AI³ Delivery Partners Project - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice

All suppliers that selected this lot that meet the Participation requirements set out in the PSQ and ITP shall be issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Stage 2. The top 5 highest Weighted Value for Money Index scores for each lot from Stage 2 will be taken forward to Stage 3 and issued the Supplementary Invitation to Tender (sITT).

Suppliers are required to meet the minimum financial standards set out in Question 13 of the PSQ (Appendix F) in the Invitation to Participate document (ITP). They must self-certify their ability to meet these standards in response to sub-question 13.b or 13.c, and confirm they can provide any information required under sub-question 13.d. The Authority may verify a Supplier’s ability to meet the financial standards it has self-certified at any point in the Procurement. The Authority may require the Supplier to confirm that the information contained within the relevant Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date and to submit any other information required under sub-question 13.d. Where such information is insufficient, the Authority may request additional information. If the Authority determines that the Supplier does not meet the minimum financial standards set out in sub-question 13.c, or the Supplier fails to provide sufficient information, the Supplier may be excluded from further participation in the Procurement. Associated Suppliers Suppliers may rely on an associated supplier to meet the minimum financial standards. If this is the case, suppliers must provide more detail as as set in Q13.a of the PSQ in the ITP. Minimum Credit Ratings Suppliers or any Associated Supplier must meet one or more of the minimum credit ratings. Please refer to Q13.b of the PSQ in the ITP. Financial Indicators If credit ratings are not met, suppliers must self-certify that they or any Associated Supplier meet at least two of the three financial indicators. Please refer to Q13.c of the PSQ in the ITP. Core Supplier Information Suppliers must confirm that their Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date, and be prepared to provide it if requested. Please refer to Q13.d of the PSQ in the ITP. Insurance Suppliers must confirm whether they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to award of the contract, the level of insurance cover indicated in Q15 of the PSQ in the ITP. Legal Capacity Suppliers must confirm that they have, or will have by the time of Contract award, the necessary human and technical resources to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to protect the rights of data subjects. Please refer to Q17.a of the PSQ in the ITP. Additionally, suppliers must provide details of the technical facilities and measures (including systems and processes) they have in place, or will have in place by Contract award, to ensure compliance with UK data protection law and the protection of data subject rights. Please refer to Q17.b of the PSQ in the ITP.

As part of the procurement process, suppliers are required to provide detailed responses to several compliance and governance-related questions in the PSQ (Appendix F) of the ITP. These questions assess the supplier’s ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, comply with modern slavery legislation, meet cybersecurity standards, and declare any procurement-related conflicts. Responses must be complete and accurate, and in some cases, failure to respond or provide sufficient information may result in exclusion from further participation in the procurement. Suppliers must demonstrate experience of sub-contractor management where they intend to sub-contract a proportion of the relevant Contract. This includes how they have previously maintained healthy supply chains and the procedures used to ensure performance. Please refer to Q18 of the PSQ in the ITP. Suppliers must confirm whether there is an actual, perceived or potential Contract Conflict of Interest which could impact on the duties owed under the relevant Contract. Please refer to Q21.a of the PSQ in the ITP. If there is a conflict, the supplier must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, confidentiality agreements, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q21.b of the PSQ in the ITP. Suppliers must confirm that they are a ‘relevant commercial organisation’ and are compliant with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or alternatively provide a link to an equivalent statement if applicable. Please refer to Q22 of the PSQ in the ITP. Suppliers must confirm that they and any Intended Subcontractor have Cyber Essentials Plus certification (or equivalent), or evidence that certification will be achieved prior to Contract commencement. Suppliers must confirm that they and any intended Subcontractor will comply with ISO27001. Please refer to Q32 of the PSQ in the ITP. Suppliers must confirm whether they, any Associated Person or Intended Subcontractor have an actual, perceived or potential Procurement Conflict of Interest with the Authority or its advisers. Please refer to Q33 of the PSQ in the ITP. If there is a conflict of interest, they must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, access controls, confidentiality agreements, audit rights, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q34 of the PSQ in the ITP.