Clarifications

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1) Out of the total projects that have been awarded on the QAT2 agreement, one has been awarded to a supplier who are based off-shore. 2) In terms of the total number of individuals currently being engaged on live QAT2 contracts, we do not have this information to hand. It will be based on the team makeup of the winning supplier's bid and the state of the work these live contracts are currently at.

1. Could you share the historical data on the total number of projects published and awarded under this DPS so far, along with the corresponding value of these projects? Yes this is something that the team can share - if you sent a request for this, making sure to reference the agreement name to info@crowncommercial.gov.uk then we can send this data over to you. 2. What is the expected frequency of new project opportunities being published under this DPS ? From the activity report I can see there have been multiple customer exports (where a buyer will apply filters and download the list of appropriate suppliers to invite to a tender) in the last month. On average I would expect 1-3 new tenders being published every month. 3. What is the total value of projects published in this DPS to date? To date on QAT2 we have had £241m spend reported, with recent awarded big contracts still active and spend coming in from these. 4. If available, could you provide a recorded session of any previous webinar or any other information materials that can help us better understand how to access and engage with opportunities inside the DPS? I will be hosting a series of QAT2 webinars later this year, I will make sure to post the details of these on the QAT2 webpage. On this page you can also find the buyers guide and links to the Supplier Registration System which will provide guidance on how to engage with DPS tenders.

7) If you can meet the buyers' requirements through use of subcontracting the work then this is allowed under the DPS agreement. However this will need to be made clear within your bid that you are going to do this and the buyer needs to have confidence and accept the supply chain and subcontracting arrangements. 10) If the buyer requires certain user licensing or tools to be utilised as part of their requirements, then they will detail whether this is something they already have set up, are willing to provide and pay for, or something the supplier needs already. This is something you will be able to clarify with the buyer before bidding for a tender. 12) Both situations can happen: the service delivery may be managed by the supplier on the designated site, working against the agreed specification and requirements that have been decided between the supplier and the buyer in the call off contract. If the buyer has agreed to remote work being included then this will also happen alongside the on site work. Alternatively, the buyer may have an in-house team which the suppliers' resource will join, working collaboratively with the Buyer's QAT function. The work plan and schedule for these Deliverables will be agreed with the Buyer's project and programme teams at the start of each engagement along with the detailed reporting and governance arrangements.

Please see answer to Question 51.

Please see answer to Question 51.

As soon as the extension (or replacement agreement) has been decided we will share this information with buyers and suppliers. Updates will also be made to the QAT2 Agreement Page: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6148

Yes, you are allowed to add overseas sub-contractors. However buyers may require subcontractors to be UK based for certain procurements and will also do financial or supply chain checks before awarding call offs. Suppliers can also add new sub-contractors during the lifetime of the DPS.

Please find answers to your queries below, questions which have been missed I will look to answer as soon as possible. 1. Can we plan our business resourcing model combining, "On Site (Buyers premises) - Onshore site (Supplier site - Within UK) & suppliers offshore delivery centre capacity at India"? This can be arranged as a set up for your work stream. It would vary on a case by case basis as some buyers will stipulate different requirements on where the work needs to be done. 2. We understand every buyer's needs could be a different, however, what immediate technical standards/certifications/security measures will be demanded for an Onshore &Or Offshore model, if/when we propose a QA delivery service in whole? (Other than to what's been published/asked/demanded at tender document such as cyber essentials plus etc). Because we assuming Onshore and offshore centres should not be just a floor to accommodate resources, but it must have a plan/standard(s), so we are trying to understand it, for planning. Thank you. This would depend on the buying organisation as you state, anything above the framework agreement requirements (Cyber Essentials, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Employers Liability) will be stated by the buyer. Regarding security clearance, this is one of the 4 filters buyers will use to create their list of suppliers to send an ITT. Buyers will be able to select: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC), Developed Vetting (DV). 3. Like above, we understand every buyer/project's resource needs will be different, however, what immediate resource capacity we might be required to demonstrate to engage for an Onshore &Or Offshore model? You will need to demonstrate that the staff are appropriately trained and qualified to the service level needed. They also need to be vetted using Good Industry Practice and the Security Policy and comply with all conduct requirements when on the Buyer's Premises. 4. Connecting to resource capacity/pool, which category of security clearances are applicable (will be demanded) for each Onsite/Onshore/Offshore resource pool? Regarding security clearance, this is one of the 4 filters buyers will use to create their list of suppliers to send an ITT. Buyers will be able to select: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC), Developed Vetting (DV). An equivalent security level may be accepted too 5. Connecting above, for L6 & L7 category roles do we (supplier) have any scope to utilise highly skilled staff not eligible for SC/DV for any on-demand/few/key agreed technical dependency QA tasks deliveries at any of Onsite/Onshore/Offshore centres, through a prior agreement? This would need to be agreed by the buyer within the call off terms. 6. Connecting above, can we engage/deploy Individuals/Coordinators not eligible for SC/DV for any few/key agreed coordination activities between teams/QA deliveries at any of Onsite/Onshore/Offshore centres, through a prior agreement? This would need to be agreed by the buyer within the terms of the contract. 8. There might be few scenarios where we have an eligible candidate for SC/DV clearance but with little/no experience with any specific application/experience in test/QA. Can we engage them through experience discloser engagement for roles of L1 - L4 category? The staff used will need to appropriately trained and qualified to the service level needed. 9. Connecting with Quality Assurance (QA) Capability Development, when/if we want to bring/propose a new QA approach/delivery framework beneficial for authorities/buyers including upskilling job opportunities for youth/graduates within UK, what support/encouragement is in place! &OR what additional support we can expect from DPS authorities/buyers, when our proposal is long lasting solution/method and not beneficial for any just one/two specific deliveries! & How should we present and when we would be allowed? When the agreement is nearing the end of its lifetime, CCS will open up engagement session with Supplier and Buyers to hear their thoughts in order to help the direction and make up of the next iteration of the agreement. In this period you are free to attend and give your suggestions and help CCS build an affective new agreement for QAT services. 11.Connecting to point above, who will manage the resources or assign the tasks for any L1 - L5 staff deployed onsite? This will be agreed within the contract and the Statement of Works, more details can be found in the DPS schedules 13. General: We understand, this DPS is coming to an end on July 1st, 2025. However, can we still register during July/August 2024? Yes, you will be able to join the DPS at any time before the closing date 14. Connecting to above question, do we need to re-enrol in future when the DPS is reappeared after July 1st, 2025, or will it be autorenewal? It depends on what the future of the agreement will be. If this is a standard extension then no renewal will be needed. If there is a new agreement made (QAT3 for example), then we will let suppliers know how to apply to this. 15. Flexibility: Do resources engaged for onsite activities have any flexibility for remote work with frequent visit/reporting to buyer site? Or does it demand daily visit to buyer site? Connecting to same, what roles are MUST require daily visit to buyer site? This will be stated by the buyer in their specification or you will be able to ask them this question with the specifics of the onsite work and terms within the competition process. 16. IR35: Most of our engagements are subcontracting &or fulltime engaged staff. So, we would like to understand what roles/engagements would fall inside IR35 & outside IR35? Assessment for IR35 will have to be made by the buyer at call-off and this will have to be confirmed in the request for proposals. There is no blanket IR35 determination for services required to be delivered under this framework.

I can confirm that the DPS application will not allow non-UK postcodes. Instead, you can use the address of the platform as a workaround: M4 6JA . Then if you let us know the correct postcode we can make an offline copy of this information.

Please refer to the READ First DPS Needs document for full instructions to support the submission process for this DPS. Subcontractors from countries outside of the UK are permitted, however you will need to apply with the prime supplier which is the UK based company, and then add the key subcontractor using Joint Schedule 6 (Key Subcontractors) and send this information to CCS.

This will be the current team size, as it will influence a buyer's downselction when using the filter options. If a supplier wishes to increase their team size over the duration of the DPS they can amend their services to show this.

This DPS agreement is for 4 years and can be extended up to 7 years. 1 year extension has been exercised and the new expiry date is 01/12/2024.

Please refer to the READ First DPS Needs document for full instructions to support the submission process for this DPS.Wihtin this document it details that 'we do not require all Subcontractors to be disclosed. You need only disclose those Subcontractors who directly contribute to your ability to meet your obligations under the DPS Appointment Form (including under any Contract Agreement following a Competition Procedure). There is no need to specify Subcontractors providing general services to the Supplier (such as window cleaners etc.) that indirectly enable the Supplier to perform the Services required for the DPS. Please read the definition of Subcontractor in the DPS Appointment Form.' Subcontractors from countries outside of the UK are permitted.

"PCR reg 64 states that ""(7) Economic operators shall not be obliged to be registered on an official list or to provide a certificate issued by a certification body in order to participate in a public contract. (8) Contracting authorities shall- (a)recognise equivalent certificates from bodies established in other member States, and (b)accept other equivalent means of proof."" From this you can see that ISO 27001 can also be accepted. You can answer the questions to the similar certificates as "yes", and then indicate to any potential buyers on the DPS that you will be using the alternative certificate, as allowed by CCS.

If the fields are not applicable to these customers then you can fill in the section with a relevant alternative or leave them blank, please do not delete these sections.

The Management Charge for RM6148 Quality Assurance and Testing 2 is 1%

Please contact NQC on 0161 413 7982 who will be able to assist you with this request.

Please contact NQC on 01614137982 who will be able to assist you with your application. This section is for Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems 2 DPS clarification questions.

The Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems 2 DPS does not require a Letter of Confirmation of Works to be submitted.