7.1 FAQs

7.1 FAQs:

QUESTION	ITEM
1	Is our data shared with 3rd parties who may then inundate us with unsolicited marketing materials and unwanted calls?
	No. It is shared with no 3rd party whatsoever.
2	If any bid fails are we automatically penalised in respect of future tenders?
	No. You get a clean sheet.
3	If we win a bid are we then bound to deliver the product at the price we have bid and before a deadline?
	Once you are contracted to do this, yes.
4	If one of our team is related to Home Office staff are we barred from bidding?
	No. But mention should be made in writing of any relationship.
5	If a business underperforms in respect of the contract what happens?
	Part of the payment will be withheld until the contractor remedies the problem – or to pay a 3rd party to do so.
6	If we fail to win a bid does that exclude us from any involvement?
	On occasion the winner of a bid will subcontract part of the work to a 3rd party, a 2nd tier provider, so you may be offered that option.
7	What happens to the intellectual property rights in respect of solutions which we might provide for governmental use?
	This would have to be discussed, but in general terms those rights will be protected from 3rd party piracy.
8	We have the technical ability to deliver the product required, but we lack adequate credit facilities. Can you help?
	The Home Office can organise staged payments which would keep pace with production and ease cash-flow.
9	Does success in respect of a single bid entitle us to be placed on a preferred supplier list?
	Success in delivery may ultimately be helpful, but through HOBO each tender remains open for all bidders without favouritism.
10	If we won the bid and then faced a crisis of some sort that could affect performance of the contract what do we do?
	Notify us immediately in order that we can advise and possibly help. Obviously we’d need to adopt a contingency plan in those circumstances.
11	Are references necessary?
	Later they will be – possibly at the short-listing stage but certainly before a contract is awarded. Ordinarily this is not necessary at this stage.
12	Are there security issues we’d need to know about?
	Some projects might be confidential and sensitive enough to require contractors to sign the Official Secrets Act.