Budget/Finance

Q: Is it possible for a tenderer to request an amount less than the amount available?

A: Yes. You may bid for any amount up to the value of the Specification.

Q: Previously with ESF only a very small amount of capital was allowed. Is this still the case?

A: You may include costs for small items (up to £1,000), but these must be for internal management use or administration of the project, e.g. laptop.

Q: Are any capital items depreciated?

A: They should be entered as an expense to the project. The internal accounting treatment of such items is down to each individual bidder.

Q: Could you confirm whether those bidding for contracts under these specifications will require 3 years of accounts?

A: If the tendering organisation already has a contract with the LSC or has had a contract with the LSC in the last two years, accounts will not be necessary. Previous two years accounts are required (per the Tender proposal document) for any other bidder.

Q: Do the costings have to include any staff training costs?

A: If staff training is relevant, then yes, it should be included.

Q: What about transport costs?

A: These could be included in the costings if justified, but would not be expected to be excessive.

Q: Could you confirm whether a number of organisations (all with long trading histories) could form a new partnership/consortium (ie without 3 years of accounts)?

A: The LSC will only contract with one organisation for each contract. This would normally be the lead partner and must be a legally constituted body per the Tender Proposal document. The lead partner or consortium leader must provide accounts if not already contracting with the LSC (see above).