In this article Michael Winder and Samantha Thompson from the Procurement team look at the changes that are being implemented to the public contract procurement process.
The Cabinet Office recently published its latest Procurement Policy Note (PPN 03/23) containing a new revised version of the Standard Selection Questionnaire.
This revised questionnaire must be used for all new procurements subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) starting on or after 1st April 2023, but can be used immediately if a contracting authority so wishes.
The revised questionnaire aims to clarify certain vague areas in the previous SQ, while also introducing new questions. It also reflects the changes made to PCR 2015 by subsequent amendment legislation since the existing SQ was issued.
Finally, it has also been reformatted to support the movement to e-procurement platforms.
Some key changes noted in the PPN 03/23 include:
- Clarity on changes that contracting authorities can make to the wording of questions;
- Clarity on what is meant by “relying on another organisation” to meet the selection criteria;
- Clarity for contracting authorities on seeking information from groups of suppliers;
- Amendments to financial questions and checks;
- Introduction of health and safety, supply chains and data protection questions;
- Clarity on handling the responses to questions on the Modern Slavery Act as well as additional requirements;
- Introduction of questions related to carbon emissions;
- Introduction of updated payment questions; and
- Formatting the template responses for exclusion grounds as a self-declaration rather than yes/no answers.
The PPN 03/23 goes on to set out the revised questionnaire’s structure which will be separated into three parts, covering:
- Basic information about the potential supplier;
- A self-declaration as to whether or not any exclusion grounds apply (as opposed to the previous yes/no tick boxes; and
- Evidence and self-declarations of the bidders’ economic and financial standing as well as its technical and professional ability.
The changes to the Standard Selection Questionnaire have been formulated from feedback to PPN 08/16 and are likely welcome to those familiar with the procurement process.
However, with little time until the revised questionnaire is implemented, it is essential that contracting authorities not only have it on their radar but are also familiar and comfortable with its format. PPN 03/23 helpfully sets out guidance for each of the substantial changes.
We would recommend that anyone involved with the procurement process looks to update documents and processes accordingly.
Our expert Procurement Team can be on hand to provide assistance with this important change to the supplier selection process.
