If you prepare a single, evidence-led pack aligned to PAS 91, you can pass Supplier Questionnaires quickly and reuse the same proof across multiple buyers, saving weeks and lifting later ITT scores. This guide shows what to prepare, how PQQs and SQs fit into the tender process, and where SMEs in construction, facilities, and care can get speed boosts.
What are PQQs and SQs?
A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) or Supplier Questionnaire (SQ) is a gateway check. Buyers assess legal, financial, and compliance basics first, then only invite capable, low-risk suppliers to tender. The content is similar across sectors, which is why preparing once and reusing works.
Since 2016 most central government routes standardised on the SQ format. You will still see the term PQQ in portals and frameworks. Treat both as pre-qualification. In devolved or legacy routes you may also see the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
Bottom line, the purpose is simple: confirm you are eligible, competent, insured, and safe to invite to the next stage.
Is PAS 91 still valid?
Yes, PAS 91 remains a recognised specification for construction-related pre-qualification. It provides a consistent question set covering core areas such as financials, policies, health and safety, and environmental management. Many buyers map their SQ to PAS 91 so suppliers can reuse standard evidence. Even when a portal does not cite PAS 91, aligning your library to its sections keeps you fast and compliant.
Where PQQs and SQs sit in the tender process
Most public procurements follow these stages:
Pipeline and notice - opportunity appears on a portal or framework.
Early qualification - PQQ or SQ, often pass or fail with some scored elements.
Invitation to Tender (ITT) - detailed technical, method, quality, and price.
Clarifications and submission - finalise, upload, and submit.
Evaluation and award - quality, price, and social value are scored; references and checks.
Mobilisation and contract start - onboarding, KPIs, and reporting.
If you want help filtering opportunities before this even starts, see our overview of the tender process documentation, portals, and evaluation models in our resource on the tender process.
The core sections you will face and how to prepare once
Organise a reusable pack that mirrors PAS 91 and the UK SQ. Keep each item dated, signed where needed, and easy to attach.
Company basics and legal: registration, directors, VAT, parent company if relevant.
Financials: recent accounts or statements, credit checks, turnover vs lot values, any going concern notes with explanations.
Insurance: Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, Professional Indemnity where relevant, with limits that meet the specification.
Policies and governance: Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Data Protection, Information Security, Safeguarding for care and education, Modern Slavery, Whistleblowing, Anti-Bribery.
Health and safety: policy signed by a senior officer, risk assessment approach, training matrix, RIDDOR log headline stats, accreditation such as SSIP.
Safeguarding: safer recruitment, DBS process, training levels, named Safeguarding Lead, incident reporting and escalation.
ESG and social value: carbon policy, baseline data where available, local supply chain approach, apprenticeships or placements, community engagement, and a simple reporting plan aligned to buyer goals.
Competence and experience: concise case studies with outcomes, dates, values, client types, and contact permissions.
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, Constructionline or similar, Cyber Essentials for data-heavy contracts.
Systems and data: how you control records, incidents, and continuous improvement.
A small electrical-testing SME used a 15-item core pack built like this to clear three SQs in two weeks and moved straight into ITT drafting while rivals were still chasing paperwork.
Rapid readiness checklist for SMEs
Use this shortlist to get pre-qualification ready:
Confirm insurance limits match typical framework asks, adjust if needed.
Update policies with current year signatures and review dates.
Prepare three sector-relevant case studies with measurable outcomes.
Export a training matrix and DBS status list where applicable.
Collate accident rates, audit findings, and improvement actions.
Create an evidence index linking each PAS 91 section to a file path.
Test your pack on a recent SQ to check for gaps.
A practical core policy pack
Aim for concise, auditor-friendly documents:
Quality policy plus a one-page process map for mobilisation, delivery, and review.
Environmental policy with Scope 1-3 reduction actions proportionate to your operations.
Health and safety policy with RAMS approach and toolbox talk schedule.
Safeguarding policy with safer recruitment steps, induction checks, and escalation routes.
Data protection and information security summary, including incident response times and named systems.
Social value commitments shaped into targets, for example 10 percent of subcontract spend with SMEs within 20 miles, one 2-week placement per quarter, or a 5 percent reduction in site fuel use year on year.
If you want help shaping measurable commitments, our guide to social value in bidding explains how to turn everyday activity into scoreable, auditable measures.
How strong SQ responses boost ITT scores
Clear, consistent SQ evidence reduces perceived risk. Evaluators who see compliant insurance, clean governance, credible competence, and measured safety performance start the ITT with confidence in your delivery. That frees your ITT narrative to focus on value and outcomes rather than defending fundamentals.
Two quick tips:
Mirror buyer language in headings so checks are fast.
Use short, verifiable claims, for example first-fix within 4 hours logged in [system name], monthly audit with trend reports to the Contract Manager.
Fast support options mapped to your timeline
Tender training courses for teams: build a reusable approach, align to scoring, and practise answer structures.
Bid review to close compliance gaps fast before upload.
Portal and CDP registrations: avoid last-minute lockouts by completing entity profiles, lots, and CAH checks early.
If you need structured coordination for multiple submissions, our bid management process service keeps timelines, dependencies, and uploads under control.
How to respond to an ITT well
Start with a scorecard. Map each question to marks, proof, and risk controls.
Build method statements that name roles, steps, records, and measures.
Keep attachments within limits and label them clearly.
Price and narrative must align. If you promise extra visits, the cost model should reflect them.
Submit early to protect against portal issues.
Common tender mistakes to avoid
Missing pass or fail items such as insurance certificates or signed forms.
Claims without proof, for example saying you audit monthly but providing no sample outputs.
Reusing answers without tailoring to the specification and service levels.
Social value promises that are vague or uncosted.
Overwriting each other’s content due to weak version control.
Uploading late or to the wrong portal section.
A short independent check often lifts marks quickly. A Team Review near final draft can catch gaps and tighten evidence before submission.
FAQs
What is a pre-qualification questionnaire?
A pre-qualification questionnaire is a gateway check of eligibility, capability, and compliance that buyers use before inviting suppliers to tender. The modern UK format is usually the SQ, but many routes still say PQQ.
What are the stages of a tender process?
Typically notice and qualification, PQQ or SQ, ITT, clarifications and submission, evaluation and award, then mobilisation.
Is PAS 91 still valid?
Yes. It remains a recognised construction pre-qualification specification and a helpful structure for reusable evidence.
How do I respond to a tender?
Build a scorecard-led plan, draft concise method statements with evidence, align price and narrative, review against the evaluation model, and submit early.
What are common tender mistakes?
Missing mandatory documents, vague or unauditable claims, weak tailoring, uncosted social value, and late or incorrect uploads.
Next steps
If you want a quick start, book tender training for your team or request a bid review to check your SQ pack before summer frameworks reopen. You can also explore our page on the bid management process if coordination is your main bottleneck. Finally, if you are targeting public sector pipelines, our overview of the tender process and documentation will help you line up portals, evaluation, and submissions.
Resources:
See how our Bid Strategy Accelerator helps you win the tender with a competitive approach
Learn how to build credible social value answers.
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