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 considering the strategy of the procurement, the SQ should be considered by in-scope organisations, particularly exclusion grounds (Part 2) and supplier selection questions (Part 3).
Key considerations at this commercial stage
Contracting authorities should:
- consider the SQ, particularly exclusion grounds (Part 2) and supplier selection questions (Part 3) when planning the procurement.
Legal framework
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