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What is PAS91? (Pre-Qualification Explained)

An infographic on a blue background with a man in a construction outfit and a white construction contract icon.

PAS 91 is the UK Government’s standard for pre-qualification, created to provide a more consistent and efficient process for public sector procurement teams when assessing contractor pre-qualification.

The standard is used by buyers from all over the UK public sector, including central government departments, local authorities, health service organisations and defence establishments, to name a few.

To find out more about PAS 91 and its benefits to both buyers and suppliers, as well as any changes made to the standard, continue reading.

 

PAS 91 Explained

Introduced by the British Standards Institute (BSI) in 2010, the Publicly Available Specification Number 91 (PAS 91) is designed to reduce duplication and improve efficiency while ensuring only suitably qualified suppliers are engaged in public projects. The standard includes a variety of questions, all of which cover different areas, such as:

  • Financial information
  • Environmental practices
  • Human resources policies
  • Insurance requirements
  • Quality management systems

 

PAS 91 was created to ensure that all procurement in the public sector is fair, open, and efficient while safeguarding against potentially damaging risks, including fraudulent or corrupt behaviour.

The standard helps buyers by providing a consistent framework for assessing pre-qualification criteria, which helps to ensure that only qualified and best-suited contractors are invited to tender.

 

Is PAS 91 Mandatory?

Despite the questionnaire being a recommended minimum standard for construction procurement, it is not mandatory. However, achieving PAS 91 compliance is highly beneficial and proves credibility within the construction industry.

Construction is one of the largest sectors in the UK economy – with a turnover of £370 billion, contributing £138 billion in value to the UK economy. We believe that achieving PAS 91 compliance is most helpful in the world of construction.

Although it’s not legally required, adhering to the PAS 91 standard can significantly increase a contractor’s chances of involvement in public sector projects. Procurement teams consider PAS 91 compliance as evidence of the contractor’s commitment to efficiency, risk mitigation, and maintaining high-quality standards.

It gives contractors an advantage in a competitive marketplace, validating both their capability and readiness to undertake public sector contracts. Therefore, while not mandatory as mentioned, PAS 91 compliance is a worthwhile pursuit for any contractor looking to succeed in the public sector.

 

Are ISO 14001, 9001, and 45001 Accreditations Considered?

Yes, PAS 91 takes into consideration ISO 14001, 9001, and 45001 accreditations. These internationally recognised standards stand for:

  • Environmental management
  • Quality management
  • Occupational health and safety

 

Achieving such accreditations often serves as proof that a contractor has reliable systems in place when it comes to managing quality, environmental impact, and worker safety.

When a supplier demonstrates compliance with ISO standards within their PAS 91 questionnaire, it can significantly enhance their pre-qualification opportunities for public sector contracts.

Showing compliance with these standards also reduces the need for other questions within the questionnaire, making the process more efficient and less time-consuming.

 

Key Elements of the PAS 91 Standard

The PAS 91 standard is designed to offer a range of essential elements that contribute to an effective and efficient public procurement process.

It includes a selection of standardised questions which are focused on aspects such as financial standing, organisational and operational capacities, and technical abilities, to name a few.

The standard also requires an examination of a company’s environmental management and quality assurance protocols, ensuring they meet acceptable thresholds. Additionally, the standard looks into specifics, such as:

  • Insurance details
  • Equality and diversity policies
  • Health and safety procedures
  • Compliance with the Modern Slavery Act

 

This thorough scrutiny, as defined by PAS 91, ensures that all suppliers engaged in public sector projects are not just proficient in their respective areas but are also committed to best practices in all business operations.

 

Changes to the PAS 91 Questionnaire in 2017

In 2017, significant amendments were made to the PAS 91 to incorporate feedback and changes in the industry. A notable change was the introduction of a section on the Immigration Act and the Minimum Wage Act.

This required contractors to confirm that they’re compliant with the relevant legislation. The addition was essential to help make sure suppliers to the public sector were compliant with the Act, bringing a greater ethical dimension to procurement.

The revised PAS 91 also simplified sections related to health and safety and environmental management, making it easier for contractors to demonstrate their compliance in these specific areas.

 

Benefits of PAS 91 for Suppliers

There are many benefits to being PAS 91 compliant if you’re a supplier working in the construction industry.

One of the main benefits of PAS 91 compliance for suppliers is the potential for increased business opportunities, given its recognition amongst public sector procurement teams.

Compliance signifies that a contractor has met a certain standard of business operation, enhancing their reputation and standing within the industry.

Additionally, the standardisation of questions within the PAS 91 pre-qualification questionnaire streamlines the application process, which saves time and resources that would otherwise be spent on completing different forms for different buyers.

This efficiency can prove particularly beneficial for smaller suppliers or those with limited resources. Lastly, achieving PAS 91 compliance can provide an advantage in a crowded marketplace, showing a supplier’s commitment to efficiency, quality, and risk mitigation.

 

Benefits of PAS 91 for Buyers

There are numerous benefits of PAS 91. The standard provides a common platform to evaluate potential suppliers, simplifying the procurement process and reducing administrative overheads.

Through PAS 91, buyers can ensure a level of consistency and fairness in supplier pre-qualification, encouraging trust in the procurement process. The standard framework of PAS 91 ensures all suppliers are assessed and evaluated based on the same criteria.

This minimises the risk of bias while enhancing the quality and sustainability of the procurement process.

By streamlining this process with a standardised questionnaire, buyers can discover and identify qualified contractors much faster, allowing them to focus on delivering projects in a timely and cost-effective manner, in addition to other project-specific areas of the pre-qualification process.

By prioritising contractors who adhere to PAS 91, buyers are encouraging higher industry standards and best practices, thereby contributing to making the construction industry better and safer.

 

Demonstrate Your PAS 91 Compliance

Compliance Chain has years worth of industry experience, with great knowledge and understanding of the PAS 91 modules.

We can help suppliers achieve PAS 91 compliance – using our platform, both buyers and contractors benefit from easy-to-use and cost-effective construction project management tools. These tools help save time and resources.

Our platform captures and tracks the industry compliance of principal contractors and integrates with your existing systems, allowing you to perform accurate and efficient supplier pre-qualification.

Buyers can check for over 15 compliance assessment areas through our platform to ascertain if a contractor is fully compliant with industry regulations. This process makes pre-qualification faster for both buyers and suppliers, enhancing the project delivery process.

If you want to learn more about how Compliance Chain can help you with your PAS 91 compliance requirements, contact us today. We’re more than happy to discuss your needs and show how our platform can help you meet them.

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