Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 has been replaced by PPN 03/24.
Please refer to our guide to PPN 03/24 for updated procurement policies for contracting in the public sector.
A recent Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 now requires all contracting authorities in the public sector to align their supply chains with more thorough risk management standards. SSIP accreditation alone is no longer sufficient for most government contracts; contractors looking to win work in the public sector should now highlight compliance with the Common Assessment Standard (CHAS Elite) to remain competitive.
The revised PPN is a move that officially adopts a recommendation outlined in the report Constructing the Gold Standard — an independent review of public sector construction frameworks in 2021 by the Centre of Construction Law at King’s College London. It is also a response to calls from construction industry players asking the government to update PPN 08/16 by supporting a standardised selection questionnaire (SQ).
The Constructing the Gold Standard report notes that stakeholders have suggested clients and framework providers use a standardised system — such as the Common Assessment Standard — to save contractors from having to answer new and redundant questions to demonstrate risk management compliance (particularly when it comes to the assessment of economic and financial standing).
In response to feedback on PPN 08/16, the government has revised the statutory guidance and standard selection questions. These changes include:
- Introduction of health and safety questions
- Introduction of data protection questions
- Introduction of additional requirements for modern slavery and clarity on handling responses to questions on the Modern Slavery Act (as outlined in PPN 02/23)
- Introduction of questions related to reducing carbon emissions
- Introduction of updated payment questions.
PPN 03/23 also states that for work contracts involving the procurement of mixed contracts — including suppliers and services — contracting authorities should use the Common Assessment Standard in place of the standard SQ template when prequalifying bidders.
What Is The Common Assessment Standard?
Developed by Build UK, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and key stakeholders in the construction and built environment sector, the Common Assessment Standard is an industry-accepted accreditation programme that replaces multiple assessment schemes with a single comprehensive and standardised prequalification questionnaire (PQQ).
Related Reading: What Is The Common Assessment Standard?
Soft-launched in 2019, the Common Assessment Standard builds on the foundation of existing PQQs, streamlining a complex, costly, repetitive system of assessments. It also enables contractors in the construction industry to gain certification that covers compliance in 13 areas of risk management:
- Identity
- Financial
- Insurance
- Corporate and Professional Standing
- Health and Safety Management
- Environmental
- Quality
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Information Security
- Information Management
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption
- Modern Slavery.
Canary Wharf Contractors (a subsidiary of Canary Wharf Group) is just one of the growing number of Build UK members that have adopted the Common Assessment Standard. Ben Fidler, Supply Chain Manager at Canary Wharf Group, explains that the ability to reduce risk, PQQ duplication and administration internally and externally allows the company to drive supply chain efficiencies. The firm joins the likes of Balfour Beatty, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska and VolkerWessels UK, among others — all of whom use the Common Assessment Standard to standardise contractor prequalification.
Gain The Common Assessment Standard With CHAS
CHAS has assessed thousands of contractors under CHAS Elite, which includes SSIP, PAS 91 and the Common Assessment Standard accreditation.
“CHAS has been a vigorous supporter of the Common Assessment Standard from its inception, so we’re delighted to see it incorporated into public procurement guidance,” says CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon.
“Not only is it great news for the many contractors who have already achieved the Common Assessment Standard with CHAS Elite — as they will have access to an even wider range of work — but it also provides those who are not yet qualified with even a greater incentive to embrace the scheme,” he adds.
Apart from being certified against the Common Assessment Standard, CHAS members also have access to a growing bank of exclusive CHAS benefits, ranging from discounted training courses and free legal advice to discounted rates for services such as Speedy Hire and Checkatrade.com.
Related Reading: How To Get Common Assessment Standard Certification
The Common Assessment Standard: A CHAS Guide for Easy Completion
Read our guide to find out more about:
– Benefits of getting certified against the Common Assessment Standard
– The modules and different areas of risk management covered
– How to become certified against the Common Assessment Standard with CHAS Elite
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Other Updates To The Common Assessment Standard
Build UK has also released an updated version of its guidance for the Common Assessment Standard in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Version 3.1 of the Common Assessment Standard Question Set includes a new question (i.e., question 217) that determines whether construction supply chains are dealing with any individuals or organisations covered by the UK Sanctions List. Contractors must now confirm whether they “trade directly or knowingly have direct association with any regimes, entities or individuals subject to any sanctions detailed in the UK Sanctions List.”
Related Reading: Does My Business Need The Common Assessment Standard?
Build UK reviews the Common Assessment Standard annually to ensure that it meets the changing standards and needs of the construction industry. The dedicated Common Assessment Standard Review Group has already received suggestions for changes in areas such as building safety and sustainability.
Now Is The Time To Get The Common Assessment Standard Accreditation
As the selection questions covered by the Common Assessment Standard becomes an official standard in public sector procurement, now is the perfect time for contractors of all sizes to consider gaining the Common Assessment Standard through CHAS.
PPN 03/23 also encourages clients and larger contractors to specify the Common Assessment Standard when searching for suitably qualified contractors to add to their supply chains. As a CHAS Client, you can search our network of 32,500+ prequalified contractors with SSIP, PAS 91 and Common Assessment Standard certification. You’ll also get access to the CHAS Client Portal — our all-in-one online dashboard where clients can view their supply chains and look for contractors by compliance level and/or area.
Check CHAS Insights for more guidance and information about the Common Assessment Standard. You can also read our Common Assessment Standard guidance or speak to one of our CHAS advisors to learn more about the benefits of gaining certification. Sign up and become a CHAS Elite member to demonstrate compliance with SSIP, PAS 91 and Common Assessment Standard guidelines.
Achieve the Industry’s highest recognised accreditation, backed by Build UK & CECA with CHAS Elite
The Common Assessment Standard streamlines the construction supply chain and makes it easier for companies to achieve compliance and gain accreditation.
