Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) - Product Testing Framework

Suppliers are required to meet the minimum financial standards set out in the PSQ (Appendix F) in the Invitation to Tender document (ITT). They must self-certify their ability to meet these standards in response to sub-question 15.b or 15.c, and confirm they can provide any information required under sub-question 15.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 15.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 15.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 Q15.a of the PSQ in the ITT. Minimum Credit Ratings Suppliers or any Associated Supplier must meet one or more of the minimum credit ratings. Please refer to Q15.b of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q15.c of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q15.d of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q17 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q19 of the PSQ in the ITT.

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 ITT. These questions assess the supplier's ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, 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 Q22 of the PSQ in the ITT. Suppliers must confirm that they are accredited to ISO17025 (or equivalent). Please refer to Q23 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q26 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q27 of the PSQ in the ITT. Suppliers must confirm that they and any Intended Subcontractor have Cyber Essentials certification (or equivalent), or evidence that certification will be achieved prior to Contract commencement. Please refer to Q43 of the PSQ in the ITT.

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 ITT. These questions assess the supplier's ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, 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 Q22 of the PSQ in the ITT. Suppliers must confirm that they are accredited to UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017, CREST or NCSC-Assured Services accreditation (or equivalent). Please refer to Q23 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q26 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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 Q27 of the PSQ in the ITT. 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. Please refer to Q43 of the PSQ in the ITT.