Procurement policy note 8/16: Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) template · first published 26 September 2016
This Procurement Policy Note (PPN 8/16), published in September 2016, introduces a revised standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) to replace the previous Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) used at the supplier-selection stage of public procurements. It supersedes the earlier guidance in PPN 03/15. The SQ is the form buyers use to assess whether a supplier is eligible and capable before inviting them to tender. The change applies to contracting authorities in England, and those in Wales and Northern Ireland that exercise wholly or mainly reserved functions, for procurements above the thresholds set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015). Because we only have the summary text and not the full document, the precise content and questions within the SQ template are not available here — SMEs should download and read the full template directly from GOV.UK.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
Standardisation of the selection questionnaire is generally good news for small businesses: instead of facing a different PQQ format from every buyer, suppliers can prepare standard answers once and reuse them. However, because we only have the summary text and not the full SQ template, enkii cannot confirm exactly which questions or criteria have changed — SMEs should review the new SQ template carefully against the old PQQ to spot any new requirements. The geographic and threshold scope is broad (England plus reserved-function authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland, above PCR 2015 thresholds), so this affects a large share of public-sector opportunities.
1. Download the new standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) template from GOV.UK and compare it question-by-question with the old PQQ so you know exactly what has changed before your next bid.
All SMEs bidding for public contracts above PCR 2015 thresholds in England, Wales or Northern Ireland — The SQ has replaced the PQQ as the standard selection tool; buyers are now required to use it, so your pre-qualification answers need to match the new format.
2. Build (or update) a 'standard answers' library using the new SQ template, so you can respond quickly and consistently to any buyer using the standardised form.
All SMEs bidding for public contracts — Standardisation means the same questions will appear across buyers; having ready-made, polished answers saves time and reduces errors on every bid.
3. Discard any processes or checklists based on PPN 03/15 and replace them with this PPN 8/16 guidance and the new SQ template.
SMEs that previously relied on PPN 03/15 guidance for supplier selection — PPN 8/16 explicitly supersedes PPN 03/15; continuing to use the old guidance risks preparing responses that no longer match what buyers require.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The SQ replaces the standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and supersedes PPN 03/15 guidance on supplier selection and PQQs. (All in-scope contracting authorities above PCR 2015 thresholds)
“It replaces the current standard Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). This PPN supersedes the guidance on supplier selection and PQQs in PPN 03/15.”
The PPN applies to all contracting authorities in England, and contracting authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland that exercise wholly or mainly reserved functions, for procurements above PCR 2015 thresholds. (Contracting authorities in England; Wales and Northern Ireland reserved-function authorities; above PCR 2015 thresholds)
“This PPN applies to all contracting authorities in England, and contracting authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland that exercise wholly or mainly reserved functions for procurements above the thresholds laid down in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).”
The rules apply only to procurements above the thresholds set in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015); below-threshold procurements are not covered. (All in-scope contracting authorities)
“procurements above the thresholds laid down in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015)”
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.