Clarifications

174. Question 96 - we want to ensure that customers nationwide know we can provide bespoke training. Does using our head office postcode and selecting United Kingdom under the "within" tab achieve this?

172. Apologies, in Clarification No. 171, it should read as Qs 177 and Q 178 in the SQ Evidence Submission, instead of Qs 176 and Q 177.

171. Response to Clarification No. 168 provides that "Questions 144-146 in the SQ are not mandatory so you may respond but they will not be assessed." Given Policy Procurement Note 14/15 is withdrawn and that response to Questions 144-146 in the SQ will not be assessed, do we still need to go provide documentary evidence to Qs 176 and Q 177 in the SQ Evidence Submission section? How might we do that given the withdrawn policy? Thank-you.

169. We've completed the SQ and there is now a line below that says 'SQ Evidence Request', however, there seems to be nowhere to upload this evidence or any links or emails to send it to. Can you advise please? We also put down that we could obtain completion certificates from customers on request, not realising that this would hold up access to the DPSQ because we would be required to have them at this early stage. Whereas our customers would be happy to sign them, it's not something that we'd usually ask for. To get certificates written, completed and signed for all contracts for the past 3 years is a big task for an SME. Is there a way to change our answer to that question, so it doesn't hold us up?

168. Part 3: Skills and Apprentices of the Selection Questionnaire asks us the following: 144. Please confirm if you will be supporting apprenticeships and skills development through this contract. Guidance for supporting apprenticeships directs us to Policy Procurement Note 14/15. However, this policy is withdrawn as per https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1415-supporting-apprenticeships-and-skills-through-public-procurement. How do we approach the questions in Part 3 given the withdrawn policy?

167. Whilst attempting to use the Learning and Training DPS the filtering system is generating a large amount of suppliers (over 50). Is there any other way to further shortlist the suppliers, for a quicker route to market?

166. In the Generic Prospectus, we are receiving an error message for every free text question response box, stating "This field does not match the required format in question X" & subsequently deleting all our responses when we try to "Save and view". Is there an issue with the portal currently or please can you advise what formatting is required. We are unable to proceed without your assistance.

165. As the owner of my own company, operating as a sole trader for just a few months, I have a background in the tech industry, having worked in this field throughout my entire career. The particular question in the questionnaire pertains to the Cyber Essentials certification, which comes with an approximate cost of £400. While I acknowledge the importance of cyber security and consider myself well-versed in the subject matter, the certification cost poses a challenge for me, especially considering that my primary focus will be on delivering learning and training sessions. I am reaching out to inquire if there might be any alternatives or workarounds to fulfil this requirement, given my specific circumstances.

163. In the Generic prospectus, there is a need to provide a website link to a quality assurance report. Can you please explain what this report need to contain?

162. I have completed an SQ for the following RM6219 Learning and Training Services DPS Profile Selection Questionnaire Reference SQ-7B4DFDS in October 2022 and it still says assessing. Can you advise if I have completed the correct SQ documents and advise of when a decision will be made?

161. I am seeking clarification on the definition / interpretation of subcontractors (in the context of needing Cyber Essentials) - would printers (or hard copy material) be seen as a supplier or a sub-contractor, and therefore does the requirement for Cyber Essentials extend to this service?

160. Hi there, we submitted our application 7 weeks ago and it says that the status is still "assessing". Could you confirm when we can expect to hear as to whether or not or application to join the framework was successful? Thank you

159. Re SQ-SS3R4P2 - I submitted our DPSQ responses and evidence on 15th May and have not received anything since. The Stage has been showing as "S" since that date. Can you please advise if you are reviewing it or am I supposed to do anything further? Many thanks

158. In completing the RM6219 SQ, Part 3 and providing details of example contract, please could you advise how the point of contact provided will be contacted, and also what information will be asked of them (e.g. confirmation of work, or completion of a questionnaire/evidence of work completed)? As a matter of politeness we want to ensure contacts provided are aware of what may be required from them. Thank you.

157. We have raised a ticket with NQC and spoken to CCS' Helpdesk regrading an unresolved issue with the Learning & Training questionnaire. We are unable to submit the requested evidence as all of the upload questions are mandatory, when in fact only 3 are required to be answered for the purpose of the DPS. Please can CCS confirm that it will be acceptable to upload blank documents for the evidence that is not relevant to progress to the next stages?

156. I am the Finance Manager at Nudge, currently completing the Learning and Training DPS SQ. I require clarification on the following questions: Part 3: Relevant Experience - Please can you clarify, does this mean examples of any past contracts we have signed to provide the same service we are applying for, with customers not necessarily in the public sector? Part 3: Past Performance. Are you able to clarify for us what a 'performance certificate' is? I have since seen guidance that these questions should be ignored for the purpose of our application. I see the Cyber Essentials Certification is a minimum requirement, however we are already certified under ISO27001 which covers all the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Certification and more. Could you confirm if we are still required to complete the Cyber Essentials Certification or if this requirement can be waived given the above

155. How do we update the compliance officer if we have already completed part of our application to be on the framework?

154. Thank you for your reply. I have successfully reached the DPSQ questionnaire and have made it to the generic training services questions. I saved the generic services questionnaire and logged out. I now cannot find it again. My dashboard shows me the DPS registration 1 & 2 submissions. When I select 'continue questionnaire' I go straight to evidence submission. Can you tell me how to find the generic training services questionnaire again?

153. Hello, I have completed and submitted the Selection Questionnaire but I must have made an error as I was not directed on to the DPSQ. The SQ is now no longer available. Is it possible to still complete the DPSQ? Or do I have to start another SQ in order to be able to access the DPSQ?

152. In regards to the Schedule 8 - Self Audit Requirements, bidders are required to confirm orders/invoices procured that we could not do through this DPS. What are the penalties if this could have been done via the DPS? What are the implications of customers choosing not to use the DPS? If we are encouraging customers to use the DPS as opposed to their initial procurement method, this could jeopardise any potential business or cause bidders to be excluded from other public sector tender processes.