Network Services 3

2. VI.3

The PIN for this requirement : 2021/S 000-026025 placed on the 18th October 2021, indicated that the overall value of spend throughout the life of the framework is likely to be £5 billion. Since the placement of the PIN, CCS has become aware of an additional £2 billion spend which is reflected in the total framework value of £7 billion, indicated in II.1.5 above. As part of this contract notice the following documents can be accessed at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1c56011c-9b31-468c-8dc3-3fba9fea0e60 https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a846e024-9a82-46b6-8674-505abc43ab5d The contract will be for a (2+1+1=4 years) 1) Contract notice transparency information for the agreement; 2) Contract notice authorised customer list; 3) Rights reserved for CCS framework. On 2.4.2014 Government introduced its Government Security Classifications (GSC) scheme which replaced Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS). A key aspect is the reduction in the number of security classifications used. All bidders should make themselves aware of the changes as it may impact this requirement. This link provides information on the GSC at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications Cyber Essentials is a mandatory requirement for Central Government contracts which involve handling personal information or provide certain ICT products/services. The government is taking steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in its supply chain through the Cyber Essentials scheme. The scheme defines a set of controls which, when implemented, will provide organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet. To participate in this procurement, bidders must be able to demonstrate they comply with the technical requirements prescribed by Cyber Essentials, for services under and in connection with this procurement for each of the Lots forming this Framework. Some purchases under this framework Agreement may have requirements that can be met under this Framework Agreement but the purchase of which may be exempt from the Procurement Regulations (as defined in Attachment 1 – About the framework within the invitation to tender documentation). In such cases, Call-offs from this Framework will be unregulated purchases for the purposes of the Procurement Regulations, and the buyers may, at their discretion, modify the terms of the Framework and any Call-off Contracts to reflect that buyer’s specific needs. Refer to https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/cyber-essentials-faqs for more information. CCS reserves the right to award a framework to any bidder whose final score is within 1% of the last position. Registering for access: This procurement will be managed electronically via the eSourcing suite. This will be the route for sharing all information and communicating with bidders. If you have recently registered on the eSourcing suite for another CCS procurement you can use the same account for this new procurement. If not, you will first need to register your organisation on the portal. Use the following link for information on how register and use the eSourcing tool: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esourcing-tool-guidance-for-suppliers