PPN 03/23: Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) · first published 9 March 2023
PPN 03/23 updates the Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) — the standardised set of questions buyers use to assess whether a supplier is suitable to bid for a public contract. It replaces the previous version, PPN 08/16, and comes with updated statutory guidance. Because we only have the summary and not the full document, the specific changes made to the SQ cannot be confirmed here. Small businesses bidding for public contracts should check the updated SQ and accompanying guidance directly on GOV.UK to understand any new or changed questions. The SQ is typically used at the selection (pre-qualification) stage, so getting it right is essential to even reaching the evaluation stage.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
Because the full document has not been parsed, enkii cannot confirm the precise changes made to the SQ — this brief is based on summary metadata only. However, any update to the SQ directly affects small businesses at the very first gate of a procurement: get the SQ wrong and you won't reach the bid stage at all. SMEs should treat this as a prompt to review the current SQ template and guidance before their next bid.
1. Download the updated Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) template and statutory guidance from GOV.UK and check for any new or changed questions before your next bid.
All SMEs bidding for public contracts — PPN 03/23 updates the SQ and replaces PPN 08/16 — using an outdated version or being unprepared for new questions could cause you to fail at the selection stage before evaluation even begins.
2. Review your standard SQ answers (e.g. financial standing, insurance, policies) against the new version to ensure they remain accurate and compliant.
All SMEs bidding for public contracts — The SQ is used to assess supplier suitability at the pre-qualification stage; any mismatch between your answers and the updated requirements could result in exclusion from the competition.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
PPN 03/23 replaces the previous Standard Selection Questionnaire policy note, PPN 08/16. (Central government buyers and suppliers bidding for public contracts.)
“This note replaces PPN 08/16.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.