Clarifications
There are 224 clarifications for this DPS
85. The contract examples we wish to use are ongoing. What would you recommend we put for 'Contract Completion Date'?
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
16/09/2021 16:31
84. We have a few clarifications in relation to the core terms of this Marketplace:
- In Section 8 part 8.3 (a) please can you explain what is meant by 'wilful misconduct of the Agency, Subcontractor and Supplier Staff that impacts the Contract; ' and give as an example of what this could be?
- In section 10 part 10.6.1 (a) "(a)The Client's payment obligations under the terminated Contract stop immediately" can we clarify that the agency will be paid for work already done in accordance with the contract in the event of any termination by either party.
- In section 10 part 10.6.2 "10.6.1In addition to the consequences of termination listed in Clause 10.6.1, where the Relevant Authority terminates a Contract under Clause 10.4.1 the Agency is also responsible for the Relevant Authority's reasonable costs of procuring Replacement Goods or Services for the rest of the Contract Period." Can we clarify if this means the cost of the procurement exercise?
We have answered your 3 clarification questions below:
1. There are numerous definitions of wilful misconduct but we effectively are referring to the deliberate act or omission of what is expected of an agency in fulfilling their contractual obligations. Please also seek your own legal advice on this.
2. It depends on the reason for the termination as to whether or not the agency will be paid for work already undertaken - please seek your own legal advice.
3. It could include the Relevant Authorities procurement costs to procure the services needed due to termination - it depends on the circumstances of the termination - we suggest you seek your own legal advice.
Answered
14/09/2021 09:13
83. If we submit our response on 17th September, how soon would we know if we were included on the DPS?
If your application meets all requirements then you will automatically enter the agreeing stage where you will be notified to login and accept the terms and conditions of the DPS agreement. If there are any issues with your application then it will enter the Assessing stage where CCS will contact you to resolve.
Answered
15/09/2021 10:11
82. For both questions 4 and 104, please can you clarify if you require the registered office address or the trading address?
CCS can confirm that your regitered office address is required at questions 4 and 104
Answered
16/09/2021 16:32
81. In a previous answer, it was stated that: 'CCS is in the process of updating the DPS Questionnaire to reflect the fact that we will accept ISO27001.' - we could not see any reference to this in the DPS questionnaire that we completed. Please confirm what will happen, or if we should await contact to then provide that evidence?
If you do not have Cyber Essentials basic or plus and instead intend to use ISO27001 as an alternative, please answer No to the Cyber questions and at the assessment stage you will be contacted to provide proof of ISO27001 instead.
Answered
14/09/2021 09:17
80. Is it possible to have two different business profiles setup on the Marketplace if we share the same DUNS number? The reason is that we are part of a Group that is ultimately one business entity under one DUNS number, but we have different offers within our Group and would like to setup two different profiles in order to reflect the respective specialisms we offer.
A single entity, ie, a single DUNs number, cannot be assigned to multiple accounts on the Marketplace
Answered
16/09/2021 16:33
79. If the contract is ongoing (without a completion date) what date do we enter in response to Q 54 please?
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
16/09/2021 16:35
78. In Cyber Security Q6 it asks for suppliers to confirm they have Cyber Essentials at Q155 Yes/No. It states that a Yes is mandatory, however as we have Cyber Essentials Plus the correct response would be 'No'. Should there be an alternative option like at Q7 i.e. Not Applicable - I have Cyber Essentials Plus?
Thank you for raising this.
Please select Yes to question 155 and then Yes to 156 as you have Cyber Essentials Plus.
Answered
16/09/2021 16:36
77. Hi, we work on a retained basis to provide PR. This means our contracts are ongoing with a defined notice period but no end date. Is the communications market place appropriate for this?
Yes. There are different types of contracts that can be procured through the Marketplace: a fixed term agreement, standby agreement or a retainer agreement.
Answered
14/09/2021 09:15
76. Hi there, we have submitted our SQ & DPSQ, and the status on the DPSQ is now 'Appointed'. Is that the end of the process? Are we now able to apply/available to invite to competitions in the marketplace?
What is the next stage in the process? Will we be notified of new competitions we are now eligible for via Bravo or do we have to proactively look for them?
Many thanks.
We confirm your organisation is now appointed on the DPS and two users on your bravo account have been added to the template that buyers can choose to use.
You have completed all requirements to register on the DPS and you must continue to monitor your profile to ensure the address, contact details and services you provide are up to date.
Where the services you selected in your profile match those exported by the buying organisation, the users accounts you have on the Bravo template will be notified.
For clarity as to how you will be notified from Bravo please view the help documents on the login page here https://crowncommercialservice.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html or contact eEnablement@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Buyers may choose to publish advance notice that they will be using the DPS for a tender on the Contracts Finder platform https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
Answered
10/09/2021 16:41
75. I have just completed the SQ but have not been prompted to complete the DPSQ as per the webinar instructions. Where can I find it?
Your application is currently in Registered 2 stage. For help completing it please see the Help link in the top right corner of the supplier registration website. Here you will find guidance and a Contact us option to speak directly with the service providers or email support@NQC.com for further assistance.
Answered
10/09/2021 16:39
74. In regards to SSQ question 21 regarding the use of sub-contractors, we will use sub-contractors to support some aspects of event delivery including audio visual suppliers. However, the sub-contractors we will use will be subject to the specific requirements of each brief. Therefore at this stage, it is difficult to name our sub-contractors. We are aware of the definition for Key Subcontractors as noted in the clarification responses however Q21 only refers to sub-contractors. Please could you advise on whether we should declare Yes to Q21 but not define the number and details of sub contractors at this stage?
CCS can confirm that where a supplier intends to use key subcontractors, suppliers should answer Yes to question 21 and provide details of any key subcontractors (that meet the definition within Joint Schedules 5 and 6) that it is known will or would likely be used to deliver the services.
Suppliers can update the list of Key subcontractors accordingly through the life of the DPS. Please se paragraphs 1.3 onwards of Joint Schedule 6 (Key Subcontractors) for details of the process.
Answered
09/09/2021 14:21
73. I was provided out of date information for the completion of the SQ and now need to amend after submission. Will that be possible?
Page 9 of 'READ FIRST RM6124 - DPS Needs_v1.0.pdf' in the bidpack covers updating your registration. You will find more guidance in the Help link at the top of supplier registration page. For further assistance you can contact NQC for support at the following link.
https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contact
Answered
10/09/2021 16:38
72. Can separate files be uploaded to support our contract examples? If so, how should they be submitted?
CCS can confirm that only the Attachments 1a and 1b should be uploaded in support of the contract example you provide. No other attachments are permitted
Answered
24/09/2021 14:31
71. Will agency bids be ranked? If so, how and will the buyers have visibility of that ranking?
CCS can confirm that agency bids will not be ranked.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:33
70. The number of services for which we are bidding, exceeds those which we can evidence across just two case studies. If our bid proves to be successful, will we only join the roster for those services evidenced in our case studies?
CCS requires you to only submit two contract examples. You do not need to address all of the services you are registering for within the contract example. In response to questions 55 and 58 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.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:33
69. Is there a required format for the two contract examples? Do you need just text or can we include additional media such as images and video embed links, etc...?
Please populate the word document templates found at Attachments 1a and 1b and return in the same format. No additional media or links are required.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:33
68. How will the contract examples be assessed / measured? Will you be using a weighting matrix and if so, can you share the criteria?
CCS will review contract examples against the compliance criteria set out at DPSQ questions 54 and 57. No weighting matrix will be used.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:32
67. Is there a cap on the number of agencies to be appointed to the DPS and if so, what is it?
There is no limit to the number of agencies appointed to the DPS.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:31
66. Question 117 of the DPS Questionnaire asks for a DPS Agreement Manager. Who is this person meant to be?
The DPS Agreement Manager is the person within your organisation appointed to manage the DPS on a day to day basis and will be act as a lead contact point for CCS.
Answered
06/09/2021 11:30
