Clarifications
There are 224 clarifications for this DPS
167. Our bank need to be given an amount in GBP that they would need to guarantee, please can you specify how much this is?
Work is not guaranteed by signing up to the DPS. It all depends on if a supplier matches a client's service requirements and then win the bidding process. So we cannot guarantee any amount of contract work through the marketplace
Answered
01/04/2022 17:32
166. In regards to requiring a guarantor, what does the guarantor actually need to guarantee? If we were to approach our bank, they would require information such as a value, which we are unable to give as we do not have a contract or expected value. Can you please provide further information
You will only be asked to provide a guarantor if your Dun and Bradstreet score falls below the threshold of 45 and our Commercial Finance teams assessment of your accounts are deemed unacceptable.
Your guarantor needs to guarantee to cover you for any future contracts you are awarded as part of the Communications Marketplace agreement.
Answered
08/03/2022 16:40
165. Not sure whether this question was received, as seems to be missing from the list, so apologies for asking again.
With regards to the following questions: Q168 - Upload a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position Q170 - Upload a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status Q171 - Upload documentary evidence for parent company accounts Q172 - Upload documentary evidence for parent company guarantee We have provided our accounts and have a D&B score of above 45 in all areas. We believe a PCG would not be called for suppliers with a D&B of this rating, therefore as these questions are not relevant, will the portal allow us to submit without uploading in these sections.
If you have a D&B score of over 45, responses to questions 168, 170-172 are not required
Answered
09/03/2022 16:36
164. We would like to become a supplier in the Communications Marketplace. I believe we need to have a Cyber Security certificate. Please could you advise how we get this certification. Can we self-certify, in which case what questions do we need to answer or do we need to use a preferred supplier for this? Thanks in advance
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
08/03/2022 16:39
163. With regards to the following questions:
Q168 - Upload a bank letter outlining the current cash and
credit position
Q170 - Upload a statement of funding provided by the
owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an
alternative means of demonstrating financial status
Q171 - Upload documentary evidence for parent company
accounts
Q172 - Upload documentary evidence for parent company guarantee
We have provided our accounts and have a D&B score of above 45 in all areas. We believe a PCG would not be called for suppliers with a D&B of this rating, therefore as these questions are not relevant, will the portal allow us to submit without uploading in these sections.
If you have a D&B score of over 45, responses to questions 168, 170-172 are not required
Answered
09/03/2022 16:37
162. What do you mean by 'For The approximate % of contractual obligations assigned to the Sub-Contractor'? Does this mean on average throughout a given financial year how much % is sub contract to them? And What timeframe or context does the % applies to?
We do not require all Subcontractors to be disclosed. You need only disclose those Subcontractors who directly contribute to your ability to meet the services you specify you can fulfil in the DPSQ questionnaire. (including under any Contract Agreement you are awarded through this agreement). There is no need to specify Subcontractors providing general services to the Agency (such as window cleaners etc.)
Answered
21/02/2022 15:09
161. Hello
Our 'Contract Examples' were not accepted and we were given the below reason:
"contract examples are current WIP, requested for concluded contracts, moved back to reg 1 to allow for updates"
Please can you confirm the exact requirements for our contract examples as we are unclear. Do you want examples of clients we no longer work with or examples where the contract terms are fixed / projects completed?
Thanks,
Sian
CCS can confirm that the works described in the contract example must have concluded and have an end date in order to be considered
Answered
17/02/2022 16:22
160. Hello -
I am currently attempting to submit Weber Shandwick's bid to be included on the CCS Communications Marketplace. Details below:
DUNS Number: 504599226
Reference Number: SQ-NF5243A
After submitting a few weeks back, I logged on this morning to check whether it had been accepted and I was prompted to submit all of my information again, so I did.
When I finally entered into the dashboard I could see that the application had been reviewed and declined due to incorrect 'Contract Examples'. We are able to update these and ensure they are the correct examples, however I have now already re-submitted the form with no updates made.
Is it possible to cancel this recent submission and make it possible for me to edit the Contract Examples section? I am conscious of waiting another 15 days for the form to be declined again before I can re-submit.
Thank you,
Sian
Please be advised, this platform is open to all Suppliers. Future requests of this nature should be sent to our CRM system info@crowncommercial.gov.uk
CCS can confirm your application has been amended to allow you to make the changes
Answered
17/02/2022 16:24
159. We completed and submitted our application on 21st January. Today is the 17th working day since submission. Can you please advise how much longer our submission will take to be assessed?
Application is under review
Answered
17/02/2022 16:25
158. My business is a recent start up, so 2 years of accounts are not yet available. Does this disqualify from participation in the framework, or is there an alternative verification process please?
In the event we need to request accounts from you, we will request draft accounts
Answered
17/02/2022 16:27
157. We uploaded our submission on 27/01/2022, when can we expect to get any feedback?
Application is under assessment
Answered
17/02/2022 16:29
156. Is it possible to amend our questionnaire responses? We seem unable to edit responses and only able to add evidence.
"The Selection Questionnaire is split into two (2) distinct sections (SQ and the DPSQ which is specified below). The standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) must be completed and submitted via the Supplier Registration Service to progress to the next (DPSQ) section of the SQ process. When you have completed the SQ you need to select either 'Save and Continue' at the end of the questionnaire, or, you can select 'Save and view answers' to review your responses, allowing you to make any changes prior to submitting the SQ, once done this will direct you to the DPSQ. The SQ can be changed up to the point of submission. Any required changes after submission will need the submission to be rejected in order for amendments to be made and resubmitted.
Bidders cannot amend responses to any of the standard Selection Questionnaire responses once they have progressed on to the DPSQ
Answered
10/02/2022 16:52
155. Can you please change the email address connected to this account from - nakif@webershandwick.com TO - sdavies@webershandwick.com
Please be advised, this platform is open to all Suppliers. Future requests should be sent to our CRM system info@crowncommercial.gov.uk. In the meantime we will make the changes
Answered
09/02/2022 14:14
154. Do letters of confirmation have to be on the CCS headed letters or can they be in a reference type format?
The templates to complete these documents are within the bid pack, please complete using the templates provided
Answered
09/02/2022 14:12
153. We are having trouble with our customers signing the Letters of Confirmation. Can you confirm whether you will accept a signed reference in its absence?
Both letters of Confirmation of Contract have to be signed by the named Contract Examples. CCS can confirm Digital signatures are accepted.
Answered
10/02/2022 16:50
152. How long does the assessment process take for the SQ stage?
The standard processing time from application submission to decision is 10 days. Any queries highlighted within the application may lengthen this period.
Answered
25/01/2022 15:58
151. Hi there - please can you confirm how long the SQ assessment will take?
We note your application is showing as completed for Registration 1, once you have completed the DPSQ part of the application and move to assessing, the SLA is 72 hours to assess your application. If no issues are found and you are fully compliant, you will be moved to agreeing whereby you accept the T&C's to become an appointed supplier
Answered
17/01/2022 10:51
150. If asked to provide a list & evidence of 'Principle Contracts in the past 3 years', what do you define as a Principle Contract?
And what types of evidence do you require?
Are the Contract Examples and the Letters of Confirmation not enough evidence of previous contracts and experience undertaken?
A principle contract is defined as a contract that you can provide evidence for the services you are looking to provide and can confirm you have completed.
CCS requires you to only submit two contract examples and two letter of Confirmation of Works (LoCoW).
Answered
17/01/2022 10:50
149. Question 129 in the registration questionnaire asks 'Do you meet the minimum level of economic and financial standing and/or minimum financial threshold specified within the evaluation criteria for this procurement?' What is the minimum level criteria please?
The minimum financial threshold for this DPS is 45. You will find further under number 50 on page 13 of 'READ FIRST RM6124 - DPS Needs_v1.0.pdf' contained in the DPS Bid Pack
Answered
17/01/2022 10:47
148. if we were appointed to the Communications Marketplace DPS, would we and the other agencies appointed, have the opportunity competitively to tender for significant Media Planning & Buying contracts that would be available exclusively to agencies appointed within that framework, or, would these opportunities only exist within the Campaign Solutions Framework?
No you will not unfortunetly be alerted to these other opportunites. Media planning is procured only via the rostered agencies on Lot 2 of Campaign Solutions 2 and Media Buying is procured via the sole agency on RM6003 agreement.
Answered
12/01/2022 11:27
