PPN 03/24 (PCR 2015)

Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ)

In: Procure > Contract award and implementation

Overview

This PPN provides updates to the Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) and accompanying statutory guidance.

This PPN applies to all contracting authorities in England, and contract authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland that exercise wholly or mainly reserved functions, in each case when undertaking above threshold procurements within Part 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).

Objective at this commercial stage

Whilst a bidder is not required to produce supporting documentary evidence or certificates until specifically requested, the contracting authority must request this evidence from the successful supplier before awarding the contract.

Key considerations at this commercial stage

Contracting authorities should:

  • require a successful supplier to produce supporting documentary evidence or certificates before awarding the contract, in order to demonstrate that the successful supplier continues to meet the relevant selection requirements
  • not award the contract to the successful supplier where it is unable to provide reasonable evidence to demonstrate that it satisfies the relevant selection requirements.

The PPN should be read alongside the relevant parts of the legal framework, including but not limited to, the following provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (which may be particularly relevant to the consideration of this PPN):

  • Regulation 19: Economic operators
  • Regulation 57: Exclusion grounds
  • Regulation 58: Selection criteria
  • Regulation 59: Single procurement document
  • Regulation 60: Means of proof
  • Regulation 63: Reliance on capacities of other entities
  • Regulation 65: Reduction of qualified candidates
  • Regulation 71: Subcontracting
  • Regulation 107: Qualitative selection

Additional support and guidance

Make sure you:

  • read the PPN and any supporting implementation guidance
  • seek legal and commercial advice in the context of specific procurements
Read the PPN

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