Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems 2 FAQs
CCS recently announced the dates of their QA and Testing for IT Systems 2 agreement. This DPS is definitely one to be on if you fit the bill.
What is the Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems 2 DPS?
This DPS is an update of Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems, building on the success of that framework. The services provided on this DPS will sit alongside in-house capabilities, and will provide testing environments, specialists, QA and more for Public Sector buyers. This DPS was developed with the Home Office, who use the current framework for their QAT service.
When is it coming out?
The OJEU release for this DPS is the 29th October 2019. The applications will open on the 31st October, and the DPS will go live on 2nd December.
So it’s a DPS?
It is indeed – the original plan for Quality Assurance and Testing for IT Systems 2 was for it to be a framework, but this has since been changed to a DPS. This allows suppliers to apply at any time during the life of the agreement, as well as the supplier numbers not being capped, and suppliers being able to determine their pricing at the award stage.
Is there an estimated spend?
Current estimates from CCS are that services for Home Office QAT will be required up to a value of around £30m/year. This doesn’t include services required by Wider Public Sector departments, so this is a conservative estimate for the whole DPS!
What are the Lots?
There are 10 lots on this DPS, as follows:
| Filter Name |
|---|
| 1 - QAT Specialists |
| 2- QA & DevOps |
| 3- Load & Performance Testing |
| 4- QA & Testing |
| 5- Infrastructure Testing |
| 6- Operational Acceptance Testing |
| 7- Strategic QA Consultancy |
| 8- Accessibility QA and Testing |
| 9- Security QA and Testing |
| 10- QA Capability Development |
What’s the application like?
Bidders will register for the Supplier Registration Service (SRS) platform, and complete the online Selection Questionnaire. The SQ is split into two parts – a Standard Selection Questionnaire (which you may have filled out previously if you have applied for another DPS through the SRS platform), and the DPS Questionnaire. Bidders will be appointed if they meet all the selection criteria.
Are there any insurance requirements?
So far, CCS have told us that suppliers are required to have a Cyber Essentials Certificate (or equivalent), and that all personnel deployed are required to have Security Clearance (SC level).
What’s the buying process?
First, the customer will use a filter to shortlist suppliers. Then, they’ll publish a call for competition – if a supplier is then able to apply, they will do so. The Buyer then evaluates the supplier response and awards the contract to the chosen supplier.
Sounds good to us! CCS expects that the Home Office will be a major Buyer on the DPS. Home Office QAT is part of Home Office Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) and provides Quality Assurance and Testing services across the Department, as well as providing support to other departments in using the DPS.
If you’re a supplier of Quality Assurance and Testing services and you want to get onto this DPS, give us a call today!
Share
