Roy Casey, the BCCEC Chairman, gave a presentation on the new Specification for Construction Pre Qualification Questionnaires, PAS91:2010 released late in October 2010.

The Publically Available Specification (PAS), is supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and was developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The specification is intended to provide a logically structured protocol incorporating what is currently recognised by experts in the field as good practice in the provision of pre-qualification services.

The main aim of this specification is to reduce the amount of wasteful Pre Qualification processes that the Construction Industry adopts. The National Specialist Contractors Council has estimated that the cost to the industry and its Clients of wasteful pre qualification processes is approximately £250 Million per annum.

So the Specification should be able to educate the less experienced PQQ practitioners, illuminate a pathway for the knowledgeable and save procurement costs.

However, as Roy went through the specification, section by section, highlighting concerns that he and others have had it became clear that standardising, custom and practice, to produce a one size fits all document, is not for the faint hearted.

The major concerns are listed below.

• Government has mandated it’s use on Central Government funded projects but to date no move has been made to impose it on local Government which the National Federation of Builders says falls short of the Government action necessary for it to have its intended effect.
• sceptical view as to whether or not PAS91 could achieve what was being sought by the drafting parties of the standard.
• Several of the main contractors present at the event indicated that they would not be adopting PAS91 alongside their own existing supply chain selection procedures, although one did advise that they would be early adopters to trial its success.

After discussion and questions the general consensus among the audience was that nobody in construction could afford to ignore the standard and that everyone should prepare a standard PAS91 response ready for use when needed.

For anyone wishing to obtain a free pdf copy of , PAS91:2010 they should visit www.bis.gov.uk or www.shop.bsigroup.com

In addition, Roy advised the audience that the draft standard “BS8534: Construction procurement policies, strategies and procedures – Code of Practice” which provides guidance to procurement organizations on how to go about procuring construction works will also influence future procurement.

The standard is currently out for public comment until the end of April and invited Club members and guests to make their views known online.