Replacement policy note issued on use of pre-qualification questionnaires

The Crown Commercial Service has issued a replacement Procurement Policy Note on the use of pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ).

The update reflects policy changes, “for example in the areas of tax compliance and supplier past performance”, and replaces PPN 01/12 and its associated questionnaire.

The policy note applies to all central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies in goods and services procurements where a PQQ is deemed appropriate.

“Other contracting authorities (e.g. in local government and the wider public sector) are strongly recommended to apply the measures set out in this PPN,” the Crown Commercial Service said.

The note added that upon transposition of the new EU procurement directives, a new approach to asking questions relating to suppliers’ suitability was planned. “This is intended to implement Lord Young’s reforms to open up public sector procurement and remove barriers for SMEs.”

The Crown Commercial Service said the revised PQQ core questions should be adopted from the date of the PPN (3 July). It added that where a PQQ had already been issued before this date, there was no need to reissue it in the revised format.

The policy note stressed, however, that PAS 91 must continue to be used exclusively for construction procurements, in place of the PQQ core questions.

The policy note and annex (containing the PQQ core questions) can be viewed here.