Clarifications

67. As a supplier of Adult Skills Fund who may be using subcontractors what will be the expectations RE Ofsted etc where it is non regulated provision?

66. We have seen a lot of information about the forthcoming Central Digital Platform that is going live on 24th February. What is the relationship (if any) between this RM6348 DPS and the CDP? We are in the process of applying to join RM6348 - if we are successful, will we also be registered on the CDP, or will we have register for the CDP separately?

65. Is the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) commonly used by NHS organisations an acceptable equivalent to Cyber Essentials

63. We have been completing the DPS section of the questionnaire and it looks like it may have submitted before we were ready. Is there a way to go back in and edit our answers please?

62. Our clarification relates to section 3.17.16, where a supplier is unable to meet the 95% invoicing requirements and an action plan must be submitted. In regards to the wording "Plan published on its website (this can be a shorter, summary plan)." Please may we confirm if this is a mandatory requirement?

61. I have selected the adult skills and learning DPS, however when i go to start a new selection questionnaire on the dashboard it only gives the the standard SQ not the one specific to Adult skills and learning. How do I access this?

60. question 1.14.10 - subcontracting - we are a HE provider and we don't have a set formula for delivery as we deliver lots of different training. However we sometime rely on the professional ability of our subcontractors. However, it is impossible to say the percentage at this stage. Can you advise what to do in this scenerio.

59. Question 1.3.1 of the selection question for adult skills fund, we are a HE provider. How do we know whether we say yes or no on this? We have looked through the bid pack and can't see any guidance.

58. Thank you for answering clarification 57. However, it does not really answer our question. We are not due to have an y draft accounts (our first year end will be June '25. and so the clarification does not match our circumstances. Could you provide any guidance to match our circumstances: Newly incorporated June '24; End of year 1 financial period= June'25. We look forward to your response. Thanks

57. We were newly incorporated in June 2024 and so do not have full accounts as yet. Can you signpost the guidance for us please --- so we can upload the correct documentation and we can complete the FVRA spreadsheet accurately

56. In relation to the Adult Skills and Learning Selection Questionnaire Selection Questionnaire Reference: 1734012979. I understand that the stage listed as Registered 1 is showing as finished on the supplier registration portal and we are unable to amend. Can you confirm whether once the Registered 2 Questionnaire has been completed and moved to the assessing stage that we can amend a couple of answers to questions on the Registered 1 Questionnaire?

53. Where a Public Sector Organisation is in the process of obtaining Cyber Essentials Re-certification, Can we still apply to be included on the DPS and be appointed meaning we can participate in further competitions or can we not be appointed to the DPS and participate without Cyber Essentials Re-Certification.

52. Our application was created in July and has had the status "assessing - responding" for a long time. It says it was last edited by a gov employee on the 6th of November. When would we expect to received further news?

50. Some references to the Security Management Plan indicate that there may be a template with some detail already in existence, but Part B - Annex 2 - Security Management Plan (within DPS Order Schedule 9 - Security) is blank. Is there an existing template or are we generating our own template/plan according to requirements as stated within DPS Order Schedule 9 - Security?

49. There are a number of reference to the Security Policy throughout the documentation supplied. Is the Security Policy the DPS Order Schedule 9 - Security or is this referring to another document that we will need a copy of?

48. We are completing the FVRA and cell J23 on tab 3.1 is showing as R and red, however, the corresponding value in cell G23 is within the green ratio (less than 4, lower the better), so we think this RAG rating in cell J23 should be G and green. Is there an error with the formula that needs to be corrected?

47. Our organisation is a 100% asset locked Community Interest Company. So are its subsidiaries and holding company. The Financial Viability Risk Assessment tool allows for two types of company either for profit or non profit . However, CICs report using the standard business accounting methodology with the lock ( non profit element) demonstrated within the accounts. The not for profit spreadsheet is set out using the standard ( restricted/ non restricted) charity reporting methodology. Neither format allows us to input our figures in a clear manner. The problem we have is that as a non profit we can't use the business format because of how it is drafted (it doesn't allow us to state we are a non-profit) and neither can we use the charity format as that would mean reformatting all of our accounts. Either format as they are currently set out means we are unable to submit a true and valid response to the questions. Please can you clarify how we are to report of financials. Many thanks.

45. Hi For the qualification levels questions, we run non-accredited training that aligns with levels 3-5. What should we put for this question, should it be non-qualification or levels 3-5? Thanks

44. We are an FE College and are currently applying to get onto the Adult Skills and Learning DPS. We would like to apply for contracts over £5m but are currently reviewing and working on our Carbon Reduction Plan which will not be ready for at least three months. We would like to apply now for contracts under £5m and wanted to know whether we would be able to update our application at a later date and include contracts over £5m and then add our Carbon Reduction Plan / link?

43. I just tried to log into CCS' Bravo Solutions portal, but for some reason my anti-virus software identified it as a phishing website and wouldn't allow me access. Is my antivirus at fault, or has the portal been taken over and corrupted?