to everyone and we receive our payment of 10% commission of the net booking value from each venue after the event has taken place and been paid for in full by the client.
So for example, if we book an event for CCS in a venue with a net value of £100,000, we would invoice the venue for £10,000 after the event. Is your 1% calculated on the net value of the booking or on the net value of our revenue from the event? When do you expect to be paid this 1%?
I would be very grateful if you could clarify this for me as soon as possible.
The 1% CCS management charge would be applicable to the revenue. When the supplier submits their MI return they should only report the revenue.
CCS will then issue an invoice for 1% of what is reported. Payment is usually requested within 30 days of receipt of invoice.
Answered
08/01/2025 08:44
221. We note in the bid pack that a Carbon Reduction Plan is a requirement for acceptance to this framework. However, we cannot see where in the SQ or DPSQ we would submit a link to our Plan. Please can you advise if this is a requirement for Communications Marketplace, or perhaps we will be asked to provide the link at a later stage?
A Carbon Reduction Plan is not a requirement for the onboarding of this agreement, however you win a contract of over £5mil with a Central Government department, you will then be required to submit one.
Answered
20/12/2024 15:05
220. We are in the process of making an application to register on the Research and Insights DPS and have a query regarding the Carbon Reduction Plan question. We note that it is a mandatory requirement to submit one if working on central government contracts. However, we are in the process of completing the online application and are currently working on a Carbon Reduction Plan. Is this a mandatory requirement to submit with our application or can this be submitted when finalised if we can submit our application before then? I did add a note to question 51 on the supplier registration portal that it is currently being worked on, however, our Head of Sustainability has since prepared a full explanation on why it is not yet available and the steps we are taking, that we would like to attach to our application. I have been advised that we can have the final CRP with you in a month or so as we do not want to miss out on any potential opportunities. Is it possible to amend the question to include the explanation that our Head of Sustainability has provided as I am unable to do so as the edit function is not available, or do I need to create a new application and copy/edit the one I started?
Good Afternoon, This is the clarifcations page for RM6124 Communications Marketplace, I have passed your message to the Research and Insights Clarifications Page
Answered
28/11/2024 14:52
219. Good day, how are foreign companies assessed on this one?
All companies are assessed through their Selection Questionnaire, DPS questionnaire and their compliance with the required insurances and certifications.
Answered
21/10/2024 15:45
218. If you can please confirm we are understanding below correctly on the DPS Appoint Form Variations to Core Terms:-
The DPS Appointment Form forms the framework "DPS Contract" on the "Core Terms" for services which will be delivered through future specific "Order Forms" (under which each specific "Order Contract" is agreed) and any relevant variations to Core Terms for a particular service can be done through two different means:-
1) at a framework level by adding Special Terms to the DPS Appointment Form or
2) at an 'Order Contract' level by adding Special Terms to the Order Form
As our company provides numerous different types of services, if we can have confirmation that once the DPS form is signed, we can make any sensible amendments that might be required in subsequent Order Forms where we can show the Core Terms do not fit the particular services requested to be provided under that Order Form. Thank you
Any changes to specific services provided by suppliers on the DPS is managed via the Supplier Questionnaires on the SRS.
Suppliers can make amendments to the services they provide at any time.
Answered
02/09/2024 16:43
217. Dear Procurement Team,
We are keen to submit an application for RM6124 Communications Marketplace DPS, do we require an Invitation Code to gain access to the application?
No invitation code is required.
Suppliers can started their application by registering and following the steps set out to fill in the Supplier Questionnaire and DPS Questionnaire
Answered
07/08/2024 15:43
216. Dear Madam/ Sir, Question 166 in Attachment 6 of the Bid Pack requires us to provide documentary evidence of audited accounts for the last 2 years. Our external accountants have advised that we are entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
Please Advise.
If you are exempt, you can answer with N/A Exempt
Answered
22/07/2024 14:52
215. Dear Sir/Madam,
We have sent project examples as part of part 1 of the questionnaire, so what details do they need as evidence of each of the following two questions?
179. Upload documentary evidence for a list of relevant principal contracts for goods and/or services provided in the last three years
180. Upload documentary evidence for a certificate for each principal contract for goods and/or services provided in the last three years
Thank you for your response in advance. Looking forward to you response.
Please see below previous responses provided as clarifications to these questions:
For question 179: You are required to describe how the performance of the contract example you have provided demonstrates one or more of the services within the Communications Marketplace Agreement.
For question 180: CCS can confirm that a completed attachment letter of confirmation is required for both contract examples to clearly provide evidence regarding the principle contract for the goods and services undertaken.
Answered
26/03/2024 09:41
214. All our clients are NHS or local authority so are not registered companies at companies' house - the Letter of Confirmation of Works template you provide asks for the company number. Can you advise on what I add instead please?
Please refer to the following previously published response to a similar question concerning the Letter of Confirmation of Works template:
CCS can confirm that Bidders must only amend the yellow highlights and insert their answer as requested - If it is a public sector organisation and therefore does not have a company house number then entering NA in this field is acceptable.
Any additional amendments to the documents will result in the bid being deemed non compliant
Answered
26/03/2024 08:41
213. Core Terms.
4.6An Agency invoice is only valid if it:
(a)includes all appropriate references including the Contract reference number and other details reasonably requested by the Client;
(b)includes a detailed breakdown of Delivered Goods or Services and Milestone(s) (if any); and
(c)does not include the Management Charge (the Agency must not charge the Client in any way for the Management Charge) but, for the avoidance of doubt, may include the GCS Management Charge where applicable..
What is the difference between the Management Charge and the GCS Management Charge? And is each worked out on a % of what is invoiced? and what is this %? thanks
RM6124 has 2 management fees associated to it -
1) 1% CCS Management fee. This fee is applicable to all contracts via the agreement and should be paid by the supplier.This will be invoiced by CCS to the supplier each month. This should not be passed on directly to the customer
2) 1% GCS Levy - This fee is applicable to Central Government customers only. Suppliers should add this as a separate line on all invoices.The customer will pay the supplier the 1%, CCS will then invoice the supplier and the 1% is passed on.
Therefore, suppliers that hold contracts with Central Government departments via RM6124 should expect to receive an invoice for 2% each month
Answered
08/02/2024 14:23
212. With regards to clarification question 201. We're on the 'SQ Evidence Submission' page but Qs 171 and 172 (about a parent company) are not relevant to us - yet leaving them blank creates an error which reads 'you have not added enough files to this answer - the minimum is 0' and the page reloads and you cannot progress. How do we get past this? There are no fields to insert a '0' into. Also, what 'documentary evidence' is required for Q179: 'Upload documentary evidence for a list of relevant principal contracts for goods and/or services provided in the last three years'?
Your response is "Hi, we have responded to this question via email reference - 01452213" can you please share this response as I would like to have the same questions answered.
The first question seems to be a functionality issue with the SQ, If the Q in relation to a parent company isn't relevant to you then you should be able to leave it blank. In relation to the latter, contract examples need to have concluded within the last 3 years and the templates provided need to be used with a signature.
Answered
22/01/2024 16:52
209. Hi, 179 asks - upload documentary evidence for a list of relevant principal contracts for goods and/or services provided in the last three years.
What kind of evidence should be provided here? How detailed does this need to be? E.g can we list the brand names worked & then sign in letterhead format?
Yes you can list brand names. And you must use the templates provided in the question with the CCS letterhead and electronic signatures
Answered
20/12/2023 16:46
