Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides a set of frequently asked questions from users of the Framework which you might find helpful. If you have any further questions or concerns, email us at nationalLGPSframeworks@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 306846.
As part of the user documentation, a Specification of Requirements is provided. In order to be appointed the Providers have met the quality thresholds for this Framework and have demonstrated they have the right expertise to provide the services detailed within this Specification of Requirements.
While each Provider successfully passed a minimum quality threshold, they are not all the same. It is important that you focus clearly on what your organisation requires to ensure the Further Competition helps you select the most appropriate Provider.
Yes, you can direct award from all Lots.
Yes, as long as these are in areas within the overall scope, any additional requirements can be added to the Specification of Requirements. You may want to request that Providers give specific examples in the questions you ask.
Service Providers are not ranked within the Framework. All Service Providers appointed to the Framework are deemed capable, and therefore should be treated in the same way. The Framework would not oblige you to use any specific Service Provider. If you wished to make an appointment under the Framework you would undertake a Further Competition.
This depends on the nature of your requirements. When you run a Further Competition, it is best practice to invite all capable Providers to take part. By nature of their successful award to the Framework, all Providers on the National LGPS Framework for Integrated Service Providers (ISP) and Member Data Services are deemed capable. You would need a clear and justifiable reason to exclude any Provider. Please see the Guide to Call-Off for more information.
You should tailor any questions to your Specification of Requirements. We have ensured that the Providers are able to deliver all the services listed at a generic level and you are testing how they meet your specific requirements.
You will need to assign weightings to each question based on your own specific requirements see the Guide to Call-Off for more detail.
We have tried to build flexibility into the Evaluation Criteria so that you can adjust these to be the most appropriate fit for you. This could include further defining the Award Criteria, inserting Sub criteria and adjusting weightings. You must declare all your Evaluation Criteria within your Invitation to Further Competition.
No, there is no obligation to do so. The main thing is that you declare your scoring mechanism up front within your Invitation Further Competition. However, you may find it helpful to use the scoring mechanism provided in the Guide to Call-Off.
Once you have completed your evaluation, it is recommended that you hold a Standstill period, although this is not a requirement. If you elect to hold a Standstill period, then you need to issue intention to award letters and provide feedback to Providers.
it is best practice to observe a formal Standstill Period, although this is not a requirement. Standstill starts the day after you send out your notification and is for a minimum of ten days (if you notify by post it may be longer). See more detail in the Guide to Call-Off
The Call-Off Terms and Conditions contain a number of clauses and schedules that you are required to complete so the terms fit your organisation. However, The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) specifically state that the parties should not substantially amend the terms laid down in a Framework Agreement. We would suggest that you may want to involve your Legal and Procurement Specialists when reviewing the Call-Off Terms and Conditions.
If you decide to include scored interviews as part of your Further Competition process, you will need to invite all Providers who have a realistic chance of winning. You should make it clear in your Invitation to Further Competition who you will interview e.g. the top three scoring bids who have a realistic chance of winning.
Alternatively, you may choose to use interviews only for clarification and to ratify the scores you have awarded as part of the Quality and Service, you may also only want to interview Providers that have a realistic chance of winning.
Whichever approach you take, you must clearly state your intentions upfront in your Invitation to Further Competition. Please try to avoid carrying out unnecessary interviews for Providers who have no realistic chance of being awarded a contract.
The templates are designed to help you as much as possible in your procurement but are not compulsory. However, if you decide not to use them you may lose a lot of the benefit and value of the Framework. We strongly recommend you use the Order Forms for all orders placed under the Framework, as this has been agreed with Providers along with Call-off Terms and Conditions. These documents will form the contract between yourselves and the successful Provider.
If you have any questions about any of the templates or guides, please contact us on 01603 306846 or NationalLGPSFrameworks@norfolk.gov.uk
This was carried out before the National LGPS Framework was awarded and there is no requirement for this to be repeated at the Further Competition stage.
You will need to publish a Contract Award Notice for any contract you let via the National LGPS Frameworks if their value is over £30,000 inc VAT via Contracts Finder (both Further Competition and Direct Award). This is free to use and is accessible here: www.gov.uk/contracts-finder. Your procurement team should be able to assist you with this.
Please Note: If you are a central government authority, this amount is lower. The requirements differ for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please speak to your procurement or legal team to understand the requirements for these areas.