GOV.UK Clarifications
There are 267 clarifications for this DPS
48. We do not have supply chains, as a consultancy we have sub-contracting agreements on a project by project basis. PPN 14/15 is not applicable to our organisation, how do you propose we answer this - not applicable?
Apprenticeships and Skills Development (Q144 - Q146) of the RM6018 Selection Questionnaire, suppliers should select 'no' where this question is not applicable in accordance with PPN 14/15.
Answered
05/02/2018 13:54
47. The DPS Needs document states that following the Dunn & Bradstreet report, further checks on economic and financial standing will not be required "If the score provided by the credit reference agency is 51 or more,". Please could you clarify which score in the Dunn & Bradstreet report this refers to?
CCS can confirm the score used for the sift is the "Failure score".
Answered
08/02/2018 13:47
46. Good morning. I cannot see the Research Marketplace DPS section of the questionnaire online, I can only see the Standard Selection questionnaire. How do we complete the Research Marketplace DPS? Once we have completed the Standard Selection Questionnaire will the additional Research Marketplace DPS questions appear?
Thanks
The RM6018 Research Marketplace standard selection questionnaire questions are 1 - 156 and the Dynamic Purchasing Selection questionnaire questions which form part of the complete RM6018 Selection questionnaire commence after Q156 at Q1a - Q.10. The full PDF version of all selection questionnaire questions for RM6018 can be located in the bid pack in the following document - 'Research SQ_DPSQ_'
Answered
05/02/2018 13:50
45. A response provided to an earlier question clarified that suppliers are required to have in place cyber essentials basic certification by the award of their first contract under the DPS Agreement. We are in the process of securing this certification but wish to meet the 16 Feb initial submission deadline so currently would have to tick "no" to qs 155 and 156. Are we able to join the Research Marketplace before receiving this certification, even though we will not be able to be awarded contracts until certified?
CCS can confirm, suppliers who do not have Cyber Essentials basic certification can still request to join the the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS and will be appointed if their response to all questions meets the selection criteria.
However, In accordance with clause 7.55 - 7.57 of the DPS Agreement, suppliers are required to have in place cyber essentials basic certification by the award of their first contract under the DPS Agreement. Please refer to the link below for further information re obtgaining cyber essentials certification:
https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/getting-certified/
Customers will request copies of suppliers certificates prior to award of a contract under the DPS and in accordance with the obligations as set out in the DPS Agreement. If a supplier fails to provide the required certification, this may be deemed as a breach of contract and may result in a contract not being awarded.
Answered
05/02/2018 13:46
44. Please could you confirm how the Contract Examples provided will be used and who will have access to these? Thank you
The two contract submitted by the supplier wont be formally evaluated, however they will support suppliers 'Letter of Confirmation of Works' and the suppliers previous experience, demonstrating technical capability and capacity in delivering a research project. Customers may also request for suppliers to provide further evidence at call for competition stage in relation to the contract examples provided within RM6018 Selection Questionnaire. Selection questionnaire responses and contract examples are only accessible to customers if approved by the supplier after the award of a contract through the DPS.
Answered
09/02/2018 16:27
43. If we fill in the 100 page questionnaire and hopefully become a registered supplier, will we be automatically notified of bidding opportunities for research funding pls?
CCS can confirm that suppliers will be invited to a call for competition by customers in accordance with their project service requirements. Customers select their service requirements from the filters within the DPS and as detailed in Attachment 2 - RM6018 Research Services Matrix of the bid pack.
Answered
02/02/2018 14:31
42. With regards to the two contract examples, which criteria will you use to evaluate these contract examples?
The two contract submitted by the supplier wont be formally evaluated, however they will support suppliers 'Letter of Confirmation of Works' and the suppliers previous experience, demonstrating technical capability and capacity in delivering a research project. Customers may also request for suppliers to provide further evidence at call for competition stage in relation to the contract examples provided within their RM6018 Selection Questionnaire.
Answered
02/02/2018 13:59
41. 1) With regards to Attachment 1a and Attachment 1b (Letter of confirmation - Contract Example), could you please provide these as Word versions or are we expected to copy the content into a Word document?
2) With regards to the two contract examples, which criteria will you use to evaluate these contract examples?
Thank you.
CCS can confirm the Letter of Confirmation of Works is accessible to download in word version at Q1e of the Dynamic Purchasing System Questionnaire.
The two contract submitted by the supplier wont be formally evaluated, however they will support suppliers 'Letter of Confirmation of Works' and the suppliers previous experience, demonstrating technical capability and capacity in delivering a research project. Customers may also request for suppliers to provide further evidence at call for competition stage in relation to the contract examples provided within RM6018 Selection Questionnaire.
Answered
02/02/2018 14:02
40. We note that several suppliers have asked for clarification about the DPS being open for applications beyond the initial 16th February 'deadline' (answered by CCS on Jan-31-2018 08:44 and Jan-29-2018 16:34). Are we correct in interpreting your responses as follows? Suppliers can submit the selection questionnaire at any point while the DPS is in operation. CCS will then take 15 days to process that application and let suppliers know whether the application has been successful or not.
CCS can confirm that suppliers can request to participate in the RM6018 Research Marketplace at any time during the lifetime of the DPS.
CCS and the bidder have a maximum of fifteen (15) working days to work jointly to rectify the issue where possible in accordance with Regulation 34 (Dynamic Purchasing Systems) of PCR 2015.
In the event that the issue cannot be rectified within the 15 working days, CCS will 'reject' the bidders 'Request to Participate' as an interim measure whilst the necessary further actions are undertaken. The bidder can then reapply to join the DPS within a timescale specified by the CCS via the Supplier Registration (Sid4GOV) platform.
Answered
02/02/2018 14:17
39. We are currently in the process of establishing if our IT systems will enable us to achieve Cyber Essentials certification. If we tick 'no' in response to questions 155 and 156, will this automatically preclude us being accepted into the marketplace? Will there be an opportunity to update our selection questionnaire later once we have the certificate in place?
In accordance with clause 7.55 - 7.57 of the DPS Agreement, suppliers are required to have in place cyber essentials basic certification by the award of their first contract under the DPS Agreement. Please refer to the link below for further information re obtgaining cyber essentials certification: https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/getting-certified/ Customers will request copies of suppliers certificates prior to award of a contract under the DPS and in accordance with the obligations as set out in the DPS Agreement. If a supplier fails to provide the required certification, this may be deemed as a breach of contract and may result in a contract not being awarded.
Answered
02/02/2018 14:19
38. Could you please let us know if there is a word count (or page count) is for Questions 1c and 1d Contract Example summaries?
CCS can confirm that the character count for each contract example at questions 133, 134 or 1c and 1d is 4096 characters per contract example.
Answered
01/02/2018 11:38
37. With reference to subcontractors - do we have to list all potential subcontractors we may use across the lifetime of the agreement - for example recruitment agencies or freelance researchers?
Will it be possible to use different subcontractors on specific contracts that are not listed in the original submission?
Suppliers should list all known sub-contractors as defined in DPS Schedule 1 of the DPS Agreement which forms part of the RM6018 bid pack, which states 'any person engaged by the supplier to provide to the supplier any part of the services or any services necessary for the provision of the Services. The sub-contractors listed as part of the supplier SQ (where applicable) will for part of the suppliers 'Letter of Appointment' as detailed in DPS Schedule 4 (Letter of Appointment and Contract Terms), if awarded a contract under the DPS.
Suppliers are able to use different sub-contractors during the lifetime of their DPS Agreement, however any changes to sub contracting arrangements are subject to the obligations under clause 13 ( THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Assignment and Sub-Contracting) of the Contract Terms which form part of the RM6018 bid pack.
Answered
01/02/2018 11:19
36. The 'Letter of Confirmation' asks the customer organisation to state where they are a registered company, their company number and registered office. If they are a public sector organisaton what should they put here (or how should we amend the form) as these fields do not apply.
Where the customer organisation is a public sector organisation, please input N/A in the fields that aren't applicable on the Letter of Confirmation of Works.
Answered
01/02/2018 11:20
35. Is product liability insurance required in order to join the DPS? We are unsure why this is required as part of the application.
CCS can confirm product insurance is not a mandatory requirement for RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS.
Answered
31/01/2018 15:14
34. We are in the process of verifying that our IT is suitably secure for our Cyber Essentials Accreditation, but have not yet completed the Cyber Essentials questionnaire.
1) If we apply without Cyber Essentials Accreditation, will this automatically exclude us from the research marketplace?
2) If we apply whilst in the process of preparing for Cyber Essentials Accreditation, is it possible to join the research marketplace and if we subsequently achieve accreditation, can we update our profile?
In accordance with clause 7.55 - 7.57 of the DPS Agreement, suppliers are required to have in place cyber essentials basic certification by the award of their first contract under the DPS Agreement. Please refer to the link below for further information re obtgaining cyber essentials certification:
https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/getting-certified/
Customers will request copies of suppliers certificates prior to award of a contract under the DPS and in accordance with the obligations as set out in the DPS Agreement. If a supplier fails to provide the required certification, this may be deemed as a breach of contract and may result in a contract not being awarded.
Answered
01/02/2018 11:34
33. If you are unsuccessful with an application for the DPS, are you able to resubmit with an improved bid?
If your submission to the RM6018 is unsuccessful, suppliers are able to reapply for the DPS subject to CCS approval, following review of the reason(s) for the failure of the suppliers submission. Where a supplier is approved by CCS to reapply for the DPS, CCS will set a specific date when the supplier is able to reapply.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:49
32. Is there a maximum number of suppliers that you will accept to the DPS, and so might it close for new applications when a certain number have been accepted?
CCS can confirm there is no maximum number of suppliers for the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS. The opportunity will remain open for suppliers to join at any time, unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the appropriate clauses in DPS Agreement.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:46
31. The documentation indicates that there is an initial deadline of 16th February 2018, but that the DPS will be open to applications thereafter. Will there be particular time windows when subsequent applications are assessed, or will they be assessed as and when they are submitted?
All bidders who complete the SQ will automatically enter in to 'assessing' stage, this will enable CCS to undertake the necessary review of bidder responses to the SQ to ensure they meet the required selection criteria. CCS and the bidder have a maximum of fifteen (15) working days to work jointly to rectify the issue where possible in accordance with Regulation 34 (Dynamic Purchasing Systems) of PCR 2015.
In the event that the issue cannot be rectified within the 15 working days, CCS will 'reject' the bidders 'Request to Participate' as an interim measure whilst the necessary further actions are undertaken. The bidder can then reapply to join the DPS within a timescale specified by the CCS via the Supplier Registration (Sid4GOV) platform.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:44
30. A response to a previous clarification question states that it is a requirement to have Cyber Essentials basic. We do not currently have this but we are ISO27001 accredited. Is this sufficient to meet your requirement?
ISO27001 can not be used as an alternative to Cyber Essentials.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:35
29. There is no link to 'start cyber essentials' on my 'get started' menu, as described in Research DPS_SQ_DPSQ. Where can I find this?
Please disregard the reference to 'learn more about Cyber Essentials and to gain certification, please
click the "Start Cyber Essentials" link in the Get Started menu on your dashboard as detailed within the Research DPS_SQ_DPSQ of the RM6018 bid pack. Further information in respect of suppliers cyber essentials obligations can be obtained in the DPS Agreement as clause 7.55 - 7.57 and as per the link below:
https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/getting-certified/
Answered
01/02/2018 10:41
