Clarifications

140. We're a software as a service company and our customers subscribe to our service online. Can we use an invoice from existing customers as 'confirmation of works' instead of the template provided?

139. Dear Spark DPS,We are newcomers to the UK market, having established a strong presence in 800 hospitals across France. As we venture into the UK market, our commitment to ensuring compliance is of utmost importance, which is why we are enthusiastic about Spark DPS. One of the key criteria that has caught our attention is "ATTACHMENT 8 - LETTER OF CONFIRMATION OF WORKS" along with a case study template.We find ourselves in a challenging situation. Currently, we do not have a UK customer under contract. In this regard, we are seeking your guidance on whether our extensive experience and contract references from our operations in France can be considered in meeting this particular criterion. Additionally, we have previously engaged with a private provider, although the project did not go live. Would it be acceptable to use this as an example?We would greatly appreciate your advice on how best to navigate this situation.Thank you for your assistance.

138. How do you upload a Cyber security certificate within the dashboard?

137. As part of the application for RM6094, we are required to complete "Attachment 8 - Letter of Confirmation of Works (Contract Example) v1" which requires "Wet Signatures" for both the customer and bidder to physically sign on paper with a pen. Since we are based in the UK and the customer is based in the USA, obtaining physical wet signatures is logistically difficult. Therefore, can we leave the "Wet Signature" fields blank and provide "Print Signature" digitally. Please confirm.

136. Dear Sir / Madam, As part of the application on RM6094 we are requirement complete "Attachment 8 - Letter of Confirmation of Works (Contract Example) v1" where it requires "Wet Signatures" for both the customer and bidder to physically sign on the paper with a pen. We are based in the UK and the customer to sign is based in the USA. Therefore, can we leave "Wet Signature" fields blanks and provide the "Print Signature". Kindest Regards

135. Hi there, is there any scope for the Supplier to raise any deviations to the Terms & Conditions as part of our response? If so, at what point of the process between submitting the SQ+DPSQ and signing a call-off agreement with a buyer would we able to raise these? Thank you.

134. Is it necessary to upload financial/economic documentation for Q's 166-172 if we can provide our latest financial report via the official companies house link and pdf document?

133. Hi, In Attachment 7, for the contract example, it states that "Example provided must relate to contracts performed during the past 18 months, *from obtaining DPS appointed status* to be valid as evidence for this procurement" and "Customer contact provided must not have been employed or appointed by your organisation, or from within your associated group of companies, within the past 18 months prior *from obtaining DPS appointed status* on RM6094 to be valid" Both of which suggest that we will first be appointed on to the DPS, and then provide a contract example. However, the ITT states that it is necessary to provide a contract example to be appointed on to the DPS. Can you confirm the meaning of these clauses? And, can you confirm when a contract example needs to have been performed? Within the last 18 months from now (applying), within 18 months of the DPS opening (April 2019), or provided after appointment?

132. Many of the clarification responses state that the SQ Evidence Submission section is non-mandatory, however I cannot proceed without uploading all the requested documents. Please can you clarify whether all the documents must be uploaded. Also, please could you clarify what the "submitting" status means?

131. Q14 states: Does any individual have significant control (greater than 25% share capital) over the organisation i.e. a Person of Significant Control (PSC)? If the PSC is a company, not an individual person, how should we answer question 14, as Q15 does not allow us to enter company details as a PSC.

130. Good Morning - we raised the following question on 24th Mch but do not appear to have received a response? We are in the process of applying under the SPARK DPS and wanted to clarify what you deem to be 'equivalent' for the following requirements: BS EN ISO 9001 "Quality Management System" standard or equivalent. BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard or equivalent. ISO 27001 Information Security Management standard or equivalent.

129. Can you clarify what the deadline date is for applying to join SPARK, we understood the contract was until April 2025 and therefore could apply anytime up to that point?

127. Our organisation doesn't have cyber essentials or cyber essentials plus and we don't have any plans to apply as we already have SOC2 controls in place. We have a document that maps the Cyber Essential controls to our organisations SOC2 controls that we're happy to share. It states our application for Spark will be rejected if we don't state we're going to be onboarding CE or CEP, how should we respond if we already have strong security measures in place?

126. Good Morning. We are planning to supply an AI medical technology consisting of an AI software supporting lung endoscopic navigation, which is placed on the market together with its dedicated hardware. The software and the hardware are non-separable (i.e. shall be provided as a system) since the hardware is part of the Regulatory Approval (CE marking) of the system. The hardware is the PC running the software and providing for the data connection with the other Operating Room imaging equipment that provides real-time images that are processed by the AI software to provide support to the Healthcare professional in catheter/device navigation during pulmonary procedures. Does the SPARK DPS apply to the system?

125. Question 75 requests us to tick our security classification either Offical or Above Official. Our contracts do not require this level of security so we have not applied for this level of security clearance. How do I answer this question to move on to the remaining questions when the system requires a box to be ticked?

124. Is there a deadline for submission to be awarded onto the framework?

123. Hi,we are expert provider of emerging technology advsiroy/discovery services for procurement and supply chain capability? can we fit in to SPARK DPS? or you must have a technology to sale?

122. Are buyers able to Direct Award to a Supplier on the SPARKS DPS?

121. As a US based company do we require to have a UK Company Registration Number to complete an application to join Spark DPS?

120. F02: Contract notice Notice reference: 2022/S 000-007068 Published 15 March 2022, 10:45pm Dear Sir or Madam, Could you please clarify if suppliers which are currently listed on SPARK RM6094, must (re-)submit their (previous) tender by 15/04/2022 if they wish to stay listed on SPARK beyond its current expiry date 15/04/2023? Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely