GOV.UK Clarifications
There are 267 clarifications for this DPS
28. 1. When specifying subcontractors the form asks for the percentage of 'contractual obligations'. It's impossible to provide this percentage at this stage as this will vary based on each individual contract award. How should we answer?
2. Q127 - Our accounts are not audited as we do not meet the threshold for this but we can provide full accounts for the last two years prepared by our accountant - should we answer yes or no?
3. Q130 and Q131 are not applicable as we do not have a parent company, however, there isn't a N/A option as there is with previous questions regarding parent company. Should we answer No or leave blank?
There are other similar questions that do not seem applicable to this contract e.g. the 'Steel' and 'NHS Requirements' sections. Again, should we answer No or leave blank?
Where specifying sub-contractors, the percentage requirement for contractual obligations is an approximate figure only.
In relation to Q127, suppliers should select Yes where they can provide full accounts for the last 2 years.
Q130 and Q131 - where a parent company is not applicable, suppliers should select 'No'.
Part 3 (Steel) Q147 - Q149 are not applicable and suppliers are not required to provide a response.
Part 3 (NHS Requirements) Q158 - Q161 are not applicable and suppliers are not required to provide a response.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:32
27. Please could you confirm what the definition of a sub-contractor is for the purposes of this questionnaire and which sub-contractors need to be listed e.g. should all freelancers be listed or all recruitment agencies that may be used to source respondents? Is a subcontractor defined by the percentage of the project that would be outsourced to them?
A sub-contractor as defined in DPS Schedule 1 of the DPS Agreement which forms part of the RM6018 bid pack, is '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.
Answered
31/01/2018 08:30
26. Regarding audited accounts: Our company is an SME and has exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. Do we need to audit our accounts in order to proceed with DPS? Are any alternatives acceptable?
CCS can confirm where suppliers are exempt from auditing their financial accounts, they can still proceed in submitting a 'request to participate' in the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS.
Answered
31/01/2018 15:12
25. Where you have mentioned that it is required for a company to have Cyber Essentials, would you consider a company having ISO27001 instead to be a sufficient alternative?
CCS can confirm that ISO27001 can not be used as an alternative to Cyber Essentials.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:48
24. Please can you confirm if there is a word or character limit for the supply chain questions and contract descriptions?
The character limit for each contract examples is 4096 as detailed at question numbers 1c and 1d of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire'.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:32
23. We are below the £36m turnover threshold for modern slavery so deem these questions not applicable; please can you confirm that this will not result in non-compliance?
If your organisation does not comply with the Modern Slavery Act criteria, please provide full details in the explanation comment box provided at question 139 of the 'Standard Selection Questionnaire'. In this instance your response would not be deemed as non compliant.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:32
22. n part 3 (Economic and Financial Standing) of the DPS Needs document, it describes the assessment of the economic and financial standing. Will it be required to complete the 'financial assessment' form if our credit reference agency score (Dun and Bradstreet) is above 51?
CCS can confirm if suppliers credit score is 51 or above, no further financial assessment will be required.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:33
21. The information pack outlines that 'bidders can apply to join at any point'. Can you please confirm that we will be able to apply after the 16th February 2018 and that our application will be considered?
CCS confirm that suppliers can request to participate for the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS at any point as detailed in the DPS Needs document of the RM6018 bid pack. The opportunity remains open at all times unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the DPS Agreement.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:34
20. 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?
CCS can confirm that ISO27001 can not be used as an alternative to Cyber Essentials and therefore does not meet the requirement.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:46
18. Could you clarify how an agency should measure its own financial standing and whether they meet the minimum requirements?
Is it a requirement of being successful to have the Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation?
Is it a requirement to have product insurance as our insurance company suggested that was only needed if a physical product is produced?
Could you explain further what you need us to provide in the contract example and if there is a word limit to this?
When completing the RM6018 Research Marketplace questionnaire, the supplier will be asked to provide their Dun and Bradstreet number, which will automatically generate the suppliers financial credit score and determine whether or not the financial threshold of 51 is met or exceeded. It is a requirement to have Cyber Essentials basic as detailed at clause 7.55 of the DPS Agreement which forms part of the RM6018 bid pack. CCS can confirm product insurance is not a mandatory requirement for RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS. The character limit for each contract examples is 4096 as detailed at question numbers 1c and 1d of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire'. Full details of the response requirement for each contract example is detailed at questions numbers 1c and 1d of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire'.
Answered
29/01/2018 16:15
17. Is this opportunity open to start-up businesses? If yes, what financial information would we need to provide to participate if we cannot provide accounts or evidence of historical financial performance?
CCS can confirm the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS opportunity is open to start up businesses. However, for any new business with limited financial accounts, a financial guarantor will be required as detailed in the DPS Needs document (which forms part of the bid pack) at points 22 - 28. Further information regarding financial guarantors is also detailed in clause 13 and Schedule 9 of the DPS Agreement within the bid pack.
Answered
26/01/2018 08:21
16. How do you expect potential clients to use the matrix? Do they have to tick the columns sequentially or can they select sector and/or methodology only?
CCS can confirm the customers can use the DPS Services Matrix filters to select either one or a combination of services from each of the four (4) distinct service categories based on individual customer requirements.
Answered
26/01/2018 08:05
15. How will the contract examples be used? - there are only two for a very extensive and variable list of research sectors and methodologies. Is it only for confirmation as above or again for inclusion against ORS's details for potential clients to use when evaluating if we can do their research?
The two contract examples requested as part of the Selection Questionnaire for RM6018 will not be used as part of a evaluation process undertaken by the customer at call for competition stage.
Answered
26/01/2018 08:05
14. Please can you confirm what we are getting our current clients to sign for. Is it that (i) they confirm we have worked with them and completed the project(s) we have listed. OR (ii) that their names and personal details will be included so that potential clients can contact them?
CCS can confirm the 'Letter of Confirmation of Works' which supports each contract example provided as part of the supplier response to either Q133 and Q134 of the 'Standard Selection Questionnaire' and/ or Q1a and Q1b of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire' is required in this instance to verify that the supplier has completed the projects detailed in the corresponding contract examples detailed in their responses to the question references above in accordance with the response guidance provided .
As detailed in the DPS Needs document which forms part of the RM6018 bid pack, CCS reserves the right to verify information, seek clarification or request evidence or further information in respect of your bid.
Answered
26/01/2018 08:04
13. Can you give some indication of how long the initial assessment stage and compliance checks take once a response has been submitted?
As detailed in the DPS Needs document which forms part of the RM6018 Bid pack, 'bidders who complete the SQ will automatically enters 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'.
Answered
25/01/2018 13:06
12. What is the difference between questions 133-135 in the SQ and questions 1a-1e in the Research Marketplace DPS? Do we need to complete both and, if so, can we use the same case studies for both forms?
CCS can confirm that a response input at Q133 and Q134 of the 'Standard Selection Questionnaire' will automatically populate Q1a and Q1b of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire'. If Suppliers fail to complete Questions 133 and 134 of the 'Standard Selection Questionnaire' they will be required to complete questions 1a and 1b of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire' in accordance with the response guidance detailed.
Furthermore, suppliers are also required to complete questions 1c, 1d and 1e in the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire' in accordance with the response guidance detailed and to supplement their response at questions Q133 and Q134 of the 'Standard Selection Questionnaire' and/ or Q1a and Q1b of the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire .
Answered
23/01/2018 13:19
11. Where do we find an electronic copy of the Research Marketplace DPS form? Do we need to complete the electronic Selection Questionnaire to finish registering before this becomes available?
CCS can confirm and as detailed in the DPS Needs document which forms part of the RM6018 Bid Pack, that if you are successfully appointed to the RM6018 DPS following completion of the electronic Selection Questionnaire and assessment process you will be required to electronically sign the RM6018 DPS Agreement. The RM6018 DPS Agreement Terms and Conditions are those that the supplier agrees to comply with at the beginning of the Selection Questionnaire, and will require supplier final sign off.
To ensure a legally binding RM6018 DPS Agreement between CCS and the supplier, the supplier must select 'Yes' in the required box on the summary page presented at the end of the SQ and prior to appointment following completion of CCS assessing process as also detailed in the DPS Needs document.
Answered
23/01/2018 13:17
10. Is the Selection Questionnaire suppliers are asked to complete when registering with the gov.uk portal exactly the same Selection Questionnaire which is included in the RM6018 bid pack?
CCS can confirm a PDF copy of the Selection Questionnaire that suppliers are required to complete electronically via the Supplier Registration GOV.UK portal is included in the RM6018 Research Marketplace bid pack.
Answered
23/01/2018 13:01
9. Is it possible to send the 'Attachment 1a - Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example 1)' and 'Attachment 1b - Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example 2)' as Word documents so that we can edit these?
CCS can confirm that'Attachment 1a - Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example 1)' and 'Attachment 1b - Letter of Confirmation (Contract Example 2)' can now be downloaded as word documents for editing in the 'Research Marketplace DPS Registration Questionnaire' at question number 1e.
Answered
24/01/2018 14:57
8. Where on the gov.uk portal should we upload our completed bid documents? Are we supposed to email them to researchmarketplace@crowncommerical.co.uk?
To obtain the appropriate instructions to 'request to participate for the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS' and to access the participation bid pack, please follow the link below:
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9378af1a-90ad-473f-8697-b16983a241ca
Answered
23/01/2018 12:59
