PPN 03/24 (PCR 2015)

Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ)

In: Procure > Finalise and publish procurement pack

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

When finalising and launching the procurement, the SQ should be incorporated into the procurement documents.

Key considerations at this commercial stage

Contracting authorities should:

  • ensure that the procurement documents make it clear how potential suppliers can access the selection questions and submit their responses
  • ensure that the questions in Part 1 and 2 of the SQ are asked in all procurement procedures, including the open procedure. Responses to the questions in Part 1 and 2 of the SQ are required for all organisations which form part of the potential supplier’s bidding group / consortium, as well as any subcontractors that the potential supplier relies on to meet the selection criteria
  • ensure that the instructions clearly state whether suppliers are required to provide a single composite response to the questions in Part 3 of the SQ (economic and financial standing / technical and professional ability) or whether certain questions must be answered by each member of the bidding group / consortium, including any subcontractors relied on to meet the selection criteria
  • ensure that the instructions clearly state the evidence that must be provided by suppliers to demonstrate how they satisfy the selection criteria, and when this evidence must be provided
  • ensure that the SQ enables suppliers to provide an explanation of the measures that they have taken to demonstrate their reliability when one or more grounds for exclusion apply (other than in respect of non-payment of taxes)
  • ensure that, where the standard selection questions are presented as a separate document, appropriate declarations are included and a signature is obtained.

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

This applies to