PAS91: Essential Guide for Construction Sector Prequalification

PAS 91 Withdrawn: What Construction Suppliers Need to Know

The Crown Commercial Service published Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/24, which introduced significant changes that affect construction suppliers bidding for public contracts:

• PAS 91 officially withdrawn for works contracts
• Common Assessment Standard (CAS) produced by Build UK is now the required replacement
• Contracting authorities had to implement this change by 27 June 2024

What This Means for Suppliers

If you've been using PAS 91 for construction-related tenders, you'll need to adapt to the new Common Assessment Standard. This change aligns with the sector's move toward more standardised pre-qualification processes, which we discussed in our main article on business questionnaires.

Financial Standing Assessment Changes

The new guidance also introduces a potentially significant change regarding financial assessments:

• Previous guidance stated that minimum turnover requirements or credit reference checks should not be used as the sole reason for excluding bidders
• This restriction has been removed from the new guidance
• Contracting authorities may now disqualify bidders solely for not meeting turnover thresholds, provided this is 'proportionate'
• Caution is still advised when using credit reference agency checks as the sole exclusion criterion

How Thornton & Lowe Can Help

Our team of specialist bid writers remains ready to support you through these changes. We can:

• Help you prepare for the Common Assessment Standard requirements
• Review your financial documentation to ensure it meets the new criteria
• Provide guidance on the updated Selection Questionnaire format

For more comprehensive information on business questionnaires, selection processes, and procurement procedures, please refer to our main article on Business Questionnaires in Procurement and Tendering.

Details below developed for PAS 91.

Understanding PAS 91

PAS 91 is a standardised pre-qualification questionnaire for the construction industry. It aims to simplify the tendering process and reduce costs for both buyers and suppliers.

Origins and Development of PAS 91

PAS 91 was created by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to address issues in construction procurement. It was designed to streamline the pre-qualification process for contractors.

The standard was first introduced in 2010 and has since been updated. Its goal is to cut construction costs by 15-20% through improved efficiency.

PAS 91 aligns with the UK Government's construction strategy. It's now used by public sector buyers, including central government, local authorities, and health services.

In 2017, PAS 91 was amended to include new questions on mandatory exclusion reasons. These cover areas like the Immigration Act and the Minimum Wage Act.

Key Principles of PAS 91

PAS 91 uses a set of common questions for all contractors. This helps reduce paperwork and saves time for both buyers and suppliers.

The questionnaire covers essential areas like financial information, health and safety, and quality management. It recognises existing certifications, such as ISO 9001 or 14001.

If you're assessed by a Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) member, you can skip some questions. This further speeds up the process.

PAS 91 is now part of the Common Assessment Standard. This wider scheme aims to create a single industry-wide pre-qualification system.

Many main contractors now use PAS 91 when choosing specialists for their supply chains. It's helping to create a more consistent approach across the industry.

The Role of PAS 91 in the Procurement Process

PAS 91 plays a crucial role in streamlining the procurement process for construction projects. It provides a standardised approach for assessing contractors, saving time and resources for both buyers and suppliers.

Prequalification Questionnaires (PQQ)

PAS 91 serves as a standard prequalification questionnaire (PQQ) for the construction industry. It helps you gather essential information about potential contractors before inviting them to tender. The questionnaire covers key areas such as:

• Financial stability
• Health and safety practices
• Environmental management
• Quality assurance

By using PAS 91, you can easily compare different contractors based on consistent criteria. This makes it simpler to create a shortlist of qualified suppliers for your project.

Assessment Criteria Specifics

The PAS 91 questionnaire includes specific assessment criteria tailored to the construction sector. These criteria focus on:

1. Technical ability
2. Experience in similar projects
3. Regulatory compliance
4. Professional qualifications

Each section of the questionnaire is designed to evaluate a contractor's suitability for your project. The standardised format ensures that you collect all necessary information in a structured manner.

Advantages for the Public Sector

PAS 91 offers several benefits for public sector procurement:

1. Cost reduction: By streamlining the prequalification process, PAS 91 helps cut administrative costs.
2. Time savings: The standardised format speeds up the assessment of contractors.
3. Consistency: It ensures a uniform approach across different public sector bodies.
4. Compliance: PAS 91 aligns with government construction strategies, helping you meet regulatory requirements.

By adopting PAS 91, you can improve the efficiency of your procurement process while maintaining high standards for contractor selection.

Compliance and Accreditations

PAS 91 plays a key role in ensuring compliance and accreditations for construction projects. It helps streamline pre-qualification processes and recognises various industry standards.

Compliance with British Standards

PAS 91 aligns with British Standards to maintain quality in construction projects. It sets guidelines for pre-qualification questionnaires used by public sector buyers. While PAS 91 has been withdrawn, its principles are still applied.

The Common Assessment Standard now serves as the main pre-qualification tool for public sector procurement. This new standard builds on PAS 91's foundation, keeping core compliance elements.

You'll find that PAS 91 modules cover specific regulations, like the CDM 2015. These modules help you show compliance with key safety and management rules in construction.

Accreditation Processes

PAS 91 simplifies accreditation processes for suppliers. It recognises existing certifications, which can save you time and effort.

If you hold certifications from SSIP Member Schemes or UKAS Accredited Certification Bodies, you may need to complete fewer questions. This streamlined approach makes it easier to gain PAS 91 compliance.

The standard covers various aspects of your business, including:

• Quality management
• Environmental practices
• Health and safety measures
• Financial stability

By meeting these criteria, you demonstrate your company's competence and reliability to potential clients.

Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP)

SSIP plays a crucial role in PAS 91 compliance. These schemes ensure that suppliers meet health and safety standards.

PAS 91 recognises SSIP member certifications. This means if you're certified by an SSIP scheme, you may not need to provide additional health and safety information.

Common SSIP schemes include:

• CHAS
• SafeContractor
• Constructionline

These schemes assess your health and safety practices. They look at your policies, procedures, and track record. By holding an SSIP certification, you show buyers that you meet industry safety standards.

SSIP aims to reduce duplication in safety assessments. This saves you time and money when bidding for contracts.

Impact on Health and Safety

PAS 91 plays a crucial role in ensuring health and safety standards in construction projects. It provides a framework for assessing contractors' capabilities and compliance with regulations.

Health and Safety Considerations in PAS 91

PAS 91 includes a dedicated health and safety module. This module covers key areas like risk management, training, and incident reporting.

Contractors must show they have proper safety policies in place. They need to prove they can identify and control workplace hazards.

The questionnaire asks about:

• Safety management systems
• Worker training programmes
• Accident reporting procedures
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) provision

PAS 91 helps clients choose contractors with strong safety records. It promotes a culture of safety across construction projects.

Link Between PAS 91 and SSIP

Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) work closely with PAS 91. SSIP is a group of safety assessment schemes.

If you have SSIP certification, you may not need to complete the health and safety module of PAS 91. This saves time and reduces paperwork.

SSIP members use PAS 91 criteria in their assessments. This ensures consistency across different schemes.

The link between PAS 91 and SSIP makes pre-qualification easier. It helps contractors prove their safety credentials without duplicating efforts.

Benefits for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

PAS 91 offers key advantages for SMEs in the construction industry. It simplifies processes and creates more opportunities for smaller businesses to compete for contracts.

Facilitating Access for SMEs

PAS 91 opens doors for SMEs in construction bidding. The standard was designed with smaller firms in mind, making it easier for you to participate.

As an SME, you'll find the pre-qualification process more accessible. PAS 91 removes barriers that once discouraged smaller companies from taking part. This means you have a better chance to showcase your skills and win contracts.

The questionnaire's format is straightforward, allowing you to highlight your strengths effectively. You don't need complex resources to complete it, which levels the playing field.

Streamlining the Bidding Process

PAS 91 makes bidding more efficient for SMEs. It cuts down on paperwork and repetitive tasks, saving you time and money.

The standard questionnaire means you only need to prepare answers once. You can then use these for multiple bids, reducing your workload. This efficiency lets you focus on other important aspects of your business.

PAS 91 also helps you understand what buyers are looking for. It gives clear guidance on the information you need to provide. This clarity improves your chances of submitting a successful bid.

By using PAS 91, you'll find the pre-qualification stage less daunting. It's a tool that helps you compete more effectively in the construction market.

Environmental and Quality Management Standards

PAS 91 includes key modules for assessing environmental and quality management practices. These areas help buyers evaluate suppliers' systems for managing environmental impacts and ensuring quality standards.

Environmental Assessment within PAS 91

PAS 91 has a specific module for environmental management. This section looks at a supplier's policies and capabilities for handling environmental issues. Buyers use it to check if suppliers have proper systems to manage their environmental impact.

The module asks about:

• Environmental policies
• Environmental management systems
• Waste reduction plans
• Energy efficiency measures
• Staff training on environmental issues

Having ISO 14001 certification can help suppliers show they meet environmental standards. But it's not always required. The key is demonstrating good environmental practices that fit the project.

Quality Management and ISO 9001

Quality management is another important part of PAS 91. This section checks if suppliers have good systems to ensure consistent quality in their work. It looks at things like:

• Quality policies and objectives
• Quality control processes
• Staff training on quality standards
• Customer feedback systems
• Continuous improvement practices

ISO 9001 certification is often seen as proof of a good quality management system. Many buyers look for this when assessing suppliers. But even without formal certification, you can show your commitment to quality through well-documented processes and a track record of high-quality work.

Advanced Assessments

Advanced assessments help contractors meet higher standards in construction projects. These evaluations cover key areas like technology integration and comprehensive risk management.

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

BIM is a crucial part of advanced assessments in construction. It's a 3D model-based process that gives architects, engineers, and contractors insights and tools to plan, design, and manage buildings more efficiently.

BIM helps you:

• Spot design clashes before construction starts
• Improve collaboration between teams
• Save time and reduce costs
• Enhance project visualisation

To get BIM-ready, you'll need to invest in software and training. Many clients now require BIM expertise for large projects.

Common Assessment Standard (CAS)

The CAS is a unified pre-qualification system for the UK construction industry. It replaces PAS 91 and simplifies the tender process.

Key features of CAS:

• Covers health and safety, environmental, and quality management
• Recognised by major contractors and clients
• Reduces duplication in pre-qualification questionnaires
• Available at different levels to suit various business sizes

To achieve CAS certification, you must complete a detailed assessment. This looks at your policies, procedures, and track record. Once certified, you can use it to pre-qualify for multiple projects.

Maintaining PAS 91 Standards

PAS 91 requires ongoing effort to stay current and effective. Regular reviews and active participation from members help keep the standard up-to-date and useful for the construction industry.

Regular Reviews and Updates

BSI checks PAS 91 often to make sure it still works well. They look at new rules, industry changes, and feedback from users. This helps keep the standard relevant and useful.

When updates are needed, BSI makes changes to PAS 91. They might add new questions or change existing ones. This keeps the standard in line with current practices and laws.

BSI tells everyone about these updates. They share the changes with users and explain why they're important. This helps people using PAS 91 to stay informed and comply with the latest version.

Membership and Continuous Improvement

You can join groups that work on PAS 91. These groups meet to talk about how the standard is working and suggest improvements.

As a member, you can share your experiences with PAS 91. Your input helps shape future updates. You can point out parts that work well or areas that need change.

Members also learn from each other. They share best practices for using PAS 91 in their work. This helps everyone use the standard more effectively.

By taking part, you help make PAS 91 better for the whole industry. Your involvement ensures the standard stays practical and meets real-world needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

PAS 91 is a key standard for construction industry pre-qualification. It covers important aspects of the certification process, updates, and alternatives.

What is the purpose of the BSI PAS 91 standard?

PAS 91 is a standardised pre-qualification questionnaire for the construction industry. It aims to simplify the tendering process for both buyers and suppliers. The standard helps assess potential contractors' suitability for projects.

Has there been any updates or withdrawal notices for the PAS 91?

Yes, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has withdrawn PAS 91. It will no longer be updated. Despite this, buyers can still use it as a pre-qualification tool if they choose to do so.

What are the key differences between CHAS and PAS 91 certification?

CHAS is a health and safety assessment scheme, while PAS 91 is a broader pre-qualification standard. CHAS can help meet part of the PAS 91 requirements. It focuses on health and safety compliance, whereas PAS 91 covers more areas of business practice.

What documents could be used as a replacement for the PAS 91 certification?

The Common Assessment Standard is now advised for use in public sector procurement tendering. This standard replaces PAS 91 as the recommended pre-qualification questionnaire for the construction industry.

How can one obtain a PAS 91 certificate for their business?

There is no official PAS 91 certificate. Companies can complete the PAS 91 questionnaire to show they meet the standard's requirements. This can be done through various assessment providers or directly with potential clients.

Which organisations typically recognise and request PAS 91 compliance?

Public sector organisations and large construction firms often recognise PAS 91. Main contractors may ask their supply chain to complete PAS 91 questionnaires. Some private sector clients also use PAS 91 in their procurement processes.