What Is a PQQ? Guide for Suppliers

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 content.

What does a PQQ cover?

A typical PQQ or SQ will ask for:

• Company information: Legal name, registration number, address, VAT number, company structure
• Financial standing: Turnover for the last two or three years, audited accounts, confirmation of financial viability
• Insurance: Evidence of public liability, professional indemnity, and employers' liability insurance at the required levels
• Technical ability: Case studies or references demonstrating relevant experience, usually three contracts of a similar nature
• Quality management: Confirmation of ISO 9001 or equivalent quality management systems
• Health and safety: Policies, procedures, and recent audit results
• Equalities and diversity: Policies on equal opportunities and, for larger contracts, modern slavery statements
• Environmental management: Policies and, for some contracts, ISO 14001 certification
• Grounds for exclusion: Declarations that your company has not been convicted of fraud, bribery, tax evasion or other disqualifying offences

How PQQ responses are scored

Most PQQ questions are pass/fail: you either meet the minimum threshold or you do not. A small number of questions may be scored (usually the case studies), and only suppliers above a minimum total score progress to the ITT stage.

Tips for completing a PQQ

• Read the minimum requirements carefully. Do not bid if you clearly fail a mandatory threshold.
• Keep a document library with standard answers, insurance certificates, accounts, and case studies so you can respond quickly to any PQQ.
• Tailor your case studies to mirror the language and requirements of the specific contract.
• Answer every question, even if the answer seems obvious. Incomplete submissions are often disqualified.
• Check that your insurance levels meet or exceed the stated minimums before submitting.

Finding tenders with a PQQ stage

Higher-value or more complex contracts are more likely to include a PQQ or SQ stage. TenderSignal alerts you to relevant notices as soon as they are published so you have maximum time to prepare your response. Sign up free to set up your first tender alerts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a PQQ and a Selection Questionnaire?

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.

What happens if I fail the PQQ stage?

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.

Do I need ISO certification to pass a PQQ?

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.

How long does a PQQ take to complete?

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.

Can I reuse my PQQ answers for different tenders?

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.

What is a Selection Questionnaire portal?

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.

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