What is a PQQ? A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is a document issued by a public sector buyer to screen suppliers before inviting them to submit a full tender bid. It is the first filtering stage in many procurement processes, used to check whether a supplier meets the minimum standards required to be considered for the contract. If you pass the PQQ stage, you are shortlisted and receive the full Invitation to Tender (ITT). If you do not pass, you will not be invited to bid. PQQ vs Selection Questionnaire (SQ) The term PQQ was formally replaced by "Selection Questionnaire" (SQ) in 2016 when the UK introduced the standard Crown Commercial Service SQ template. However, many buyers still use "PQQ" informally. In practice, a PQQ and an SQ serve the same purpose and cover very similar co
Functionally they serve the same purpose. PQQ was the standard term before 2016, when the Crown Commercial Service introduced a standardised Selection Questionnaire template. Many buyers and suppliers still use PQQ informally.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you will not be invited to submit a full tender bid. You may receive limited feedback, but buyers are not always required to provide detailed reasons for a PQQ failure.
Not always. Some PQQs require ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, but many do not. Read the requirements carefully for each tender, as they vary significantly.
A straightforward PQQ can be completed in a few hours if you have your standard documents ready. More complex PQQs with detailed case study requirements can take several days.
Yes, to a significant extent. Company details, financials, insurance, and policies stay the same. Case studies should be tailored to each tender to mirror the specific requirements.
Many buyers use procurement portals such as ProContract, Delta, or In-Tend to manage the SQ process electronically. You create a supplier account, complete the SQ online, and attach supporting documents through the portal.