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Contractor Pre-Qualification Advice

Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (otherwise known as PQQs) have a bit of a reputation for being a pain, but they don’t have to be that bad – not with us by your side.

The pain points

PQQs take time. They need to tell the recipient about your team’s training and experience. They need to showcase your Health & Safety, quality and environmental standards. They need to cover your financial, legal and insurance details. And most importantly, they need to win you business.

The snag? All of that takes up valuable time and resource. And all without guarantee of securing the project at the end – enter Citation.

Helping businesses write winning PPQs is one of our most popular services. Our experts have mastered the art of PQQs and proven they’ve got the ingredients for success time and time again.

We’ll let you know exactly what’s required. We’ll help you complete the forms quickly and effectively. And we’ll be on hand – 24/7 – to answer any questions.

What’s a PQQ?

PQQs are used by organisations as a way of assessing the suitability of potential businesses before they agree to take out their product or service.

In some cases, businesses will go up against each other in a bid to secure a single project. However, in others, PQQs help organisations to build up a trusted list of suppliers and/or contractors. The latter helps organisations by giving them a pool of people to call on at short notice, without the hassle of having to repeatedly assess their fit.

 

The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

The PQQ itself will ask for information on anything from accidents and asbestos to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and portable electrical equipment. In each section, you’ll be asked to provide supporting evidence to back up what you’re saying.

To give you a flavour of the type of topics you’ll be asked about in the questionnaire, here’s a broad overview:

AccidentsAsbestosHealth surveillance
Work equipmentPersonal Protective EquipmentPortable electrical equipment
Manual handlingFirst aidFire
TrainingMonitoring, audits and reviewsConsultation
Risk assessmentsMethod statementsConstruction phase plans
Sub-contractingWorking at height. 

For a more in-depth look at PQQs, check out our free guide on them here.

SMAS and CHAS

Contractor Health and Safety Scheme (CHAS) and Safety Management Services (SMAS) accreditation are great ways to boost your PQQ.

SMAS

In a nutshell, SMAS Worksafe accreditation adds value by showing your business’ dedication to high standards of Health & Safety. So, how does this benefit your PQQ? Because it gives you an edge over your competition and, after all, everyone wants to team up with someone that’s demonstrably safe, right?

CHAS

Similarly, CHAS accreditation also rubber stamps your business as one that takes Health & Safety very seriously. More importantly though, it tells anyone considering your company to complete specialist work that your culture, infrastructure and dedication to continual improvement is guaranteed.

As with SMAS, this gives you a tangible advantage over competitors who might not have it, which can only benefit your PQQ.

In addition to their wooing benefits, SMAS and CHAS accreditation can save you valuable time and money during the PQQ process. How? Because instead of evidencing you’re competent over and over again, you can save time by simply handing over your certificate(s).

How we can help

When it comes to PPQs, we’re the pros. Whether you need a step-by-step guide through the questionnaire, help gaining accreditation or setting up safe working practices – and everything else in between, we’ve got the expertise your business needs. We provide Health & Safety services for Manchester businesses and SMEs across the UK.

For more information on how we can help you rustle up winning PPQs time and time again, contact us using the form on this page.

Get more information

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Useful information on how to govern your construction projects.

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Your very own FREE Health & Safety handbook template.

Health & Safety checklist

Your free Health & Safety checklist to make sure your business is ready to be inspected – especially your devices and equipment.

Why choose Citation?

HR Experts you can trust

Our team of of HR experts are all highly qualified, so you can trus you’re always getting trustworthy advice and insights.

Plus, you’ll be covered by our advice guarantee for the duration of your contract.

Experience you can rely on

From care to construction and nurseries to manufacturing, we’ve worked in all sectors, helping futureproof businesses with proactive compliance for over 25 years.

With you anytime, anywhere 

Our human resources consultants work up and down the country. Wherever you are, you’re never far from help and there’s always someone who can help.

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