Pre-Qualification Questionnaire - NHS National Services Scotland

RFx Creation Date:19 March 2010 13:05:31 WET 

RFx Document :NP505/09 AHP & Other Clinical Professions Pre 

Qualification Questionnaire 13.07.09_II. 

Table of Contents 

1. INTRODUCTION 2 

2. ORGANISATION OF THIS DOCUMENT 2 

3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 2 

4. GUIDANCE NOTES FOR COMPLETION OF THE PQQ 4 

5. SELECTION APPROACH 9 

6. PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE 11 

6.1. PART A - GENERAL 11 

6.1.1. Name of Contractor 11 

6.1.2. Current Trading Name and Previous Trading Names 11 

6.1.3. Registered Office 11 

6.1.4. Business Address 11 

6.1.5. Contact Name 11 

6.1.6. Position 11 

6.1.7. Telephone Number 11 

6.1.8. Fax Number 11 

6.1.9. E-mail Address 11 

6.1.10. Legal Status of Contractor (e.g. PLC, Partnership, Limited Liability 11 

Company etc). 

6.1.11. Directors or Partners 11 

6.1.12. Length of time Contractor has been operating 12 

6.1.13. Parent Company 12 

6.1.14. Company Registration Number 12 

6.1.15. VAT Registration Number 12 

6.1.16. Consortium, Joint Venture or Other Arrangement 12 

6.1.17. Corporate Changes 12 

6.1.18. Corporate Structure 12 

6.1.19. Health & Safety 12 

6.1.20. Discrimination 12 

6.1.21. Convictions 23(1) 13 

6.1.22. Convictions 23(4) 13 

6.1.23. Compliance To Sex Discrimination Act 13 

6.1.24. Compliance To Equal Pay Act 1970 13 

6.1.25. Compliance To Disability Discrimination Act 1995 14 

6.1.26. Compliance To Race Relations Act 14 

6.1.27. Discrimination 14 

6.1.28. Discrimination (Racial) 15 

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6.2. PART B - ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY 15 

6.2.1. Accounts Information 15 

6.2.2. Contractual Liability and Loss 15 

6.2.3. Date of Company Formation 15 

6.2.4. Outstanding Claims 15 

6.2.5. Insurance 16 

6.3. PART C - TECHNICAL CAPACITY 16 

6.3.1. Ethical Employment 16 

6.3.2. Quality Control 16 

6.3.3. Working Time Directive 17 

6.3.4. References & Experience 17 

6.3.5. BASIS OF EVALUATION 17 

7. MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION 19 

8. DECLARATION 19 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as National Services Scotland) (“the 

Authority”) acting through its division National Procurement Division requires the information 

sought in this questionnaire from Contractors who wish to respond to the relevant OJEU 

contract notice ("Contract Notice"). 

Responses to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (“PQQ”) will be used as the first step of 

selecting Contractors to be invited to tender for the provision of Temporary Agency Medical 

Locum Doctors. 

This procurement is being carried out under the restricted procedure in terms of the Public 

Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (“Regulations”). 

2. ORGANISATION OF THIS DOCUMENT 

This document contains six sections: 

Background Information 

Guidance notes for completion 

Selection approach 

The PQQ 

Memorandum of Information 

Declaration 

3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

PQQ Purpose 

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The purpose of this PQQ is to identify a number of suitably qualified and experienced 

economic operators ("Contractors") who will be invited to submit a tender to supply Services 

as identified in the Contract Notice. An outline of the requirement is set out in the 

Memorandum of Information annexed. The Memorandum will form the basis of the detailed 

requirements to be issued with the invitation to tender. The Authority will use the information 

that contractors provide in response to this PQQ to determine which Contractors are most 

suited, in the opinion of the Authority, in terms of technical knowledge and experience, 

organisational and financial standing to submit a tender for this requirement. 

This PQQ (and, in particular, the Memorandum of Information) does not purport to be 

all-inclusive or to contain all of the information that a Contractor, any of its Sub-Contractors 

or any consortium member, may require. Any person considering making a decision to enter 

into a contractual relationship with the Authority following receipt of this PQQ should make 

their own investigations and their own independent assessment of the Authority and its 

requirements in relation to the Services and should seek its own financial and legal advice. 

No Representation or Warranty 

The Authority, its advisers, officers, members, employees, other staff and agents: 

a) Make no representation or warranty (express or implied) as to the accuracy, 

reasonableness or completeness of the Memorandum of Information contained in this PQQ 

b) Accept no responsibility for the information contained in the Memorandum of Information 

of this PQQ or for its fairness, accuracy or completeness 

c) Shall not be liable for any loss or damage (other than in respect of fraudulent 

misrepresentation) as a result of reliance on the Memorandum of Information contained in 

this PQQ or any subsequent communication 

Framework Agreement 

The scope of the Services required is outlined in the Memorandum of Information section of 

this PQQ. 

Framework Agreement Duration - Framework Agreement is expected to commence on 21st 

December 2009 and terminate on 20th December 2011 (with the option for the Authority (at 

its sole discretion) to extend the duration of the Framework Agreement by two twelve 

calendar month periods). 

Following evaluation of completed PQQs, the Authority will invite selected Contractors to 

submit a tender for the provision of the Services. 

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4. GUIDANCE NOTES FOR COMPLETION OF THE PQQ 

4.1 Questionnaire Layout 

The PQQ is split into 3 distinct parts; 

Part A seeks details of the Contractor’s organisation; 

Part B requests details concerning economic and financial standing; and 

Part C relates to technical or professional ability. 

Parts A, B and C must be completed by the Contractor and in the case of a consortium by 

each member of the consortium; 

Parts A and B should be completed in respect of the parent company, if any, which may be 

guaranteeing a contracting subsidiary’s obligations and liabilities; 

Parts A and C should be completed in respect of each (if any) proposed sub-contractor. 

All information requested should be provided in the order and format of the specified Parts. 

4.2 Freedom of Information 

Nothing shall preclude the Authority from making public, under the Freedom of Information 

(Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 

(“FOISA”) or otherwise, details of all matters relating to this PQQ and responses unless a 

Contractor has advised the Authority in writing that disclosure of specified information would 

or would be likely to substantially prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including 

but not limited to the Contractor or the Authority) or such details fall within such other 

exemption under FOISA as may be applicable at the discretion of the Authority and the 

Authority has agreed that such exemption shall apply. 

Contractors should also note that the receipt of any material or document marked 

‘confidential’ or equivalent by the Authority and/or any of the NHSScotland entities on whose 

behalf the Authority is acting in connection with this procurement should not be taken to 

mean that the Authority and/or any such entities accepts any duty of confidence by virtue of 

that marking. 

4.3 Questionnaire Response 

General 

Responses to the questionnaire must be clearly marked NHS National Services Scotland – 

National Procurement Division. – NP505/09 Provision of Temporary Agency Allied Health 

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Professionals and other clinical professions 

Completed questionnaires should be submitted via the Verticalnet system by no later than 

19th August 2009 

Only information provided as a direct response to the PQQ will be evaluated, and 

Contractors are advised that they should not provide additional information to that 

specifically requested in this PQQ. Information and detail, which forms part of general 

company literature or promotional brochures etc will not be reviewed and as such will not 

form part of the evaluation process. 

All questions must be answered as accurately and concisely as possible. If the question is 

not relevant, the words ‘not applicable’ must be inserted with an explanation detailing why it 

is not relevant. All information supplied in response to this PQQ should indicate the question 

to which it relates. 

Questions should be answered in English. 

Please note that the Authority may require clarification of the answers provided or ask for 

additional information. 

Where the Contractor is a consortium: 

(i) list all member organisations, identifying the role of each member, including the element 

of the Services to be delivered by that member and indicating the organisation’s ultimate 

parent where applicable; 

(ii) provide details of the proposed structure of the consortium and a corporate structure 

chart; 

(iii) Advise whether the consortium has been established specifically for this project. If the 

members of the consortium have experience working together on other projects, please 

provide a brief summary to include the value of the contract, date, location; 

Please note that responses will be evaluated on the basis of the details supplied and, if 

shortlisted, an Invitation to tender will be issued to the nominated lead organisation only. Any 

contract will be entered into with the nominated lead organisation. 

Where the Contractor proposes using sub-contractors, list the roles to be sub-contracted 

indicating the name of the sub-contractor together with its registered or principal office and, 

where applicable, the sub-contractor’s ultimate parent company. Please provide details of 

the proportion of any contract awarded that the Contractor proposes to sub-contract. 

NOTE: In respect of an expression of interest which includes consortia or sub-contractors, it 

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is the lead organisation that completes the response to the entire PQQ and, in addition, 

Parts A, B and C should be completed as detailed above. 

A representative of the Contractor who has authority to answer on behalf of the Contractor 

should submit the response to this PQQ. 

4.4 Right to Reject and/or Disqualify 

The Authority reserves the right to reject or disqualify a Contractor where: 

The PQQ response is submitted late, is completed incorrectly, is incomplete or fails to meet 

the Authority's submission requirements which have been notified to Contractors; 

The Contractor or any of its sub-contractors or consortium members is/are guilty of serious 

misrepresentation in relation to its application and/or the process. 

4.5 Right to cancel, clarify or vary the process 

The Authority reserves the right to: 

cancel the selection and evaluation process at any stage; 

require a contractor and/or any sub-contractor or consortium member to clarify its/their 

submission in writing and/or provide additional information. Failure to respond adequately 

may result in a Contractor not qualifying; 

amend the terms and conditions of the tender process. 

4.6 Equality in the Workplace 

The Authority as a Scottish public authority operating as part of the National Health Service 

in Scotland is not only committed to discharging its functions in a manner that demonstrates 

value for money but to the principle that all goods and services are procured fairly and 

ethically taking full account of the human rights and equalities duties encompassed in the 

relevant legislation (equalities legislation). As a significant procurer of goods and services 

the Authority seeks to ensure that contractors with which it contracts do not compromise the 

Authority's commitment to human rights and equalities with particular reference to 

prohibitions on discrimination on the basis of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, 

sex or sexual orientation, religion or belief, or age, and the positive duty to promote equal 

treatment and eradicate discrimination. 

Accordingly, failure to demonstrate an ability to comply with equalities legislation may render 

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a contractor ineligible to be invited to tender for the supply of goods or provision of services. 

Furthermore, the Authority requires that contractors will not discriminate within the meaning 

of equalities legislation and that they take all steps to ensure that staff or sub-contractors 

working on the contract comply appropriately. Any contract issued further to this 

procurement shall fully reflect this requirement, and the successful Contractor’s performance 

and compliance with relevant contractual provisions will be monitored as required by the 

Authority. 

Contractors are directed to guidance issued by the Commission for Racial Equality entitled 

Race Equality and Public Procurement: A Guide for Public Authorities and Contractors which 

is available on the web-site of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland, the 

Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations 

(Amendment) Act 2000, the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the 

Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality 

(Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, the 

Equality Act 2006, the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, the Human 

Rights Act 1998 or other relevant or equivalent legislation, or any statutory modification or 

re-enactment thereof. 

4.7 Ethical Sourcing Policies 

The Authority appreciates that contractors operate in a global environment where separate 

elements of the overall supply may be manufactured in countries with very different 

legislative frameworks from the United Kingdom. Notwithstanding this the Authority is 

committed to contract with organisations which take positive steps to operate ethically and 

which respect diversity in all of the communities in which they operate. 

4.8 Queries about the Procurement 

The Authority will not enter into detailed discussion of its requirements at this stage. Any 

questions about the procurement should be submitted by email, letter or fax to the contact 

stated below. 

If the Authority considers any questions or request for clarification to be of material 

significance, both the query and the response will be communicated, in a suitably 

anonymous form, to all Contractors who have responded. 

4.9 Contractor Contact Point 

Contractors have been asked to include a single point of contact in their organisation for 

their response to the PQQ. The Authority shall not be responsible for contacting the 

Contractors through any route other than the nominated contact. The Contractors must 

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therefore undertake to notify any changes to the contact promptly. 

4.10 Application To Be Included On The Tender List 

The final date for the return of the completed response to the PQQ is 19th August 2009 

4.11 Questions relating to the completion of the PQQ should be directed to: 

Andrew Sokell 

01698 794 538 

andrew.sokell@nhs.net 

Completed PQQs should only be returned via Verticalnet. 

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5. SELECTION APPROACH 

5.1 Contractor Selection 

The objective of the selection process is to assess the responses to the PQQ and select 

potential Contractors to proceed to the next stage of the procurement. Selection criteria are 

as follows: 

(a) General; 

(b) Economic and Financial Standing (including but not limited to whether the 

Contractor has the appropriate resources to perform the contract); 

(c) Technical or Professional ability by reference to the Contractor’s skill, efficiency, 

qualifications, experience and reliability, technical facilities and services available (including 

but not limited to facilities, plant, equipment, vehicles and staff), quality, compliance and 

quality assurance and control measures, and proposed sub-contracting arrangements. 

Following evaluation of the responses to this PQQ, the Authority shall select those 

Contractors who are to be invited to respond to an invitation to tender. It will do so in 

accordance with the selection and scoring methodology detailed herein. 

Minimum Capacity Criteria 

Contractors who achieve a score equal to or higher than a minimum score of 64 will be 

ranked in order of their score and up to the maximum of 20 Contractors will be invited to 

tender subject to them having achieved or exceeded the minimum score. 

Thereafter the Authority may award the contract based on the most economically 

advantageous tenders in accordance with the award criteria to be specified in the Invitation 

to Tender. 

5.2 Key Dates in the Procurement timetable 

Key dates from the timetable are shown in the table below. It is open to the Authority to 

amend these dates at its discretion. 

Stage 

- OJEU Contract Notice published 10th July 2009 

- Return Pre-Qualification Questionnaire 19th August 2009 

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- Issue Invitation to Tender 23rd September 2009 

- Closing date for submission of tenders 2nd November 2009 

and 10 day standstill period commences 7th December 2009 

- Contract start 21st December 2009 

SELECTION APPROACH 

Criteria 

Part A – General questions 6.1.1 to 6.1.28 

Completion of Part A (questions 6.1.1 to 6.1.28 ) of the PQQ is mandatory and failure to 

complete the same shall result in the remainder of the PQQ response not being evaluated. 

If a Contractor discloses any convictions in response to Question 6.1.21 the Authority shall 

treat such Contractor as ineligible and shall not evaluate its PQQ response. 

If a contractor provides information confirming any matters detailed in Question 6.1.22 

applies the Authority may de-select such Contractor. 

If a Contractor responds in the negative to question 6.1.23-6.1.26 the Authority may deselect 

that Contractor. 

Part A – General questions 6.1.1 to 6.1.28 -Total Score Available = 10 

Part B -Economic and Financial Capacity 6.2.1 to 6.2.6 -Total Score Available = 30 

Part C – Technical Capacity 6.3.1 to 6.3.4 -Total Score Available = 60 

See attachment for details of all questions and scoring 

Overall Total Score Available for All Sections: 100 

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6. PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE Weight (50%) 

6.1. PART A - GENERAL Weight (20%) 

6.1.1. Name of Contractor Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide full registered name of contractor. 

Response Type: Free Text 

6.1.2. Current Trading Name and Previous Trading Names Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide details of Current Trading Name and Previous Trading Names (if any) 


6.1.3. Registered Office Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide if applicable the address of the registered office 


6.1.4. Business Address Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide your main business address and if different, address for all 

correspondence 


6.1.5. Contact Name Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide Contact Name for the prime contractor only 


6.1.6. Position Weight (3.6%) 


6.1.7. Telephone Number Weight (3.6%) 


6.1.8. Fax Number Weight (3.6%) 


6.1.9. E-mail Address Weight (3.6%) 


6.1.10. Legal Status of Contractor (e.g. PLC, Partnership, 

Limited Liability Company etc). 


Weight (3.6%) 

6.1.11. Directors or Partners Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide full names of all directors or partners 

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6.1.12. Length of time Contractor has been operating Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide details on the length of time the organisation has been operating 


6.1.13. Parent Company Weight (3.6%) 

If the Contractor is a member of a group of companies, please give the name and 

address of the ultimate parent company and confirm that, if required by the Authority, 

a parent company guarantee in a form prescribed by the Authority will be provided on 

request. 


6.1.14. Company Registration Number Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide details of Company Registration Number (or alternative EU registration 

number), date and country/state of incorporation and registered office (if different from 

above) or equivalent information where appropriate 


6.1.15. VAT Registration Number Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide your VAT Registration Number (or alternative EU registration number). 


6.1.16. Consortium, Joint Venture or Other Arrangement Weight (3.6%) 

Is the Contractor a consortium, joint venture or other arrangement? If yes, please 

provide details of the constitution and percentage shareholding in the comments box. 


6.1.17. Corporate Changes Weight (3.6%) 

Have there been any significant corporate changes (e.g. changes in ownership, etc) 

made to the Contractor since the last financial year. If yes, please provide details in 

the comments box. 


6.1.18. Corporate Structure Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide a detailed description (including diagrams where appropriate) of the 

corporate structure of the organisation highlighting, in particular, the operational base 

and organisational set up of any relevant business divisions and their relative 

importance to the organisation. 


6.1.19. Health & Safety Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide details of how the Contractor ensures that it meets all applicable 

Health and Safety Standards - UK and/or relevant national standards. 


6.1.20. Discrimination Weight (3.6%) 

If the Contractor is not subject to UK legislation, please supply details of the 

Contractor's experience in complying with equivalent legislation which in the relevant 

country is designed to eliminate discrimination (including but not limited to racial, 

sexual and disability discrimination) and to promote equality of opportunity. 

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6.1.21. Convictions 23(1) Weight (3.6%) 

Have there been any convictions for any criminal offences affecting the Contractor, its 

parent company, proposed sub-contractor a director or partner or other person with 

the power of representation, decision or control of the Contractor, parent company or 

proposed sub-contractor in respect of any offence detailed in Regulation 23(1) of the 

Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 


6.1.22. Convictions 23(4) Weight (3.6%) 

Do any of the grounds detailed in Regulation 23(4) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) 

Regulation 2006 apply to the Contractor, its parent company or proposed 

sub-contractor, 


6.1.23. Compliance To Sex Discrimination Act Weight (3.6%) 

Is the policy of the Contractor itself to comply and to require its proposed 

sub-contractors to comply with the following legislation that applies in the United 

Kingdom (or equivalent legislation in the countries in which staff are employed, 

whichever is applicable); 

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975, as amended? 

If the Contractor is unable to answer this question in the affirmative in respect of itself 

and/or any proposed sub-contractors, it may provide supplemental information to be 

considered by the Authority. 

Response Type: Yes/No 

Answer Choices: 

Yes (100%) 

No (0%) 

6.1.24. Compliance To Equal Pay Act 1970 Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide confirmation that it is the policy of the Contractor itself to comply and to 

require its proposed sub-contractors to comply with the following legislation that 

applies in the United Kingdom (or equivalent legislation in the countries in which staff 

are employed, whichever is applicable); 

The Equal Pay Act 1970? 






Yes (100%) 

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No (0%) 

6.1.25. Compliance To Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide confirmation that it is the policy of the Contractor and all proposed 

sub-contractors and/or consortium members to comply with the following legislation 

that applies in the United Kingdom (or equivalent legislation in the countries in which 

staff are employed, whichever is applicable); 

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995? 

If the Contractor is unable to answer this question in the affirmative in respect of itself, 

any proposed sub-contractors and/or consortium members, it may provide 

supplemental information to be considered by the Authority. 



Yes (100%) 

No (0%) 

6.1.26. Compliance To Race Relations Act Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide confirmation that it is the policy of the Contractor itself to comply and to 

require its proposed sub-contractors to comply with the following legislation that 

applies in the United Kingdom (or equivalent legislation in the countries in which staff 

are employed, whichever is applicable); 

The Race Relations Act 1976 and The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 






Yes (100%) 

No (0%) 

6.1.27. Discrimination Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide confirmation that in the last three years, there have been no findings of 

unlawful sex or disability discrimination in the employment field made against the 

Contractor and/or all proposed sub-contractors by the employment tribunal, or any 

court, or in comparable proceedings in any other jurisdiction. 

If there have been findings please provide details of the same and confirm what 

proportion of the overall workforce (expressed as a percentage) this represents in the 

year in which the finding was made. 


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6.1.28. Discrimination (Racial) Weight (3.6%) 

Please provide confirmation that in the last three years:- 

There have been no findings of unlawful racial discrimination in the employment field 

in respect of the Contractor and/or all proposed sub-contractors by the employment 

tribunal, the employment appeal tribunal, or any court, or in comparable proceedings 

in any other jurisdiction. 

If there have been any findings please provide details of the same and confirm what 

proportion of the overall workforce (expressed as a percentage) this represents in the 

year in which the finding was made. 


6.2. PART B - ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY Weight (20%) 

In respect of (i) Contractors seeking to be invited to tender, (ii) the parent company of any 

Contractor, and (iii) group members in the case of a consortium the following information 

is required: 

6.2.1. Accounts Information Weight (20%) 

Provide a statement from the Contractor’s bankers or external auditors confirming the 

overall turnover of the business and, where appropriate, the turnover in respect of 

services similar to nature to those to be supplied pursuant to the Framework 

Agreement, cash flow position and forecast, and profit and loss for the three previous 

years, together with appropriate banker’s statement outlining the current cash and 

credit facility position of the organisation confirming the Contractor’s economic and 

financial standing. 


6.2.2. Contractual Liability and Loss Weight (20%) 

Provide a statement from the contractors bankers or external auditors as at the last 

reporting date of any contractual liability and loss (where not otherwise reported) that 

would require disclosure in accordance with international Accounting Standard No. 10. 


6.2.3. Date of Company Formation Weight (20%) 

Confirm date of creation of the Contractor and the parent company 


6.2.4. Outstanding Claims Weight (20%) 

Please provide details of outstanding claims (whether litigation, judgement or other 

court orders) affecting the Contractor and the parent company which could affect its 

financial stability or continued existence. 

Provide such details where the claim: 

Exceeds £500,000 and/or 

Is greater than 10% of the whole life value of the contract to which the claim applies 

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6.2.5. Insurance Weight (20%) 

Provide evidence of insurance (including employer's liability, public liability, 

professional liability/indemnity and any other relevant insurances). The evidence 

should include the name of the insurer, policy numbers, expiry date, limits of indemnity 

(per occurrence and any aggregate) cap and policy excesses. 

Information required: 

Name of Insurer 

Policy Numbers 

Expiry Date 

Limits of indemnity (per occurrence and aggregate) 

Excess (if any) 


6.3. PART C - TECHNICAL CAPACITY Weight (60%) 

In respect of (i) Contractors seeking to be invited to tender, (ii) all proposed 

sub-contractors and (iii) group members in the case of a consortium the following 

information is required: 

6.3.1. Ethical Employment Weight (25%) 

Please describe the ethical employment standards policy of the Contractor and any 

sub-contractor (whether or not operating in the United Kingdom) and in particular: 

what steps the Contractor takes or requires or would require sub-contractors to take to 

operate as an ethical company which respects diversity in the communities in which 

they operate; 

operated by the Contractor with regard to promotion of corporate social responsibility 

and those which the Contractor requires or would require to be operated by 

sub-contractors; 

what conditions of employment are applied by the Contractor and what conditions of 

employment the Contractor requires or would require to be operated by 

sub-contractors. 


6.3.2. Quality Control Weight (25%) 

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Provide details of Contractor's quality control and assurance measures including 

standard procedures for monitoring, maintaining and evaluating quality, and for 

ensuring timely and accurate delivery of contracts, together with details of quality 

control certificates or good practice standards applied. 

Please provide a copy of your most recent audit report 


6.3.3. Working Time Directive Weight (25%) 

Please describe the process you have in place for recording and tracking the working 

hours of locum doctors 


6.3.4. References & Experience Weight (25%) 

Please provide a statement of the principle services provided in the past 3 years and 

the value of the consideration received, the identity of the person to whom the service 

was provided and confirmation from that person confirming details of satisfactory 

performance of said services. 


6.3.5. BASIS OF EVALUATION 

Each PQQ response will be checked to ensure that all questions 6.1.1-6.1.28 have 

been completed and that all Yes/No questions have been addressed and that all 

documents requested have been attached. In the event that a Contractor is unable to 

provide a positive response to any of the questions, or a detailed reason as to why a 

positive response cannot be given, the Authority may either exclude the Contractor 

from further participation in the selection process or, at its discretion, may seek 

clarification. In the case of the latter, a failure by the Contractor to provide a 

satisfactory response within the deadline specified in the request for clarification may 

result in its disqualification from the selection process. . 

Response to each question 6.1.27 and 6.1.28 will be scored on the basis of the 

calculation of any findings disclosed in response to each of these questions as a 

percentage of the average annual number of employees in the particular financial 

year. This will be scored as follows: 

Number of Findings in the Financial Year 

0 Findings = Score 5 

Average number of findings exceeds 0, but does not exceed 2% of relevant 

contractor's employees = Score 3 

Average number of findings exceeds 2%, but does not exceed 4% of relevant 

contractor's employees = Score 1 

Anything over 4% findings of relevant contractor's employees = Score 0 

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Question 6.2.1 will be scored by the Authority out of 5 by allocation of a score between 

0 and 5 based on an analysis of the information provided in relation to economic and 

financial standing of the Contractor. 

Responses to Questions 6.2.2-6.2.6, will be scored using the following marking 

scheme. 

Score 

Description 

0 Contractor totally misunderstands Question/requirement 

Does not meet PQQ requirement 

Not Answered 

Very high risk 

1 Contractor shows some understanding 

Only Partially meets PQQ requirement 

High risk 

3 Contractor shows no misunderstanding and response is in line with minimum 

PQQ requirement 

Some detail given in response to request for information 

Medium risk 

5 Contractor demonstrates complete understanding and response goes beyond 

the minimum PQQ requirement 

Low risk 

Question 6.3.1 will be scored by the Authority out of 15 by allocation of a score 

between 0 and 15 dependent upon the quality of the responses, policies detailed and 

evidence provided of implementation of such policies. 







Responses to Question 6.3.4 will be scored by the Authority out of 15 by allocation of 

a score between 0 and 15 which is commensurate with the level of relevant 

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experience disclosed by Contractors in response to this question. 

Having taken account of all of the above, the Authority shall produce a list of 

Contractors who will be invited to tender. Where the Authority considers that a parent 

company guarantee is required (following evaluation of any Contractor’s financial and 

economic capacity) the Authority will advise such Contractor accordingly and provide a 

copy of the form of parent company guarantee required. Selection of such 

Contractors to be invited to tender will be conditional upon confirmation being provided 

that a parent company guarantee in the form provided at that stage by the Authority 

will be signed by the Contractor’s parent company. 

7. MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION 

The Authority wishes to procure the provision of temporary agency Allied Health 

Professionals & other Clinical Professions (including Pharmacy and healthcare sciences to 

all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. 

Contractors will require to evidence that temporary agency Allied Health Professionals & 

other Clinical Professions supplied have undergone pre-employment checks under taken by 

the Contractors to meet the standards required by NHS Scotland entities, further details of 

which will be provided within the Invitation to Tender. 

During the last financial year, the annual spend by NHS Scotland entities in relation to 

temporary agency Allied Health Professionals & other Clinical Professions was in the region 

of £4 million. No warranty of undertaking is given by the Authority as to the level of spend 

which will be committed by NHS Scotland entities under this Framework Agreement. 

8. DECLARATION Weight (50%) 

By submission of response to this PQQ the contractor confirms that the answers given in 

response to this PQQ are true, complete, accurate, and not misleading. 

Please provide the following details in the box below: 

Name 

Date 

Status 

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Pre-Qualification Questionnaire - NHS National Services Scotland

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