UK Procurement Glossary
Selection Questionnaire (SQ)
A standardised UK public sector questionnaire used to assess supplier eligibility, financial standing and technical capability before they progress to the tender stage.
Definition
The Selection Questionnaire (SQ) is the UK's standardised supplier qualification questionnaire, used in restricted procedure and framework procurements. It covers exclusion grounds (mandatory and discretionary), economic and financial standing, technical and professional ability, insurances, accreditations and (often) modern slavery and security declarations.
SQs replaced the older PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire) format and now follow Procurement Act 2023 templates. Pass/fail criteria mean a weak answer in any compulsory section can disqualify a supplier from the next stage.
How this affects your bid
Build a reusable SQ master answer library — most questions repeat across procurements. Update it whenever your insurance, accreditations or financial accounts change. A current, well-evidenced SQ master saves dozens of hours per year.
Common questions about selection questionnaire (sq)
Is the SQ the same across all UK public sector buyers?
Largely yes — the Cabinet Office mandates a standardised SQ for above-threshold central government procurements. Sub-central buyers (councils, NHS) may adapt slightly but use the same core structure.
What was the PQQ?
PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire) was the predecessor to the SQ, used until standardisation efforts produced the current SQ format. Functionally equivalent — assess supplier qualification before tender.
Related terms
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