What is a Pre Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ, SAL, VAQ)

PQQ: Pre-qualifying questionnaire, SAL: Subcontractor Approval List, VAQ: Vendor Approval questionnaires or Procurement documentation are part of the tender process. The questionnaire itself is either paper or internet based and is provided by clients and principle contractors to subcontractors in order to prove that your company have the systems in place to comply with the law, can ensure the safety of your workforce (and anyone else who may be affected by your work) and that you are able to provide a quality service.

These questionnaires are multiple page documents that require you to state your written procedure for every aspect of your business. I.e. how you provide Welfare for your operatives, health surveillance, face fit testing, risk assessing your Company’s environmental impacts, how you deal with fatigue, your policy on equality and diversity, modern slavery and human trafficking – the list goes on.

These PQQ’s generally include a standard set of questions to cover all construction activities and all contractors whether a two person team or an organisation with 150 operatives and several managers, it can be a minefield to start off with and just a chore when you have a pile of them to complete. Uxton will tailor your policy and procedure to reflect your company’s size and capabilities. Having a formal management system in place makes completing PQQ’s a lot easier and ensures that your workforce all have the same information.

Turn around for the completion of a PQQ is generally 7 days, (often much quicker) however this does depend on how quickly you return the signed policies to us and provide any additional or non-safety information required by the client i.e. copies of insurance policies etc. Please note: If your company does not meet the requirements of the client, this process may take much longer. For example if your company is not qualified or prepared to the required level.