Clarifications

CCS can confirm if you select 'Not Applicable' to Q.4 of the DPSQ section of the Selection Questionnaire, as you have confirmed in Q.156 that your organisation has Cyber Essentials Plus certification, this would NOT be considered as a fail.

In accordance with clause 9 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 obtaining 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. As your organisation has confirmed that you have Cyber Essentials Plus certification, selecting 'No' to Q.155 amd 'Yes' to Q.156 is acceptable.

CCS can confirm Q.137 of the RM3824 HELGA DPS SQ is not applicable and a response to this question is therefore not required.

In accordance with the DPS Needs document which forms part of the bid pack for RM3824, your organisation will be required to complete the Selection Questionnaire for RM3824 in full, successfully meeting all of the selection criteria to obtain a place on the RM3824 DPS.

CCS can confirm that the pricing and charging structure for RM3824 will be determined by the customer at competition stage, as detailed in DPS Schedule 3 - Charges.

CCS can confirm that the provision of finance/ investment in Service 1 will be used for Advisory services.

CCS can confirm that there is no limit to the number of suppliers that can join each service lot for the RM3824 DPS.

The RM3824 DPS contract end date is the date the DPS platform will terminate. Please refer to the OJEU Contract Notice and the DPS Agreement (Clause 10) for further details relating to the DPS period.

The contract end date for RM3824 as detailed in the Contracts Finder notice is 12/11/2022.

CCS confirm that suppliers can request to participate for the RM3824 HELGA DPS at any point during the lifetime of the DPS, there is no deadline for submissions as detailed in the DPS Needs document of the RM3824 bid pack. The opportunity remains open at all times unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the DPS Agreement and as specified in the OJEU Contract Notice.

CCS confirm that suppliers can request to participate for the RM3824 HELGA DPS at any point during the lifetime of the DPS, there is no deadline for submissions as detailed in the DPS Needs document of the RM3824 bid pack. The opportunity remains open at all times unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the DPS Agreement and as specified in the OJEU Contract Notice.

CCS confirm that suppliers can request to participate for the RM3824 HELGA DPS at any point during the lifetime of the DPS, there is no deadline for submissions as detailed in the DPS Needs document of the RM3824 bid pack. The opportunity remains open at all times unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the DPS Agreement and as specified in the OJEU Contract Notice.

CCS can confirm clause 8.1 and 8.2 of the DPS Agreement for RM3824 has been amended. Please refer to the RM3824 bid pack in the marketplace for access to the DPS Agreement and the revised clauses .

CCS can confirm that appointed suppliers to the RM3824 HELGA DPS, may be required to confirm their maximum deductible threshold if requested by CCS at any point during the lifetime of the DPS Agreement.

CCS can confirm, that the estimated spend value was generated using a wide range of publicly available information on expected future spend across the public sector. This also included extensive market engagement across the supply and customer base. We cannot put definitive figures on expected spend through each of the services given the flexible nature of the DPS agreement and the changing nature of the market.

Suppliers should list all known sub-contractors as detailed in DPS Schedule 7 (Sub-Contractors) of the DPS Agreement which forms part of the RM3824 bid pack. 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 25.1 (Appointment of Sub-Contractors).

CCS can confirm that a supplier can be a main supplier and a sub-contractor to a different supplier(s) who has also been appointed to the RM3824 HELGA DPS.

Bidders will be required to demonstrate competence for the services which they have selected as part of their Selection Questionnaire submission. Customers (buyers) will specify such requirements as part of their statement of works at competition stage.

CCS can confirm that services may be required internationally in one or more of the countries specified. However, exact details of such requirements will be determined by the customer (buyer) at competition stage. Therefore, bidders should ensure they only select the geographical location(s) for which they can provide the required products and/ or services.

The term Advisory, Design and Technical Services comes from the Service heading Energy Advisory, Design and Technical Services and relates to all services which fall under this heading. CCS envisage these being used in areas such as energy consultancy, design of projects and technical advice on particular technologies. Essentially any activity which support energy generation or demand reduction exercises. (Please view Attachment 1 - Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) Filters Matrix contained within the Bid Pack for visibility of products and services available under this agreement).