Clarifications
There are 134 clarifications for this DPS
118. Question 56-58 of the Research Insights questionnaire - can you give a definition of the contract i.e can a contract be a grant issued by a public body to carry out work where the public body define it as a grant as opposed to a contract although set objectives where agreed?
With regards to the Contact example we can accept this if the customer has signed the contract example acknowledging that the supplier has satisfactorily completed research works to the agreed and required standard. A template Letter of Confirmation of Works can be found in the Bid pack.
Answered
30/06/2023 11:16
117. Could you please provide the definition and role of Authorised Representative and Marketing Contact? The DPS Core Terms PDF and previous clarification questions do not provide a clear definition.
Authorised Rep is whoever in the supplier's organisation is authorised to sign the contracts, and Marketing Contact is if the supplier has a specific marketing department who deals with marketing things. It's not mandatory to have different people in these contacts, they can all be one and the same person. The important thing is that the main contact is the one that will receive all the opportunities so to ensure that one is up to date and correct.
Answered
06/07/2023 10:40
116. Could you please let us know if there is an Excel sheet with a list of clarification questions and answers? We don't seem to find it.
Please select the 'export' button at the bottom of this page for the excel sheet with all clarification questions and answers.
Answered
29/06/2023 12:06
115. I understand that a draft CRP is acceptable in the first instance, however, it would be helpful to understand the minimum requirements needed in order to progress onto the supplier portal.
Please scroll down and download the Carbon Reduction Plan template at the following address for details of the required information - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0621-taking-account-of-carbon-reduction-plans-in-the-procurement-of-major-government-contracts
Answered
08/06/2023 11:21
114. Is DSPT certification sufficient as an alternative to a Cyber Essentials certificate?
As per the DPS Needs document in the bid pack suppliers must have current Cyber Essential [basic or plus] certification or alternatively
ISO27001.
Answered
10/07/2023 11:09
113. My CCS SQ is in the assessment stage and I tried to change some answers but this was not possible. I have created and submitted a new SQ response which is now in assessment stage. So my question is, will having two completed SQ negatively impact the decision outcome? How can I direct the assessor to the correct SQ?
Please contact support@nqc.com who will be able to direct you on how to resolve this.'
Answered
11/05/2023 15:22
112. Re Carbon Reduction Plan - we have a draft plan, which you said you would allow. We wouldn't put a draft on our website but the question only allows for a link. May we use Dropbox or similar? P.s. you are advertising signing up to the MRS Net Zero Pledge as free which it isn't - it's only available to their accredited partners.
To answer go to https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dashboard/clarifications?cid=@T08=UFdORVRqRlJlazA9NjJN
Answered
11/05/2023 15:22
111. Is this framework only designed for the commissioning of bespoke research projects, or "can off the self" databases of information/market intelligence be sold and purchased through the framework?
This framework is for bespoke research projects rather than off-the-shelf databases which may fall under other CCS frameworks.
Answered
02/05/2023 15:10
110. The SQ keeps requesting an attachment for Q179, please confirm whether or not an answer is required for this question.
If so, please advise on the requirements for the answer in terms of the types of projects that would be deemed relevant and the documentary evidence required. Thank you
Please see section 73 in the 'Read First - RM6126 DPS Needs' document that refers to the questions that are not applicable. To confirm, Q179 is not required to be completed.
Answered
24/02/2023 14:34
108. Our questionnaire is in the assessing stage and has been for a while. Do you know how long it usually takes in the assessing stage?
thank you.
Please raise this with the Crown Commercial Service Customer Service Centre using email address info@crowncommercial.gov.uk. Please include the name of your organisation and your SQ... reference number in the email so that your application can be traced.
Answered
30/01/2023 10:22
107. Is it a requirement for all Suppliers under this DPS to be ISO27001 certified?
No, ISO27001 is not a requirement. There is a mandatory requirement for all suppliers to have Cyber Essentials certifications in order to be appointed. We accept ISO27001 certificate in it's place if you do not have Cyber Essentials, but it is not required as well as Cyber Essentials
Answered
12/01/2023 10:04
104. Can you still sign up to the framework if your current Carbon Reduction Plan doesn't yet meet the criteria but are putting changes in place so it does?
Yes, we are happy to accept a draft Carbon Reduction Plan at this point as an interim measure, please share with us so we can review.
Answered
24/11/2022 11:24
103. Hi - can you advise if an Ethical Walls Agreement can be incorporated into schedules when using the DPS?
Yes, it is possible to add in an Ethical Walls Agreement into the schedules to suit your requirement. There is an area for special terms within DPS Schedule 6 Order Form. Please ensure bidders are aware of any special terms during the procurement to adhere to transparency.
Answered
01/11/2022 10:41
102. I am resubmitting our questions in case they fell through the cracks somewhere:
For DPSQ 177, to what extent are we required to write about our commitment to developing skills through internships? Are there any materials that clarify this?
For DPSQ 178, we are a small opinion polling agency with a limited supply chain (the majority of which consists of pulling respondents through online panels). How do we go about showing that our supply chain supports skills and apprenticeships in line with PPN 14/15?
These questions relate to supplementary information that may be requested from customers if/when required, the application can progress without uploading this information.
Answered
04/10/2022 11:18
101. I have tried several times to complete the DPS questionnaire. I get a ref: SQ SWDW8H2/1 when pressing complete but when I go back to dashboard it says the questionnaire has not been completed. Therefore I cannot progress to the next stage?
It would appear that you have a technical fault with your submission. Please raise a case with Crown Commercial Service (either using the form or the telephone number both of which are on the main Crown Commercial Service web page) to raise a case, which will be passed to the relevant support team to investigate and resolve.
Answered
04/10/2022 11:19
100. A) DPSQ 178 (Upload documentary evidence to demonstrate the process that ensures your supply chain supports skills, development and apprenticeships in line with PPN 14/15). We are a small opinion polling agency with a limited supply chain (the majority of which consists of pulling respondents through online panels). How do we go about showing that our supply chain supports skills and apprenticeships in line with PPN 14/15?
B) Similarly, for DPSQ 177 (Upload documentary evidence to support your commitment to developing and investing in skills, development and apprenticeships). To what extent are we required to write about our commitment to developing skills through internships? Are there any materials that clarify this?
C) Finally on DPSQ 56 (on supplying a case study that demonstrates our technical capability and capacity in delivering a research project). What is the word count limit for the case study we have to provide?
These questions relate to supplementary information that may be requested from customers if/when required, the application can progress without uploading this information.
Answered
04/10/2022 11:18
99. please can you confirm whether question 144 is pass/fail. there are currently two clarification responses providing conflicting information; one states it is pass/fail (no.85 in the exported excel list), the other states it is not (no.16 in the exported excel list).
Question 144 is not pass/fail. We are working on getting the previous (incorrect) response updated, thank you for highlighting this.
Answered
04/10/2022 11:17
98. Assuming we submit a fully compliant application to this DPS, how long will it take to be appointed to the DPS as a supplier? We have a potential client who is seeking to contract with us via a CCS framework and therefore need to understand whether this DPS application process will fit with the client's anticipated start date and timescales for the work to be contracted.
It totally depends on how prepared the supplier is. If they have everything they need in place and there are no issues with their financial stability, and they complete the application promptly, then it can be a matter of a week at most. Our team is very responsive to applications.
The items the suppliers would need are:
- Cyber Essentials basic certification (or ISO27001)
- Insurances: public liability, professional indemnity, employer liability
- one example of research work (a written paragraph) with a letter of confirmation signed by the contracting authority
- carbon reduction plan to adhere to the carbon net zero policy (as an interim measure, we will accept a draft) There is further information on the Carbon Reduction Plan and a template on this page).
All applications are split into the preliminary selection questionnaire and the DPSQ, suppliers can access and start their registration by following this link and scrolling down to Research & Insights and clicking on 'access as a supplier'. This will ensure they are in the right place.
On that same link, they can download the bid pack which has all the information they require. All the requirements including the examples above are defined in the DPS Needs document within the bid pack.
Answered
16/09/2022 10:55
97. Is there an agreed inflation rate stated within the contractual documents? I cannot seem to find any mention of inflation within the core terms.
No, there is no agreed inflation rate stated within the terms and conditions. This would be something that would be addressed at call-off stage with the contracting authority. There is an area for a term on inflation to be inserted into the DPS Schedule 6 Order Form that customer's are encouraged to use.
Any questions about inflation clauses can be raised as part of the clarification period during a call-off competition.
Answered
16/09/2022 10:53
95. Qu 104 We answered No however on review think we should have answered Yes. The assessor of our SQ has mentioned Social Value will need to be checked however there is no way of changing our answer as it has not been opened up for response. Can you confirm how we should amend this?
You can request that your application is put back into Registered 1 on the DPS platform which will allow you to amend the response to any question, including the one regarding Social Value. Then please re-submit and the team at CCS will assess and progress your application accordingly.
To be clear, we have taken your question today as the request and will put you back into Registered 1, allowing you to make the change straight away.
Answered
17/08/2022 09:45