Frequently asked questions

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Frequently asked questions

As of 26th July 2018 the Scheme is closed to new applications. The budget is now fully committed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scheme

Do suppliers have to be from within the Sheffield City Region?

No, they can be from anywhere where the currency is in pound sterling.

Do vouchers expire once issued?

Yes, 28 days from date of offer, orders therefore have to be placed with the preferred supplier during this 28 day period.

How long do Suppliers have to install the connection or innovation?

Three months from the date of the business order places their order.

Can each quotation be a combination of smaller quotes, for example if one supplier doesn’t supply all the elements we need?

No, each quote must be from one supplier only. Suppliers can make their own arrangements to ‘buy-in’ services from other suppliers, and include those costs on their quote.

Can an eligible business receive a Connection voucher and an Innovation voucher?

Yes, but these must be separate applications. Businesses cannot apply for more than one voucher of the same type.

What is the ‘Procurement Law ESIF Compliance Guidance Note (ESIF-GN-1-001)’ for?

The scheme is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. Part of the funding requirement is that Small and Medium Enterprises must follow the ‘Procurement Law ESIF Compliance Guidance Note (ESIF-GN-1-001)’ when procuring their suppliers.

What does ‘De Minimis’ mean?

This is the financial limit of state aid that an organisation can receive over a rolling 3 year period. Under EC regulation No 1407/2013, OJ L352/1 (“De Minimis” aid regulation) there is a ceiling of €200,000 for all De Minimis aid provided to any one over a rolling three year period. Any De Minimis aid awarded to you will be relevant if you wish to apply or have applied for any other De Minimis aid.

Failure to adhere to the guidance may result in a voucher application not being successful and in the worst case grant funding being withdrawn or clawed back.

Why do I have to provide 3 firm and original fully itemised quotes for connections and innovations over £24,999?

The quotes need to be fully itemised to ensure that all expenditure claimed for is eligible under the SFSY Voucher Scheme. Three firm and original quotes are required to satisfy the procurement requirements which are part of the funding requirements. Small and Medium Enterprises must follow the ‘Procurement Law ESIF Compliance Guidance Note (ESIF-GN-1-001)’ when procuring their suppliers.

Can vouchers be used to fund revenue charges?

No.

Can the voucher be used to pay VAT?

No, the applicant is responsible for all VAT, and costs over the voucher value.

Can I make a retrospective claim for a voucher?

No, any costs incurred prior to the issuing of a voucher are not eligible expenditure.

I have Business Rates arrears, can I still apply?

You can apply, but your application will not be processed until notification is received from your local authority that the arrears have been cleared in full.

What happens if my quote is greater than the maximum allowed by the scheme?

The business will be responsible for paying any costs that exceed the maximum allowed by the scheme.

How long will it take for the application to be approved?

Ten working days from receipt of application and all supporting documentation.

How will the voucher be paid?

Your voucher redemption payment will be paid into your nominated business bank account. Payments cannot be made into personal bank accounts.

What happens if a problem arises during the process / installation?

You must report this to the SFSY Connection and Innovation Voucher Scheme as soon as possible.

Can changes to the connection or innovation be made after the application has been approved?

No changes can be made once approved. If the changes are essential then a full new application will be required.

What happens after the connection or innovation is complete?

The terms and conditions of the scheme state that we may contact you to:

Visit your premises to inspect the connection/innovation
Ask you to become a ‘case study’ to show the benefits of your new connection/innovation, and use this in our promotion of the scheme
Visit your premises to carry out an audit of your application

We may also contact your supplier for further information

Connection Vouchers

Can the quotes for connection vouchers be for different types of solutions?

Yes, however the quotes need to be comparable in terms of service level and speeds.

Can ongoing monthly costs be included in the connection voucher?

No, the only eligible costs are to do with the physical installation of the connection.

Can monthly costs be paid for in a lump sum by the connection voucher?

No, the only eligible costs are to do with the physical installation of the connection

Can unexpected excess construction charges be paid for by the connection voucher?

No, this is because the applicant needs to provide 3 quotes with their application, vouchers can only be issued for the winning quotation at that point in time. We cannot issue additional funding as this would make the original procurement process non-compliant with E U Procurement Rules, and would be subject to claw-back. Any charges occurring above the voucher value will be the responsibility of the applicant to pay in full.

Does the scheme support Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) technology?

The scheme is technology agnostic and supports a range of qualifying technologies. Any technology has to meet the step change rule.

Innovation Vouchers

What can I use the innovation voucher for?

Our question to you would be, what business problem / issues do you face that could be improved through access to an innovation voucher? We have funded a variety of superior ICT business solutions where there is a genuine business need.

What can’t I use the innovation voucher for?

Hardware and upgrades to existing systems are ineligible under this scheme. Hardware may be eligible if it is integral to the innovation being introduced and has no use outside of it.

I have an idea for an innovation idea, but I’m not sure if it would be eligible. How can I find out?

Please refer to the ‘Innovation Voucher Application – Information Needed to Apply’ document on our webpage: Innovation Application Information Needed to Apply

Send your responses to the questions on Section 2 of the document to us by email to: vouchers@superfastsouthyorkshire.co.uk with a contact telephone number. We can then provide you with feedback on your ideas, prior to you submitting an application.

I want an innovation voucher so that my company can have a new CRM system. Can subscriptions and licences be paid for by the innovation voucher?

Yes, providing these costs are essential to be able to access/ operate the new system. However, the invoice needs to be for the total cost over the minimum contract term.

I want to upgrade my website, can I apply for an innovation voucher?

The innovation voucher must be used to introduce digital innovations that are ‘new to the business’, not for upgrades that would happen anyway, or would be considered as ‘business as usual’. A new website must have additional functionality that they SME needs and currently doesn’t have, in order to be eligible.

Can the innovation voucher be used to replace existing hardware?

No, replacement of hardware is not eligible. The innovation voucher must be used to fund digital innovations that are new to the SME.

My broadband speed is below 30Mbps. Can I still apply for an innovation voucher?

Yes, you can still apply. However, we would advise that you apply for a connection voucher also. This is to make sure that the innovation you wish to introduce is not hindered by a low broadband speed.

I have already entered into a contact with a supplier to provide a digital innovation, can I apply for an innovation voucher?

No, the innovation voucher cannot be used for any pre-existing contracts. This is because the E U procurement rules must be adhered to.

I want to develop some new software myself and then sell this on. Can I apply for an innovation voucher?

No, you cannot be the applicant and the supplier. Innovation vouchers can only be issued where the applicant has provided quotations from external suppliers, you cannot provide a quotation from your own business or linked enterprise.

Is my SME eligible?

Existing Applicants

Ready to claim a voucher?

Contact us

Terms and conditions

The SFSY Connection and Innovation Voucher Scheme is supported by the Sheffield City Region European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) portfolio 2015 to 2020.