From PQQ to SQ to PSQ
Before 2016 most buyers used their own Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 this became the government's Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ). For procurements commenced under the Procurement Act 2023 on or after 24 February 2025, the template Procurement Specific Questionnaire fulfils a similar role. Procurements that started under the old rules can still use the SQ, and many buyers and prime contractors still say "PQQ" informally. Welsh devolved procurements use the Wales Procurement Specific Questionnaire, and Scottish authorities use the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
The three parts of the PSQ
- Part 1: core supplier information. You confirm that your information on the Central Digital Platform is up to date and share it with the buyer, by share code or downloaded file. It covers basic information, economic and financial standing, connected persons (such as directors, majority shareholders and parent companies) and exclusion grounds.
- Part 2: additional exclusions information. Details of any associated persons you rely on to meet the conditions of participation, and your intended subcontractors, so the buyer can check exclusion grounds for them too.
- Part 3: conditions of participation. The buyer's own questions on your legal and financial capacity and technical ability. This is where written policies, insurance and certificates are usually requested, often as pass/fail.
Typical Part 3 questions, and the evidence behind them
Buyers choose and adapt their own questions. This table is based on published buyer questionnaires built on the government template.
| Topic | What buyers commonly ask | Evidence to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Confirm you have, or will obtain by award, employer's liability, public liability and professional indemnity cover at stated levels | Certificates, or a broker's quote for cover you would buy on award |
| Financial standing | Your registration number for a credit check; whether you rely on a guarantor | Companies House number, recent accounts |
| Data protection | The technical and organisational measures you have to comply with UK GDPR | GDPR & data protection policy, information security policy |
| Experience | Up to three relevant contracts (goods and services usually within the last three years), with a contactable referee; or an explanation if you have none | Contract summaries and referee details |
| Subcontractors | How you keep supply chains healthy and make sure subcontractors perform | Subcontractor & supply chain policy |
| Health and safety | Describe your arrangements for managing health and safety and controlling significant risks (often pass/fail, with a word limit) | Health & safety policy, risk assessments, training records |
| Quality | ISO 9001 certificate, or details of your quality management system | Quality management policy, complaints procedure |
| Business continuity | Confirm you have a current business continuity and disaster recovery plan | Business continuity policy |
| Modern slavery | Whether you are covered by section 54 (£36m+ turnover) and your statement complies; buyers may ask smaller suppliers where proportionate | Statement link, or a modern slavery policy |
| Carbon and cyber | A PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plan for in-scope contracts above £5m a year; Cyber Essentials or equivalent under PPN 014 where data risk is higher | Carbon Reduction Plan, Cyber Essentials certificate |
How to prepare before a PSQ arrives
- Register on Find a Tender and complete your supplier information on the Central Digital Platform.
- Review your exclusions answers. If something has gone wrong in the past, write down what you changed so you can explain it.
- Check your insurance levels against what buyers in your market usually ask for.
- Pick three good contract examples and confirm your referees are happy to be contacted.
- Make sure your core policies are in your company name, signed by a director and dated within the last 12 months. The free tender readiness checker shows which ones your sector and buyer are likely to ask for.
- Draft short reusable answers for health and safety, quality and data protection, then tailor them to each contract.
- When you submit, update anything that has changed and create a fresh share code.
Common reasons suppliers fail the PSQ
- Supplier information on the platform is out of date, or the share code was not provided.
- Insurance is below the required level and there is no commitment to obtain it by award.
- Policies are generic, unsigned, out of date or in another company's name.
- Answers exceed the word limit or don't address the question asked.
- Answers contradict the attached policies, for example naming a different person as responsible.
- No contract examples and no explanation. New businesses can usually explain how they meet the requirement instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PSQ the same as a PQQ?
It does the same job, checking whether you are eligible and suitable before your tender is evaluated, but it is a different, standardised document. The PQQ was replaced by the Standard Selection Questionnaire, and the PSQ replaces that for procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Do I have to complete the whole PSQ for every tender?
No. Your core supplier information is held on the Central Digital Platform, so for Part 1 you confirm it is up to date and share it. Parts 2 and 3 are specific to each procurement.
Is the PSQ used for below-threshold contracts?
The template is designed for above-threshold procurements with a selection stage. Smaller contracts usually involve simpler questions, but you may still be asked for policies and, if you win a notifiable below-threshold contract, for your Central Digital Platform identifier (from 1 April 2026).
Which policies are most often requested in a PSQ?
Health and safety, quality, data protection and business continuity come up most, with modern slavery, environmental and sector-specific policies depending on the contract. Our tender readiness checker lists them for your sector and buyer.
Sources
- PA 2023 Procurement Specific Questionnaire template (Civil Service Procurement Pathway)
- Guidance: Central Digital Platform and publication of information (GOV.UK)
- WPPN 002: Wales Procurement Specific Questionnaire (GOV.WALES)
- PPN 009: Tackling modern slavery in government supply chains (GOV.UK)
- PPN 014: Cyber Essentials scheme (GOV.UK)
- PPN 006: Carbon Reduction Plans (GOV.UK)
General information, not legal advice. Always follow the tender documents and take legal advice where needed.