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Cyber Security Services 3 DPS

Clarifications

There are 123 clarifications for this DPS

24. Schedule 8 Schedule 8 describes the requirements of a Guarantee but does not obligate a Supplier at this point. In what specific circumstances would a Guarantee typically be required? If the Supplier is able to demonstrate financial standing/viability by other means (i.e sharing previous years' account history), would any Guarantee still be a necessity?
CCS can confirm that a guarantor may be required subject to CCS Commercial Finance team assessment, in the event that a supplier fails to meet the financial threshold score (40) for this DPS, and any subsequent additional financial requirements as specified at section 4.11 - 4.20 of the READ First DPS Needs document which forms part of the bid pack. Guarantors are corporate guarantors and will only be permissable at CCS request as above.
Answered
31/01/2020 11:31
23. 14.3 Core Terms In consideration of the protection GDPR provides, why is it necessary that 'the Supplier must make accessible back-ups of all Government Data, stored in an agreed off-site location and must send to the Buyer copies every 6 Months'.
This is a long standing provision in CCS agreements and not considered over burdensome. If the circumstances of a particular call-off are such that the requirement could not apply then then provision will not be operative.
Answered
10/02/2020 15:15
22. 11.5 Core Terms We note that the Supplier's liability relating to data protection, as per Article 11.5 of the Core terms are uncapped, thereby subjecting potential supplier's to a disproportionate amount of risk for this opportunity. This would appear to be out of step with the accepted normal contracting practice in the industry and may potentially require supplier's to account for contingency measures which could further increase cost in later opportunities. We would request that this be reconsidered as capped. 11.5 Core Terms Further, it is also stated that liability is uncapped for claims regarding an act or omission of the Supplier, any wilful misconduct and any Default by the Supplier relating to any applicable Law to do with the Contract. It further removes a cap for any non-payment of tax and Supplier transfer. The inclusion of such broad terms effectively negates the limit of liability for Suppliers as denoted in 11.2 and therefore again introduces added risk. We would request that these items are limited inside the stipulated cap.
CCS can confirm that following further review of the clarification questions received in relation to the liability clauses within the Core Terms of the Terms and Conditions, a Special Term (7) has now been included in the DPS Appointment Form. The DPS Appointment Form is electronically signed by the Supplier in the DPS Agreeing stage, to enable a Supplier to become 'Appointed' to the DPS (as detailed in Section 6 of the READ First DPS Needs document within the bid pack). This special term (7) removes the unlimited liability on Suppliers for GDPR breach and replaces it with a £10m cap. CCS consider this a reduction in exposure which should reduce Suppliers' perceived risk. Please refer to Attachment 7 - Part 2, in the DPS Bid Pack to locate the amended DPS Appointment Form V2.0 for information.
Answered
13/02/2020 11:12
21. 10.5.2 Core Terms 10.5.2 stipulates that when the contract ends, the Buyer's payment obligations under the terminated Contract stop immediately. Could you please clarify if that applies to obligations completed by the Supplier for which payment is due?
This clause does not strike out any obligation by the Buyer to pay any existing charges which have been properly incurred.
Answered
10/02/2020 15:14
20. 10.7 Core Terms It is understood that within the public sector, consent with regards to Key Subcontractors is often a requirement. However, the contract stipulates 'at the Buyer's request, the Supplier must terminate any Subcontracts if there is a Change of Control of a Subcontractor which isn't pre-approved by the Relevant Authority in writing. What specific circumstances would cause a Buyer to request such termination?
One example would be where a subcontractor is brought under control of an organisation that the public sector would not want to be associated with, or where the public trust in the Authority would be diminished as a result.
Answered
10/02/2020 15:12
19. 4.8 Core Terms 4.8 stipulates that if CCS or the Buyer can get more favourable commercial terms for the supply at cost of any materials, goods or services used by the Supplier to provide the Deliverables and that cost is reimbursable by the Buyer, then CCS or the Buyer may either require the Supplier to replace its existing commercial terms with the more favourable terms offered for the relevant item or enter into a direct agreement with the Subcontractor or third party for the relevant item. This clause seems conditional upon being 'reimbursable by the Buyer', in what circumstances would that arise? Additionally this does not factor into account all variables of the commercial terms a Buyer might achieve Vs what we as a Supplier achieve. All opportunities are won in competition so this does not accurately represent a 'level playing field'.
CCS or the Buyer reserves the right to source third party goods and services where it is clear that these items could be sourced at more competitive rates, in order to achieve the best value for money for the public sector. The provisions in question will remain as drafted.
Answered
10/02/2020 15:11
18. General Are all of the terms and schedules provided non-negotiable? Are terms negotiable at the order Form stage?
All terms and conditions provided for under CCS Terms and Conditions are non-negotiable. Special terms will be set by the buyer prior to releasing their tender documents (including the order form) and would also be non-negotiable.
Answered
28/01/2020 08:16
17. There are two Questionaires to fill in; Attachment 6 referred to in a previous questions is the SQ with no DPS specific questions. Where can you get digital access to the DPS SQ?
Attachment 6 is for information only. Suppliers should read the READ First DPS Needs document for full instructions on how to apply for the RM3764.iii Cyber Security Services 3 DPS on the Supplier Registration Service (SRS) digitial platform.
Answered
27/01/2020 13:51
16. We have just registered and been approved as a supplier to the DPS. However - within the questionnaire, there is no-where for us to specify, that we are NCSC approved for Data Destruction services? All those listed for CESG services, do not relate to Data Destruction? We are a CAS-S supplier and can therefore destroy data, to secret level, but there was no where within the questionnaire to specify this service? Also when completing the questionnaire, under "CESG approved services" data destruction was greyed out? Who should I speak to about this please? I obviously want to ensure we are listed, for the services we can provide?
Following consultation with NCSC, CCS are in discussions with the DPS provider to enable the data destruction and services filter under the NCSC assured route as well as the non-NCSC assured route. In the meantime you can state that you are able to provide these services under the non-assured route. A buyer will request CAS-S certification under this filter if it is what they require. CCS will update all suppliers once the necessary amendment to the Data Destruction filter has been implemented.
Answered
28/01/2020 08:14
15. For question 130 and 131 in Part 3: Economic and Financial Standing of the Standard Questionnaire, we have responded with "no" as we do not have an ultimate parent company. In this case, is that what you would expect as the response?
CCS would expect potential providers to respond as appropriate in accordance with the question, Yes, No or N/A in accordance with your organisations status in the context of the question.
Answered
28/01/2020 08:12
14. Hi, In reference to the document "READ FIRST RM3764iii Cyber Services DPS Needs v1.PDF": - Paragraph 4.35 states various questions which are NOT required for submission. - For Paragraph 4.36, can you please clarify if the questions numbers listed (i.e. Q166 - Q172, Q174, Q176, Q179 - Q185) are Required or NOT-Required for submission? Many thanks
"These questions are not applicable and no evidence is required as part of your DPS submission. Awarding buyers only may request for evidence in accordance with their statement of requirements at award stage. Apologies, the 'Respond' option will only be visible to the User completing the 'Registered 1' submission. This link will be before the 'View' and 'Delete' options."
Answered
10/11/2020 14:50
13. Referring to the "Read First" document, page 15 and 16 - Selection Questionnaire - Not Applicable questions: 4.36 Evidence submission stage for the following questions • Q166 - Q172; • Q174; • Q176; and • Q179 - Q185 Can you please clarify if we are required to submit evidence against these questions? If we do not need to provide evidence here, can you please advise on how we can proceed through the questionnaire as there is no N/A option?
These questions are not applicable and no evidence is required as part of your DPS submission. Awarding buyers only may request for evidence in accordance with their statement of requirements at award stage. Apologies, the 'Respond' option will only be visible to the User completing the 'Registered 1' submission. This link will be before the 'View' and 'Delete' options.
Answered
31/01/2020 11:34
12. Re - 'Please provide a description for this standard Selection Questionnaire' (step 2 of SQ) is this the description that will be shared with buyers or is this for our own SQ tracking purposes only? Thanks
This is for your own SQ tracking only. Your SQ will be shared with buyers subject to your approval and only if they are awarding a contract to your organisation following a further competition.
Answered
28/01/2020 08:11
11. Hi, I am in the process of completing our Supplier Questionnaire, which is showing as 'complete' however it is not completed and I am still working through this. Could you please confirm the date we are able to continue making edits until? Thank you
Please contact the NQC Team at support@nqc.com who can provide further support with your DPS submission
Answered
23/01/2020 14:15
10. Timings. In the "Read First" document it is specified that the DPS is open to buyers competition from 13/02/2020. Could you please confirm how long does the assessing of applications take by CCS? What are the timeframes between the "Assessing" status flag and the "Agreeing" status flag?
CCS have 15 working days in accordance with the PCR2015 to assess a suppliers submission in the event they enter into 'assessing' status, if they fail to meet one or more of the mandatory requirements for this DPS, as specified in the READ First DPS Needs document. However if a supplier successfully completes their DPS submission, they can be 'appointed' to the DPS on the same day that their submission is completed and electronically signed.
Answered
23/01/2020 14:20
9. I have downloaded a copy of the Selection Questionnaire as a document. Is the DPS Questionnaire included as part of the above document? Or is the DPS Questionnaire a new set of different questions please?
CCS can confirm the Attachment 6 - Selection Questionnaire PDF in the bid pack is for information only and provide bidders with visibility of the selection questions contained in the electronic DPS platform in advance of bidders commencing their DPS submission.
Answered
23/01/2020 09:04
8. Hi Team: Question on Attachment 1 - Cyber Services 3 Filter Matrix v1 lists the CNI sectors. Row 11 contains "Civil Nuclear Communications". Is this a typographical error and should read "Civil Nuclear" and "Communications" as a separate entry?
CCS are currently amending the Civil Nuclear Communications sub filter, which will be changed to 2x filters (Communications and Civil Nuclear in the CNI category. CCS will issue a notification to all suppliers once the DPS and all corresponding bid pack documents have been amended.
Answered
28/01/2020 08:10
7. Your emailed response to a Cyber Services 3 DPS clarification question today did not indicate which framework this was for, which is confusing for anone registered on more than one. Please can you include the relevant reference in future?
Thank you for your feedback
Answered
18/02/2020 12:54
6. Dear CCS, Please confirm within parts 3 and 4, whether the following documents are to be added, or intentially missing: Part 3 - Doc 9 Part 4 - Docs 3 and 11 Many thanks!
Joint Schedule 9 (Minimum Standards of Reliability) is NOT USED Order Schedule 3 (Continuous Improvement) is NOT USED Order Schedule 11 (Installation Works) is NOT USED
Answered
22/01/2020 08:14
5. nothing seems to be on DPS Schedule 2 (DPS Application) from attachment 7b, is this correct?
CCS can confirm that the DPS Schedule 2 - DPS Application should read 'Please refer to Attachment 6 - Selection Questionnaire PDF' within the Bid Pack. CCS will amend this schedule and replace within the bid pack in due course.
Answered
22/01/2020 10:26

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