Public sector procurement is evolving – and supplier checks can no longer be a box-ticking exercise.
With the Procurement Act 2023 driving greater transparency and accountability, contracting authorities need assurance that suppliers are capable, compliant, and ready to deliver before tendering even begins.
The answer lies in smarter, standardised verification through the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) – the recognised benchmark for supplier assurance across UK construction and the built environment sector.
The Problem with Tick-Box Procurement
Traditional pre-tender checks are fragmented and repetitive. Procurement teams often juggle multiple questionnaires, request duplicate documentation, and rely on inconsistent assessments between suppliers. The result?
- Time wasted duplicating effort
- Frustrated suppliers repeating the same information
- Gaps or inconsistencies in compliance data
What’s missing is a unified, trusted standard that allows procurement teams to verify supplier readiness quickly and confidently – without unnecessary admin.
The Shift to Smarter Supplier Checks
The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) – endorsed by Build UK and recognised in PPN 03/24 – provides a single, consistent framework for supplier pre-qualification. It replaces fragmented forms with one verified process that covers key areas such as:
- Financial stability
- Health & safety
- Environmental performance
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Business and professional standing
By adopting CAS within pre-tender procedures, public sector organisations can streamline procurement, reduce risk, and ensure every supplier meets the same high standard before tender evaluation begins.
Building Trust Through Verified Information
True confidence in procurement comes from verified data, not paperwork volume. CAS verification gives buyers assurance that suppliers have undergone an accredited assessment aligned with Procurement Act expectations for fairness, transparency, and proportionality.
Rather than chasing certificates, procurement teams can focus on what matters most – selecting qualified, responsible suppliers who are ready to deliver.
What This Means for Public Sector Procurement
Integrating CAS checks into your tender process brings measurable benefits:
- Confidence at pre-tender:
Know every supplier meets consistent standards before evaluation - Efficiency across frameworks:
Reduce administrative load and eliminate duplicate checks - Transparency and fairness:
Ensure all bidders are assessed against the same verified criteria - Reduced risk:
Avoid costly delays and compliance failures with validated supplier data.
The shift from tick-box to trust isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about raising the standard for public procurement.
Start Your Journey to Smart Supplier Checks
Smarter procurement starts with smarter verification. The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) empowers contracting authorities to meet the demands of the Procurement Act 2023 while strengthening supplier relationships and improving outcomes across every tender.
Compliance Chain is one of only seven Recognised Assessment Bodies for CAS in the UK, trusted by public sector organisations to deliver supplier verification with confidence and consistency.
Get in touch to see how Compliance Chain can help your organisation implement CAS checks and strengthen your pre-tender compliance process.
Beth supports users to optimise solutions, ensuring the success of clients’ projects. She actively listens to industry feedback, contributing to the ongoing development of software solutions.
