http://www.nwda.co.uk/docs/00217_PQQ

NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE (PQQ)

REFERENCE: NWDA00216

GENERAL RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Purpose of this document The Northwest Development Agency (the “Agency”) requires the information sought in this questionnaire from applicants responding to the OJEU notice for General Recruitment Advertising.

The provision of a full recruitment advertisement service from copy writing, design, and placement of advert on website or publication.

Responses to the pre-qualification questionnaire will be used in the first step of selecting applicants to tender. Selected applicants will be invited to participate further in the procurement.

This is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Restricted Procedure, under the EC Services Directive, as implemented by the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.

Organisation of this document This document contains three sections: 1. background information and instructions for completion; 2. evaluation approach; 3. the pre-qualification questionnaire.

Background Information The NWDA requires assistance to design, development, and place recruitment advertisements in appropriate media. This service will entail copywriting of the advert, design of artwork, advising of the appropriateness of media, providing innovative solutions to attract the target audience, and placement of the advert in the media.

Outline Timetable Return of Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

28 June 2007

Anticipated tender issue date

20 July 2007

Anticipated contract award date

8 October 2007

Instructions for Completion Responses to the questionnaire must be returned in a blank envelope, with the PQQ label affixed to the envelope (the PQQ label is available for download from the www.nwda.co.uk/tenders website).

Two copies of the completed questionnaire should be submitted in paper format to the address provided on the PQQ label by the due date (and one copy on CD).

PQQs must not be submitted via e-mail.

PQQs must be returned to: Tender Board, Northwest Development Agency, Renaissance House, PO Box 37, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1XB (as stated on the PQQ return label).

Applicants should answer all questions as accurately and concisely as possible.

Where a question is not relevant to the applicant’s organisation, this should be indicated, with an explanation.

Supporting information should be presented in the same order as and should be referenced to the relevant question.

Questions must be answered in English.

Responses will be evaluated in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 2. In the event that none of the responses are deemed satisfactory, the Agency reserves the right to consider alternative procurement options.

Failure to furnish the required information, make a satisfactory response to any question, or supply documentation referred to in responses, within the specified timescale, may mean that an applicant will not be invited to participate further.

The information submitted will be held, in confidence by the Agency and used for the purpose of determining applicants’ suitability for meeting the Agency’s general requirements for the provision of the above services.

Further assessment and shortlisting may be required before any award of business, which may be subject to a formal separate contract.

The applicant is responsible for obtaining all information necessary for the preparation of its proposal. In addition, the applicant will bear all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with the preparation of its submission and all further participation in the procurement process.

It should be noted that the information given at this stage will be subject to verification at later stages of the procurement process. If any error, omission or misrepresentation is discovered, the Agency reserves the right to disqualify the applicant from further participation in the process, no matter what stage the process has reached.

The Agency does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or indeed any, tender.

Single point of contact Applicants have been asked to include a single point of contact in their organisation for their response to the pre-qualification questionnaire. The Agency shall not be responsible for contacting the applicant through any route other than the nominated contact. The applicant must therefore undertake to notify any changes relating to the contact promptly.

Consortia and sub-contracting Where a consortium or sub-contracting approach is proposed, all information requested should be given in respect of the proposed prime contractor or consortium leader. Relevant information should also be provided in respect of consortium members or sub-contractors who will play a significant role in the delivery of services or products under any ensuing contract. Responses must enable the Agency to assess the overall service proposed.

Where the proposed prime contractor is a special purpose vehicle or holding company, information should be provided of the extent to which it will call upon the resources and expertise of its members.

The Agency recognises that arrangements in relation to consortia and sub-contracting may be subject to future change. Applicants should therefore respond in the light of such arrangements as are currently envisaged.

Please provide details of the proportion of any contract awarded under this contract that the prospective partner proposes to subcontract.

The Agency may seek independent financial and market advice to validate information declared or to assist in the evaluation. References, site visits, demonstrations and/or presentations are unlikely to be requested at this stage.

Queries about the procurement Any questions about the procurement should be submitted to Andrew Chester at andrew,chester@nwda.co.uk or telephone 01925 400124.

If the Agency considers any question or request for clarification to be of material significance, both the query and the response will be posted on the NWDA website at www.nwda.co.uk/tenders in an anonymous form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check this website periodically before the PQQ return date to check for any updates and to incorporate these updates into its submission.

Timetable Responses must be received by 10.00am 28 June 2007. Responses received after this date may be disregarded.

Important Notices 1.1

The information in this document provides an outline of the restricted procedure procurement process that the Agency intends to follow, although it reserves the right to amend this process or cancel the procurement at any stage without prior consultation. Under no circumstances will the Agency or its advisers be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by applicants during the procurement process. Expressions of interest are only sought from organisations that are agreeable to these arrangements.

1.2

The information in this PQQ is provisional and will be superseded by the Invitation to Tender.

1.3

The information provided is intended only as an explanation of the Agency’s requirements and is not intended to form the basis of an applicant’s decision on whether to enter into any contractual relationship with the Agency. The information provided shall not form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract.

1.4

Whilst all materials supplied have been prepared in good faith the information provided has not been independently verified and does not purport to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that a prospective supplier may require. Applicants are responsible for making such checks and investigations as they consider appropriate. The supply of the information provided to applicants does not constitute an obligation to give further information or to update the information provided or to correct any information that is incomplete or inaccurate.

1.5

None of the Agency’s directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents or advisers (together the “Issuers”) make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information provided. Applicants considering responding with a view to entering into a contractual relationship with the Agency should make their own enquiries and investigations of the Agency’s requirements.

1.6

Neither the Agency or the issuers shall be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance on the information provided. The subject matter of this information memorandum shall only have any contractual effect when it is covered and contained in the express terms of an executed contract.

1.7

The issue of this document in no way commits the Agency to award any contact pursuant to the bid process nor does it constitute an offer to enter into a contractual relationship.

1.8

Save as provided below, in no circumstances shall the Agency or the issuers incur any liability whatsoever or be liable for any expenses incurred by candidates at any time. Any and all liability in relation to this information memorandum is hereby expressly disclaimed and excluded to the maximum extent permissible by law. The exclusions of liability contained in this paragraph do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by the Issuers’ negligence and/or to fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation by the Issuers.

1.9

The information provided is not, nor is it to be taken as, the giving of investment advice by the Agency or any of the issuers nor is it an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity.

Freedom of Information Legislation 1. The Agency may be obliged to disclose information provided by applicants in response to this PQQ under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all subordinate legislation made under this and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (“the Freedom of Information Legislation”).

2. Applicants should be aware that the information they provide could be disclosed in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Legislation. The Agency will proceed on the basis of disclosure unless an appropriate exemption applies. Applicants should be aware that despite the availability of some exemptions, information may still be disclosed if the public interest in its disclosure outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. No response to this PQQ should be covered by a general statement regarding its overall confidentiality; instead any specific areas of confidential information should be highlighted in accordance with paragraph 3 below. The Agency accepts no liability for loss as a result of any information disclosed in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Legislation.

3. Applicants should highlight information in their responses which they consider to be commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, and should state the precise reasons why they consider this.

4. The Agency will use reasonable endeavours to consult with applicants over the release of information which is highlighted by them as commercially sensitive or confidential.

2.

EVALUATION APPROACH

Supplier Selection The objective of the selection process is to assess the responses to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire and select potential suppliers to proceed to the next stage of the procurement.

Selection criteria will be a combination of both financial and non-financial factors and will consider: a) Supplier Acceptability – status of supplier (in relation to Regulation 23(4) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No 5)). A summary of Regulation 23(4) is included in Section 4. b) Economic and Financial Standing – the supplier must be in a sound financial position to participate in a procurement of this size as set out in Regulation 24 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No 5). This may entail independent financial checks. c) Supplier Track Record - The supplier must be able to demonstrate a successful track record of providing similar services to those listed in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice as set out in Regulation 25 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 5). d) Supplier capacity and capability – Assessment of the totality of resources and core competences available to the supplier(s) in the delivery of this service.

Failure to provide a satisfactory response to any of the questions may result in the Agency not proceeding further with the applicant.

The information supplied will be checked for completeness and compliance before responses are evaluated.

Evaluation of subsequent stages will be undertaken in accordance with the overall Evaluation Strategy for the project. The high level Evaluation Criteria for the project are as follows:

Section number of Pre Qualification Questionnaire Section 3.2.5 – Number and location of premises Section 3.2.6 – Brief history of your organisation Section 3.3 – Prime Contractor Section 3.4 – Compliance with EU / UK Procurement Legislation Section 3.6 – Financial Section 3.7 – References Section 3.8 – Disputes Section 3.9 – Business Capability Section 3.10 – Capacity and Technical Section 3.13 – Terms and Conditions

Weight 2 2 2 In / Out In/Out 2 2 2 5 In / Out

Weightings definition applies as follows: 5 - Is perceived as essential requirement 2 - Is perceived as preferred/minimum requirement 1 - Is perceived as desirable requirement or is for information only (ie no impact) IN/OUT Questions are perceived as mission-critical requirements, and thus will not attract a score or weighting, but will determine whether a Supplier remains in the process.

FI- For information purposes only.

Each question within the pre-qualification questionnaire will be scored as follows: 5 – excellent, significantly exceeds expectations 4 – very good, exceeds expectations in some respects 3 – good, exceeds expectations in a few respects 2 – fair, very few instances of exceeding expectations

1 – poor or limited answer 0 – extremely poor or no answer Where in the opinion of the Agency the response is inadequate the applicant may be excluded from further consideration.

The Agency intends to award any contract based on the most economically advantageous offer.

3.

PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE

NWDA00217 – GENERAL RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING 3.1 ORGANISATION IDENTITY 3.1.1 Name of the company (Prime or single contractor) in whose name the tender would be submitted 3.1.2 Contact name: 3.1.3 Address:

3.1.4 Telephone number: 3.1.5 Facsimile number: 3.1.6 E-mail address:

3.1.7 Registered address if different from above: 3.1.8 Registered Number

3.2. ORGANISATION INFORMATION 3.2.1 Is your organisation:

i) a public limited company?

Y/N

iii) a sole trader?

Y/N

ii) a limited company?

Y/N

iv) a partnership?

Y/N

3.2.2 Confirmation that an organisation structure chart is enclosed with this completed questionnaire?

3.2.3 Is your company a subsidiary of another company?

Y/N

Y/N If Yes, please provide the name and registered office address of:

The holding or parent company The ultimate parent company (if applicable) 3.2.4 Executive Directors/ Partners: Name

Responsibility

3.2.5 Number and locations of premises from which your organisation provides services similar to those required by the Agency

3.2.6 Brief history (not more than 200 words) of your organisation

3.3. PRIME CONTRACTOR 3.3.1 Please tick the box below which applies a) Your organisation is bidding to provide the services required b) Your organisation is bidding in the role of Prime Contractor and intends to use third parties to provide some services 3.3.2 If your answer to 3.3.1 is (b) please identify intended subcontractors/ partners for the bid (if currently known) below: Organisation name

Organisation address and contact details

Service provision responsibility

3.3.3 Please give a brief outline on your policy regarding the use of sub-contractors and, if applicable, the extent to which you might envisage using them for this requirement.

3.4. COMPLIANCE WITH EC LEGISLATION/ UK PROCUREMENT LEGISLATION Do any of the circumstances as set out in The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No: 5) Regulation 23(4) apply to your company

Y/N

If yes, please supply details:

The Agency may seek evidence at a later date, in confirmation of your answer.

A summary of the circumstances of Regulation 23(4) is provided below.

SUMMARY OF INELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS PROVIDED BY REGULATION 23(4) OF THE PUBLIC CONTRACTS REGULATIONS 2006 (SI 2006 NO 5) This summary is offered only as an indication for the convenience of bidders. Bidders should refer to the Regulations and satisfy themselves that they are not ineligible.

Regulation 23(4) sets out the grounds on which a services provider may be deemed ineligible to tender for or be awarded a public contract. Rejection is permissible when a Service Provider: -

is in a state of bankruptcy insolvency compulsory winding up, administration, receivership, composition with creditors or any analogous state, or subject to relevant proceedings;

-

has been convicted of a criminal offence related to business or professional conduct;

-

has committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of business;

-

has not fulfilled obligations relating to payment of social security contributions;

-

has not fulfilled obligations relating to payment of taxes;

-

is guilty of serious misrepresentations in supplying information required by the Agency or other public body under the Regulations

-

is not in possession of a licence or not a member of the appropriate organisation where the law of that State requires it; or

-

subject to paragraphs (7) and (8) of Regulation 23, is not registered on the professional or trade register of the relevant State in which established

3.5. QUALITY ASSURANCE 3.5.1 Please provide details of any quality assurance certification that your company holds e.g. IS0 9000 or equivalent standard. Please include a copy of any certificate.

If no accreditation is held, please attach an outline of your quality assurance policy.

3.5.2 Please provide details of any quality assurance certification for which you have applied

3.5.3 Please provide details (including examples) of your standard management information reporting capabilities.

3.6. FINANCIAL Please note that the Agency’s standard payment method is via BACS The following financial information is required to be provided. (a) A copy of the most recent audited accounts for your organisation that cover the last two years of trading or for the period that is available if trading for less than two years. (b) A statement of the organisation’s turnover, Profit & Loss and cash flow position for the most recent full year of trading (or part year if full year not applicable) and an end period balance sheet, where this information is not available in an audited form at (a). (c) Where (b) cannot be provided, a statement of the organisation’s cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit facility position. (d) If the organisation is a subsidiary of a group, (a) to (c) are required for both the subsidiary and the ultimate parent. Where a consortium or association is proposed, the information is requested for each member company. (e) A separate statement of the organisation’s turnover that relates directly to the supply of this service for the past two years, or for the period the organisation has been trading (if less than two years). (f) Parent company and/or other guarantees of performance and financial standing may be required if considered appropriate. Confirmation of the organisation’s willingness to arrange for a guarantee or a performance bond (g) Has your organisation made any application for third party funding – including State Aid assistance – in relation to the services you are intending to provide? (h) Please give address to which Payment/Remittances should be sent:

(i) Please also advise if your invoice address is different from the above:

Y/N

3.7. REFERENCES 3.7.1 Is your organisation an approved supplier under Catalist, G-Cat, S-Cat, L-Cat, P&CS Directory?

Yes/No

3.7.2 Is your organisation an approved supplier under any other OGC scheme or is it party to any OGC approved framework agreement?

Yes/No

3.7.3 Details of three major recent private sector contracts you have been awarded for the provision of services similar to those required by the Agency Customer name and address

Contact name and Telephone number

Date contract awarded

Contract reference and brief description of service undertaken

Names of subcontractors and/ or consortium members and their role

1.

2.

3.

3.7.4 Details of any major recent contracts you have been awarded by organisations in the wider public sector (e.g. government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, RDAs) for the provision of services similar to those required by the Agency Customer name and address

Contact name and Telephone number

Date contract awarded

Contract reference and brief description of service undertaken

Names of subcontractors and/ or consortium members and their role

1.

2.

3.

Note. The Agency may elect to contact any of the given companies for a reference. Your permission to do so will be assumed unless you explicitly state any objections.

3.8. DISPUTES 3.8.1 For the last 3 years, details of contracts where there has been a failure to complete the contract on time or at all, or where there have been claims for damages, or where damages have been deducted or recovered. Also details of any contracts terminated.

Customer name and address

Contract reference and brief description of services provided

Date of claim/ contract termination

Reason for claim/ contract termination

3.8.2 Are there any court actions and/ or significant employment tribunal hearings outstanding against your organisation?

Y/N

If Yes, please provide details:

3.8.3 Has your organisation been involved in any court action and/ or significant employment tribunal over the last 3 years?

Y/N

If Yes, please provide details:

3.9. BUSINESS CAPABILITY 3.9.1 The principal areas of business activity of your company

3.9.2 To which professional or trade bodies your organisation belongs

3.9.3 The number of staff currently involved directly in the provision of services similar to those required by the Agency: Permanent staff numbers

Third party staff numbers

3.9.4 Details of staff turnover as percentage of your workforce for the last 3 years 3.9.5 Please describe on a separate sheet (maximum 400 words), your previous experience of providing services similar to those required by the Agency 3.9.6 Is your organisation registered under the Data Protection Act 1998?

Y/N

If Yes, please provide your registration number:

3.9.7 Details of your organisation’s Health and Safety at Work Policy

3.9.8 Does your organisation have an Environmental Policy?

Y/N

If No, please give reasons

3.9.9 Does your organisation fully comply with the provisions of the appropriate Acts on Disability, Equal Opportunities, Sex and Race Discrimination?

Y/N

3.10. CAPACITY AND TECHNICAL 3.10.1 In support of the supplier’s PQQ submission, interested suppliers must provide the following information: (a)

Average length of time from specification to confirmation of placement of advert over a 12 month period.

(b)

Average length of time from specification to acceptance of advert by publisher over a 12 month period.

(c)

Six examples in total of adverts produced and advertised on the internet (x2), in Newspapers (x2) and Trade Publications (x2)

(d)

Names of publications that adverts have been previously placed in and the number of advert placements in the last financial year in each publication.

(e)

Examples of the guidance that can be provided when assessing media to ensure coverage of target audience for advert.

3.11. COMMENTS 11.1 Any general comments you wish to make

3.12. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Where there is any indication that a conflict of interest exists or may arise, then it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to inform the Agency, detailing the conflict in writing as an attachment to this document.

The Agency will be the final arbiter in cases of potential conflicts of interest. Failure to notify the Agency of any potential conflict of interest will invalidate any verbal or written agreement. *A Conflict of interest is where a person who is involved in the procurement has or may be perceived to have a personal interest in ensuring that a particular tenderer is successful. Actual and potential conflicts of interest must be declared by a person involved in a tender process.

Are you aware of any conflict of interest between your company and the Agency

Y / N*

3.13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT Y/N Your Company agrees to carry out all contracts and/or other awards of business in accordance with the Agency’s standard Terms and Conditions of Contract for Services.

3.14. FORM COMPLETED BY: Name

Position

Date

Telephone number

E-mail address

Mandatory Attachments Checklist •

Organisation chart (Q3.2.2)

•

Quality Certificate (Q3.5.1)

•

QA Policy (Q3.5.1) if not accredited

•

Financial information for organisation and group requested in (Q3.6)

•

Previous experience of similar services (Q3.9.5)

The information contained in this questionnaire will be used for the purpose of determining an applicant’s suitability for meeting the Agency’s general requirements for the provision of the Services. Further assessment and selection may be required before any indication can be given as to the success of an application for inclusion on the Agency’s tender list.