Clarifications
There are 239 clarifications for this DPS
122. Regarding the Communications Marketplace Planning spreadsheet, I would be very grateful for some clarity regarding our core competency: Media Planning and Buying. It isn't a 'niche' discipline, particularly: every ad you see or hear has been planned to reach a particular target and bought to get the best value for the Client. We plan and buy all media: TV, Radio, Press (traditional 'offline' media) as well as Online: Social, Progammatic and Display in ways to maximise coverage and frequency and/or encourage response. There really should be a "Main Value" that encapsulates Media Planning and Buying definitively, with sub-sections for various media and competencies. If we can have some clarity on this, we would be really very grateful and it would give us the opportunity to pick up contracts that we can fulfil to our best ability (and the Client's satisfaction!).
Media Strategy and Planning sits as a stand alone lot on our Campaign Solutions 2 Framework agreement which was awarded to six agencies following the procurement for these services.
Answered
01/11/2021 13:43
121. Good Afternoon, We have 2 clarification queries please: 1) As an appointed agency, please can you confirm the procedure for adding additional specialist sub-contractors who may be relevant to a particular bid, but who may not be currently listed on our registration. Are we taken back to the 'Assessing' point at this stage, and if so how long does this take? Would we have to wait for approval before continuing to bid for this piece of work? Similarly, if we are mid bid on another concurrent procurement, is this halted until the assessment is complete? 2) Please can you advise where we would obtain further information on the marketing collateral we can produce to add to our profile? Thank you for your assistance.
Q1. Once a supplier has accepted T&C's they are appointed, any changes will result in you going back into the assessing stage. We will manage those changes and check what changes have been made. Depending on the new assessment, if all is OK, move your application back to agreeing.
Additional subcontractors can be handled between CAM and Supplier
Q2. CCS will send the marketing collateral information to you directly.
Answered
01/11/2021 16:14
120. Can you please clarify what information needs to go in questions 1 and 2 for Selection Questionairre name and description? Our name seems to have been automatically generated as numbers but there's nothing in the description - should this description reflect our services and should we change the numbers to our business name?
Apologies this question was missed. As your application is now in Assessing we assume you have resolved the question, however please speak to NQC if you need further clarification on this matter
Answered
17/01/2022 10:59
119. Regarding the service lines matrix spreadsheet, I would be very grateful for some clarity regarding our core competency: Media Planning and Buying. It isn't a 'niche' discipline, particularly: every ad you see or hear has been planned to reach a particular target and bought to get the best value for the Client. We plan and buy all media: TV, Radio, Press (traditional 'offline' media) as well as Online: Social, Progammatic and Display in ways to maximise coverage and frequency and/or encourage response. There really should be a "Main Value" that encapsulates Media Planning and Buying definitively, with sub-sections for various media and competencies. If we can get some clarity on this, we would be really very grateful and it would give us the opportunity to pick up contracts that we can fulfil to our best ability.
Media Strategy and Planning sits as a stand alone lot on our Campaign Solutions 2 Framework agreement which was awarded to six agencies following the procurement for these services.
Answered
01/11/2021 13:53
118. Hi there, Please can you confirm that when selecting the CPV codes/service headings we wish to put our name against, we are exclusively offering to perform PR/communications type requests? For example, we are expressing an ability to deliver communications within the agricultural sector, rather than offer tangible agricultural products.
When selecting the filters, this demonstrates the services you are able to provide as an agency not the goods or products
Answered
01/11/2021 13:51
117. Hi I have asked this question already but (in addition to other questions) had no response. Hopefully this one gets through.... Some of the evidence we have been asked to submit in support of our SQ response appears unnecessary given other evidence we will be providing. For example, by submitting two years' audited accounts, we would also and at the same time be providing a statement of turnover and our P&L, so wouldn't expect to have to also provide those separately. As such, if we submit: • Audited accounts for 2 years • Insurance certificates • Proof of support & commitment to Skills & Apprenticeships... ...will this be sufficient? Many thanks
Yes that should be sufficient. If we did require any further evidence we would be in touch
Answered
01/11/2021 13:49
116. Two questions from our side! 1) As a small company I think we are exempt from audit? Unsure if the Self Audit Certificate needs to be signed by a chartered accountant or not? 2) In the document called Joint Schedule 11 (Processing Data)_v1.0, who is the 'relevant authority'?
1)As an agency on the DPS you are required to provide a self-audit certificate on an annual basis.
This requirement is detailed in Schedule 8 of the Framework Agreement.It needs to be signed by a Head of Internal Audit/ Finance Director/ External Audit firm or equivalent
2)the definition is "the Authority which is party to the Contract to which a right obligation is owed, as the context requires;"
Answered
01/11/2021 13:48
115. Having completed the SQ, we have noticed an evidence request to confirm our self-declarations. Firstly, which contact point should we send the responses to? Secondly, do all evidences need to be provided where once answer supersedes the other (eg if we provide audited accounts, do we need to provide P&L, cash flow etc)?
You are now appointed on the Communications Marketplace DPS and as such the assessment period has concluded. We will assess any updates made to your profile and contact you if necessary.
We may contact you to request evidence in support of answers you gave in your applications such as insurance levels. This will be clearly titled and come from an @crowncommercial.gov.uk mailbox.
Answered
01/11/2021 13:46
113. We submitted our completed questionnaire on 16/8/21. Our status is still Assessing, but we have received no requests for clarification or additional information. Could you please advise when we will move to the next stage.
Your application is not currently visible to CCS and you will need to contact the system service providers NQC for support in moving to this stage. You can reach them via 'Contact Us' found in help at the top right corner of the system or emailing support@NQC.com
If your application meets all requirements you will automatically become appointed. We will contact you for any outstanding requirements and this process can take up to 10 working days.
Answered
06/10/2021 16:37
112. Question 98 has not yet been answered (Would we fail if we were to answer no to this question: Do you have a process in place to ensure that your supply chain supports skills, development and apprenticeships in line with PPN 14/15 and can provide evidence if requested?) When can we expect an answer for this?
Apologies for the delay in responding to your question.
CCS can confirm that responding 'No' to this question will not result in your application being rejected
Answered
07/10/2021 13:15
111. CyberEssentials accreditation: We are a marketing agency owned by a local authority, operating from the Authority's infrastructure. Our parent organisation as a local authority has to conform to the PSN standard and to PCI DSS. Can you please clarify whether we need CyberEssentials over and above this?
As per paragraph 43 h of the DPS Needs document in the bid pack, CCS can confirm that any supplier wishing to be appointed to this DPS must hold the Cyber Essentials Basic Certification
Answered
06/10/2021 16:36
109. One of our clients, for whom we wish to submit a contract example, has asked that we confirm the confidentiality provisions with the application process and who, where and how the contract info (containing commercially sensitive information) will be made available to the CCS. Apologies if we've missed the clarification on this in the documentation provided however, if you could clarify it would be much appreciated.
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
06/10/2021 16:35
108. We have indicated in our SQ that our parent company is happy to provide a Parent Company Guarantee at a later stage, if required. This is standard for a lot of public sector contracts - however, our parent company is unable to provide a card blanche guarantee for all possible services/projects under this marketplace arrangement. A Parent Guarantee form would have to be limited in both time and financial amount, which is not possible to state at this point. As evidence, will you accept a Parent Company Guarantee template or similar that we would use should a contracting authority require such a guarantee?
You will only be asked to provide a guarantor if you 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 cover you regardless of the products and/or services you supply.
Answered
22/10/2021 15:22
107. Hello, the Bid Pack doesn't currently allow for the files to be extracted/viewed. Is there an alternative link, or any feedback available on this please? Thanks
CCS can confirm that the bid pack is accessible and downloadable from the Marketplace at the following URL:
https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps#research
Answered
06/10/2021 16:31
106. 178. Upload documentary evidence to demonstrate the process that ensures your supply chain supports skills, development and apprenticeships in line with PPN 14/15 Could you please clarify the content and format you require?
Please see PPN 14/15, particularly Annex A for guidance as to what may constitute content and format
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1415-supporting-apprenticeships-and-skills-through-public-procurement
Answered
06/10/2021 16:30
105. 177. Upload documentary evidence to support your commitment to developing and investing in skills, development and apprenticeships. Could you please clarify the content and format you require?
Please see PPN 14/15, particularly Annex A for guidance as to what may constitute content and format
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1415-supporting-apprenticeships-and-skills-through-public-procurement
Answered
06/10/2021 16:29
104. Our questionnaire jumps from Question 21 to 104 ? please advise.
If your issue still persists please contact support@NQC.com for help completing your application
Answered
06/10/2021 16:28
103. Please can you confirm who the ' DPS Agreement Manager' should be, referenced in Question 117? Would this be the same as the key contact?
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
24/09/2021 14:37
102. Hi - we submitted our SQ this morning at 8.30am; how soon will it be before we have access to the PDSQ?
Your application is not currently visible to CCS and you will need to contact the system service providers NQC for support in moving to this stage. You can reach them via 'Contact Us' found in help at the top right corner of the system or emailing support@NQC.com
Answered
06/10/2021 16:08
101. We have already submitted our SQ and with regard to Cyber Essentials we answered 'No' to question 155 because we have Cyber Essentials Plus. Do we need to go back and correct this and if so how do we do that?
Your application is not currently visible to CCS and you will need to contact the system service providers NQC for support in moving to this stage. You can reach them via 'Contact Us' found in help at the top right corner of the system or emailing support@NQC.com.
NQC will support you through updating these questions. Once submitted, you cannot make changes.
Answered
06/10/2021 16:07
