# Annual Review Process
As described in the [Appointment Structure](/pre-approval-guide/stage-4-approval.md) section, we will conduct an annual review on the SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor’s performance.
**Assessment Areas and Criteria for Annual Review**
**A. SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor maintains good track record with government agencies**
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor must have satisfactory track record with government agencies.
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor is not suspended from being considered for pre-approval due to breaches or non-compliance with any SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Terms and Conditions ("Terms and Conditions") and/or Code of Conduct.
**B. No unresolved customer complaints**
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor must not have any unresolved complaints from their customers.
**C. Industry relevance of solution**
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor's solution must meet all the relevant criteria in the latest solution category requirements.
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor must have successfully sold and implemented the pre-approved solution to a minimum of six (6) satisfied customers within each annual review period. The local customers may include non-Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) applicants.
**D. SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor is financially stable**
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor must have a positive net equity in the latest financial year.
* The current ratio derived from the latest financial year (current assets divided by current liabilities) must be greater than or equal to 1.
**E. Strong Cyber Security and Data Protection Foundation**
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor must have a valid Cyber Essential Mark ("CEM") Certification or a higher certification (Such as Cyber Trust Mark, ISO 270001 etc). The statement of scope of the certification must minimally include the "Classical Cybersecurity" scope.
* SMEs Go Digital Pre-Approval Vendor that is the Product Principal of the Pre-Approved Solution must have a valid "Cyber Essential Mark for ICT Vendor" Certification or a higher certification (Such as Cyber Trust Mark, ISO 27001 etc). The statement of scope of the certification must cover the relevant business processes, systems, and infrastructure that directly support the Pre-Approved Solution.
* Please refer to the [CSA Cyber Essential Mark Page](https://www.csa.gov.sg/our-programmes/support-for-enterprises/sg-cyber-safe-programme/cybersecurity-certification-for-organisations/cyber-essentials/certification-for-the-cyber-essentials-mark) for more information on how an organisation can obtain the certification.
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**Q: Will my contract be terminated or suspended during Annual Review?**
**A**: During the Annual Review evaluation period (not suspension):
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• Your appointment contract remains valid so long as the Annual Review submission reaches IMDA by the due date
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• Your solution will continue to be listed on BGP, GoBusiness, and SMEs Go Digital Platform
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• SMEs can continue to apply for grant support
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• Non-submissions by the due date will lead to termination and a one-year cooling period
Note: This is different from suspension, where solutions are delisted during the suspension period.
***
**Q: i am unable to fulfill one of the requirements of Annual rReview, can you recommend what i should do?**
**A**: We are unable to provide assistance, recommendations, or advice on how to fulfill the Annual Review criteria. It is the vendor's responsibility to ensure they meet all requirements independently
***
**Q: Can I seek an appeal to submit my annual review if I have missed the deadline?**
**A:** Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any appeals. Your solution status will be lapsed, and you will receive a letter of termination. You will then need to serve a 1-year cooling period before you are eligible to apply again.
***
**Q: Will all my solutions be terminated if I do not meet the annual review criteria(s)?**
**A:** It depends on which criteria is not met. If you do not meet the "Industry Relevance of Solution" criteria, only the specific solution under pre-approval will be lapsed, and you will be required to serve a 1-year cooling period before you can apply for that solution again. However, if any other criteria is not met, all your solution statuses will be lapsed, delisted from Government Portals and you will be required to serve a 1-year cooling period before you can apply again.
***
**Q: What if i have failed to submit the annual review on time**
**A:** Your solution status will become "Lapsed" and you will receive a Letter of Termination. Your solution status will be lapsed, delisted from Government Portals and you will be required to serve a 1-year cooling period before you can apply again.
***
**Q: If my customers have applied for a grant application in the Business Grants Portal (BGP) before my suspension or contract termination, will their grant application be affected?**
**A:** In most cases, existing grant applications submitted before your suspension or contract termination will not be affected. However, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In certain circumstances, such as if your contract was terminated due to a serious breach of terms and conditions or if your business has ceased operations, existing grant applications may not be honoured. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have concerns about specific cases.
***
**Q: I have only had four grant adoptions this year. Will I fail the Annual Review?**
**A:** The requirement is for six (6) satisfied customers within the review period, but these do not all have to be grant applicants. You can include non-grant local customers to make up the count. You will need to provide their information and sales invoices in the Vendor Management Portal (VMP) and ensure they complete the IMDA satisfaction survey.
***
**Q: I have a pending Change Request for a price update. Can I still submit my Annual Review?**
**A:** Yes, you may proceed to submit your Annual Review as these are two separate processes that are handled independently of each other.
***
**Q: How do non-PSG customers receive the satisfaction survey link?**
**A:** After entering the number of non-PSG customer field in the VMP during your Annual Review, you will see an unique satisfaction survey link generated to be manually shared with your customers directly. We encourage you to follow up with them to ensure they complete the survey in a timely manner, as your Annual Review submission cannot be finalised until the minimum number of satisfied customers has been verified.
***
**Q: Can you expedite my Annual Review, pre-approval application, company profile update, or Change Request?**
**A:** If you require an expedited review, please indicate your request and explain your situation in the [Comments and Clarifications](/pre-approval-guide/stage-3-evaluation/providing-clarifications-to-officer-in-charge.md) field of your submission. The officer-in-charge will review your request and respond accordingly.
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{% hint style="danger" %}
Q: What happens when my appointment is suspended or terminated?
\
A: When your appointment is suspended or terminated:
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• Your solution will be delisted from the Business Grant Portal (BGP), GoBusiness, and SMEs Go Digital Platform
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• SMEs cannot apply for grant support for your solution during the suspension period or when your contract lapses or terminates
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• You must still fulfil all obligations for approved grant applications and outstanding projects during suspension or termination
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• The suspension remains in effect until compliance issues are resolved or IMDA determines the outcome.
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