Clarifications
There are 60 clarifications for this DPS
45. We would like to confirm your position on Parent Company Guarantee.
We will not be able to provide such a Guarantee for the Framework or any Call-Off Contract. Will this be an issue?
Thank you
It is not an issue that you don't have a parent company guarantor. The only reason we may ask if you have one, is if your D&B financial risk score is below the threshold for the DPS.
Answered
06/07/2022 11:03
44. Hi,
We have the following questions:
1.Your question is: "154. Can you supply the information requested in Q.150 to Q.153 for any sub-contractors or consortium members that you are relying upon to perform this contract?"
Does this mean that you require certificates from our sub-contractors regarding how well our organisation completes business with them, or does it relate to the end customer's feedback on how well our sub-contractors deliver their part of the service?
2.With regards your ambition for 30 day payment terms with our subcontractors, does this relate to those who are delivering to this service offering only, or to our whole supply chain throughout our entire organisation in both the private and public sectors?
Many thanks
Question 154 relates to the end customers feedback on how well the subcontractor delivered.
2 -This question specifically refers to the inclusion of 30 day payment terms in the supply chain contracts related to contracts procured under PCR 2015, in the main these are likely to be contracts with public sector organisations however in some instances could be private sector acting on behalf of the public sector. In the SQ there should also be additional questions about payment performance and these questions should be answered in respect of the payment performance for all the applying organisations supply chain irrespective of whether they are associated with a contract procured under PCR 2015.
Answered
30/05/2022 11:15
43. We have received the SQ and enrolment pack along with templates associated to both the framework and order liabilities and contractual obligations. At this stage Joint Schedule 7 has been left blank, can you please advise whether this is applied as I note the "DPS Needs" document highlights the credit levels each party needs to compete in certain activities? Does this also mean that Joint Schedule 7 may not apply based on credit level?
Joint Schedule 7 (Financial Difficulties) applies under both the DPS Contract and any Order Contract, please see paragraph 2.2 of the schedule. The credit rating threshold applicable under the DPS Contract is as stated in the DPS Needs document.
Answered
11/05/2022 12:06
42. We're somewhat confused about what evidence that we should provide now, in support of our application to join the Geospatial framework.
Do you have a list that you can share, which details the evidence that I should submit in order to get the application complete, please? I have the pdf of all questions that are asked for this submission, but I'm confused about what I submit as the portal seems to differ from the pdf.
Are you able to supply a list of what I need to input, please?
Also, I wanted to ask you about was how we should respond to your requirements that aligns to the supply of steel.
This requirement appears in Selection Questionnaire Q147, Q148 and Q149.
I make the assumption that this is a typo for this framework, however as it states that we should be compliant to PPN 16/15, I would appreciate your guidance on how we should answer this question.
Thank you
"Unfortunately we do not have a list we can share in regards to the evidence that should be provided.
In regards to Q147-149, if the questions are not applicable to your organisation, please state 'N/A'. "
Answered
27/04/2022 14:35
41. Is it possible to apply to be a supplier if we don't have a Companies House registration number? and if so, how? The questionnaire is asking for a registration number. We have offices in Europe and the USA but not currently the UK.
Yes it is. Please use a dummy companies house number e.g. 01010111 for your application.
Answered
08/04/2022 11:05
40. Hi,
We are completing our application to join the Geospatial framework and noticed that in the Selection Questionnaire there are a couple of additional questions that we had not expected. These questions relate to CESG Cyber Essentials and are numbered 162 and 163.
Can I enquire whether these questions relate to the IT/business services that we have deployed in our organisation or do they relate to future services that we might offer to our customers, please?
Thank you
Cyber Essentials cover would relate to the IT/business services deployed in your organisation and future services as and when they become applicable.
Answered
06/04/2022 14:56
39. At what stage are the terms are actually fully populated? Is this during the assessment and acceptance phase such that each entity may review any changes to the standard forms included within the framework pack or are these left blank until such time as orders are awarded/allocated?
When you reach the 'agreeing' stage within your application, you will be asked to tick a box to electronically sign the DPS appointment form, this confirms that you are happy with the DPS terms.
Additionally, at call off stage there may be consultations of customer considerations/special terms added.
Answered
06/04/2022 14:53
37. Could you please clarify the responsibilities for the Compliance Officer to help us determine which role within our organisation is the best fit. Guidance on whether this sits with a senior company director or someone closer to the relevant business unit would be appreciated.
The compliance offer will be the main point of contact for CCS to get in touch with in regards to insurance/cyber essentials certificate renewals, annual self audit certificates and other compliance areas.
Answered
06/04/2022 14:54
36. Hi,
when you ask for details of customer contracts, can we assume that your ask is for a high level overview of the service provided, rather than details of a specific, signed agreement between ourselves and our customer(s)? If the latter we would have problems due to confidentially agreements already in place. Would this therefore lead to us failing to secure a place on the framework?
You may select any example that best displays your organisation's capability to provide relevant services. This question is aiming to ensure commercial capability rather than technical quality, as technical quality must be assessed by the buyer at call off stage, through a further competition.
If you are not able to disclose the value of the contract please either place a nominal £1 or please state N/A. Please reference the reason for this (i.e that the information is commercially sensitive) in the contract description.
Answered
06/04/2022 14:55
35. Question 133 asks "Are you able to provide details of your first example contract?" I can see other CQs for 134 and 135 that say they don't need answering, but not 133. Given that it's asking for customer details, can this question also be answered as "no"?
We can confirm that, as per paragraph 72 of the DPS Needs document, you are not required to answer Q134 or Q135. You therefore are only required, as a minimum, to answer Q133 and Q179. Again, as a minimum you are required to upload documentary evidence for at least one relevant principal contract for goods and/or services provided in the last three years at Q179. If you have further certificates of completion these can be uploaded at Q180 and Q181.
Answered
02/03/2022 08:21
34. Please can you respond to our clarification #23 raised on 08/11/21?
Response has been given
Answered
03/12/2021 11:51
33. Regarding Q179 required documentary evidence for at least one relevant principal contract, can you provide a template you wish us to complete as evidence? Otherwise, please advise what information is required for the upload.
CCS confirm we do not have a template to upload.You are required to upload documentary evidence for at least one relevant principal contract for goods and/or services provided in the last three years at Q179. If you have further certificates of completion these can be uploaded at Q180 and Q181.
Answered
03/12/2021 11:50
32. Urgent response required.
We are currently completing the Selection Questionnaire (SQ) there are a couple of additional questions that pop up that we were not expecting, one on NHS and the second set of questions on CESG Cyber Certifications. Question 162 and 163. There does not appear to be an option to tick that none apply. Please can you confirm how we answer this question as this is currently stopping us from submitting the SQ.
CCS can confirm your answers to Cyber Essentials 155, 156 are sufficient.
Please answer the NHS questions as applicable to your organisation, these are not pass/fall questions as part of the selection criteria.
Answered
30/11/2021 09:45
31. How will appointed suppliers be made aware of opportunities under this framework, e.g. will it be through emailed invitiations to participate?
A customer will create a supplier shortlist specific to their competition. They will then issue their specification and other documentation to the shortlisted suppliers once they have filtered for their requirements. This can either be done by CCS eSourcing or through the customers own procurement tool.
Answered
05/11/2021 17:00
30. The forms do not recognize international post codes, VAT and registration numbers making difficult to add international sub contractors. Kindly advise if we can enter blank values in these fields in order to proceed to the next section.
Unfortunately the selection questionnaire will not accept non-UK postcodes. Please enter the following as a workaround: M4 5DH. We can make an offline copy of the relevant equivalent.
Answered
25/11/2021 10:53
29. In Question 179, what is meant by documentary evidence for a list of relevant principal contracts for goods and/or services provided in the last three years? Could you advise what is expected as evidence?
Please refer to PPN04/15 (supplier past performance). This includes a certificate of past performance in Annex F. This can be used as a template/structure.
Please use the following link to access to PPN: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417211/PPN04-15_Supplier_Past_Performance_.pdf
Answered
20/01/2022 14:42
28. In relation to Question 179 and 180 the "relevant principle" contract. Can you confirm that, when you say relevant, you mean the contract is Space or Geospatial related or is any contract for a public sector body or in the technology sector relevant?
This should be relevant in regards to having a similar scope or similar primary services to the DPS. The scope of the DPS can be found in in DPS schedule 1 - Specification, in Bid Pack part 2.
Answered
20/01/2022 14:39
27. In relation to Question 179 and 180. Can you confirm that Q179 a list of contracts is all that is required and Q180 evidence of 1 or more contract certificated or evidence is required?
You are required to upload documentary evidence for at least one relevant principal contract for goods and/or services provided in the last three years at Q179. If you have further certificates of completion these can be uploaded at Q180 and Q181.
Answered
03/12/2021 11:48
25. Our application has been listed as 'assessing' for almost a month now - are you able to advise how long it will take to make a decision on appointment?
CCS Can confirm you were appointed on to the Space Enabled DPS as of 01/11/21
Answered
09/03/2022 15:55
24. We have the following clarifications-
1. It mentions that contractors will need to advertise sub contracting opportunities above a certain value- will this be required even for all our declared and approved suppliers we will be furnishing? We have our existing suppliers we have on going relationships with for certain services. please confirm if we must go through the open competition process for all sub cos?
2. Could you please elaborate on the DPS roles and responsibilities ? Our company size does not require a data protection officer , can we mention an equivalent role for the position ?
1. Joint Schedule 12 (Supply Chain Visibility) requires a successful supplier to advertise on Contracts Finder any new subcontracting opportunities valued above a minimum threshold of £25,000 that arise after contract award. The clause does not apply to subcontracts that were arranged or existed prior to the award of the contract, i.e. when a prime contractor has established its supply-chain as part of the tender process.
2. Joint Schedule 11 requires a supplier to designate a Data Protection Officer if required by the Data Protection Legislation. If your organisation isn't required to appoint a Data Protection Officer under the Legislation please provide the name and contact details of a relevant contact within your organisation, this may be an equivalent role and/or a contact from whom information may be obtained if required.
Answered
22/10/2021 14:54
