The updated PAS has been adopted by the government-backed pre-qualification service Constructionline as the basis of its own questionnaire.
“The updated version of PAS91:2013 is a positive step forward in reducing the burden of pre-qualification on the construction industry’s supply chain,” said Constructionline director Philip Prince. “By providing a standardised pre-qualification question set, it aims to solve the common problem of suppliers having to complete a variety of different questionnaires in order to pre-qualify for work."
He added: “The new question set looks to simplify the pre-qualification process by allowing suppliers to ‘copy and paste’ the same set of pre-prepared responses for all buyers. When you consider the amount of pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) that suppliers are required to submit in order to maintain a steady pipeline of work and the associated costs which can run into the thousands, adopting PAS91 is ever more important in ensuring the livelihood of suppliers – particularly SMEs.”
Constructionline was a member of the steering group involved in developing PAS91:2013.
Mr Prince said: “Working as part of the steering group set up by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS), we have ensured the updated question set meets the pre-qualification requirements of our clients and, in turn, the changing needs of the construction industry. As such, the updated version of PAS91 also includes an additional Building Information Modelling (BIM) section for projects requiring it, as well as defence and security questions for those suppliers wishing to work for the Ministry of Defence (MOD).”
Philip Prince continued: “The government has recommended use of PAS91 in the Government Construction Strategy and Common Minimum Standards for construction procurement – with the question set already mandated for central government departments. The latest Government Construction Strategy update also recommends that the entire supply chain adopts the new question set.
“Simplifying the pre-qualification process is the very essence of what Constructionline stands for, which is why we have adopted the new version of PAS91 as the basis of our own pre-qualification questionnaire. This means the 2,500 buyers already using Constructionline to source pre-qualified suppliers are well on their way to becomingPAS91 compliant and new suppliers are now able to use their pre-prepared PAS91 answers to join the scheme.
“What matters now is that the whole industry works collaboratively to promote the importance of PAS91 and encourages wider adoption among buyers. This will open up more opportunities to SMEs and help ensure the construction industry remains buoyant during these difficult economic times.”
Kier is among the major contractors that have also backed the revisions. “Kier fully endorses PAS91:2013 as part of our vendor prequalification,” said supply chain manager Martin Drinkall. “We are working closely with Constructionline to ensure that the burden and costs, borne by SMEs, of multiple or repeated prequalification, are greatly reduced.”
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