Spark DPS

Buy emerging technology products and services, including Internet of Things (IoT), AI and automation, simulated environments, wearables and new improvements in security.

Description

Spark: the Technology Innovation Marketplace can help government and public sector to access new and emerging technology products.

This Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) uses a filter system that helps customers find relevant suppliers.  The filter system includes defined technology areas, developed with customer input, and focuses on emerging technologies predicted to have the largest impact over the next 2 to 5 years.

There are 8 technology areas you can filter by:

  1. Internet of Things (IoT)
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation
  3. simulated and enhanced environments
  4. engineering/materials science
  5. data
  6. wearables
  7. transport
  8. security

Each of these areas contains between 3 and 17 sub-categories.

The DPS filters help customers to identify and shortlist suppliers. The two main filters are:

  • problem area
  • technology type

You can also filter by:

  • location
  • security classification

Suppliers can apply to join the marketplace at any time, and identify their areas of expertise as part of the application process.

Successful suppliers need to demonstrate their ability to offer suitably innovative products that meet either of the following 2 definitions:

  • a Radical Innovation offering a new product, service, process or strategy introduced into a market, designed to make a significant impact by completely replacing existing technologies and methods. For example, streaming services replacing video rental stores
  • a Disruptive Innovation that creates a new market and value network and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network, displacing established market-leading firms, products and alliances. For example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) replacing traditional light bulbs

As well as their ability to provide innovative products, the supplier’s contract example needs to explain the benefits for the end user and must be approved and confirmed by the customer.

Once an application is complete, it can take can take up to a maximum of 15 working days to assess and appoint a supplier to the marketplace.

A full copy of the bid pack is available on the Supplier Registration Service or you can download it.

Benefits

  • access to proven technology innovation to solve public sector problems
  • agility and flexibility to meet the public sector’s changing technology needs
  • this agreement has no lots, use the filter system to produce a list of potential suppliers based on your needs
  • quality and price assessment filtered to an individual customer’s requirements
  • an efficient tender process and approach to finding potential solutions, including the option of using a 2 stage competition process and supplier presentations
  • can be used for any size project, there is no minimum or maximum value

Products and suppliers

Please read the 'How to buy' tab below for detailed instructions on how to find out which suppliers are on this agreement.

Lot 1: Spark DPS

Expires:

How to buy

Make sure you have received the necessary budget approval before using this agreement.  Please also read RM6094-Spark-Customer-Guidance-v3.  The following instructions are for conducting a simple call for competition without use of PTME, Capability Assessment or Presentation, which are all possible under the Spark DPS.  These terms are explained in the guidance, and below.

  1. Register as a buyer on the Dynamic Purchasing System Marketplace.  Note: although pages are headed ‘Supplier registration’ this is also where you can register as a buyer.
  2. Navigate to the Spark DPS under Technology and choose the “Access as a buyer” option and confirm your acceptance of the customer access agreement.
  3. On your Manage your DPS Category Exports page you now have 2 options:
    1. View appointed suppliers.
    2. Click on the link to create a new category export. This is how you filter the suppliers that can meet your requirements.
  4. When creating a new category use the filtering tool (select all that apply) to specify your requirements and create your supplier shortlist.
  5. Save your filtered list of capable suppliers by clicking the Save Category option and give the shortlist a unique name specific to your competition. From your Manage your Category Exports page you can then export the list of suppliers and contact details (export is to an Excel spreadsheet).
  6. Quit the DPS.
  7. Use the list to run a Further Competition. Invite the suppliers identified by the DPS to bid against your detailed specification, evaluation criteria and contract format.
    1. The list is valid for only 2 working days, from the date of its creation, because new suppliers may apply to join at any point. If your Call for Competition excludes eligible suppliers it potentially breaches procurement regulations. You will need to get a fresh supplier list (steps 3.2 to 5) if you don’t use your list within 2 working days by clicking the Search Again option for your export.
    2. You can use CCS’s eSourcing tool to run a Call for Competition. The tool is free to use for public sector buyers, or you can use your organisation’s own procurement tool.
  8. Your tender process should be proportionate to the value and complexity of your requirement. Suppliers will need a reasonable period of time to review and prepare a response. This includes allowing sufficient time for suppliers to ask clarification questions and consider your answers before the deadline for written responses.
  9. Evaluate the responses.
  10. Request from winning supplier(s) any required evidence that they can meet your requirements. Set them a deadline for submitting evidence of 2 days.
  11. If you’re satisfied with the evidence, award the contract.
  12. Where appropriate, notify of the award on Contracts Finder.

Explanation of terms:

PTME – Pre Tender Market Engagement. This is optional but recommended and allows you to communicate with suppliers ahead of issuing your final specification to ensure that the market has a clear understanding of your requirements. It also allows you to shape your specification, gather ideas on new innovations and understand if there are any changes within the market that may influence your requirements. This exercise is not about refining your shortlist. You must provide an outline of your specification and you can ask suppliers specific questions regarding your requirements and specification and for feedback.

Capability Assessment – This is optional but recommended and helps you to identify which suppliers from your shortlist are going to be most suitable. It can be used to refine your shortlist or to assess if any suppliers are capable of meeting your requirement. You can use a series of yes and no questions that suppliers must pass to get to the written stage.

Face to face presentation – this is also optional. It is held after the evaluation of the written proposals and is an opportunity for face to face dialogue with the suppliers who were successful in reaching this stage. Suppliers can present more detailed proposals and answer any specific questions you may have regarding their written response.

Documents