PAS 91:2017 and the Common Assessment Standard
What is PAS91?
PAS 91 is a prequalification questionnaire (PQQ) system comprising a set of standardised question modules on core criteria essential to prequalification for construction tendering.
Developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI), the PAS91 PQQ modules provide a universally applicable system of assessing the capability of suppliers. These question modules allow clients to determine the suitability of potential contractors for projects based on their compliance across several core areas of risk management.
PAS91 covers the following modules:
- Module C1: Supplier Identity
- Module C2: Financial Information
- Module C3: Business & Professional Standing
- Module C4: Health & Safety [module exemption in SSIP certification is held]
- Module 01: Equal Opportunity & Diversity
- Module 02: Environmental Management
- Module 03: Quality Management
- Module 04: Building information modeling [BIM]
To ensure CQMS’ PAS91 product remains valid the following modules are included in our PAS91+ product:
- Bribery and Corruption
- Modern Slavery
Sign up to "CQMS Safety Scheme Advanced" to achieve PAS91+ compliance.
PAS91 recognises existing certifications therefore if you hold existing certifications from other SSIP Member Schemes or UKAS Accredited Certification Bodies CQMS will factor in these certifications and help you to complete a reduced question set to gain PAS91 compliance.
What is the Common Assessment Standard?
The Common Assessment Standard [CAS] is an accreditation designed to standardise the prequalification process, helping both clients and contractors improve supply chain efficiency and reduce supply chain risks.
The Common Assessment Standard builds on the PAS 91 prequalification questionnaire, helping contractors achieve compliance and mitigate risks across 10 areas.
- Section 1: Identity
- Section 2: Financial
- Section 3: Corporate and Professional Standing
- Section 4: Health and Safety [module exemption in SSIP certification is held]
- Section 5: Environmental
- Section 6: Quality
- Section 7: Building Safety
- Section 8: Fairness, Inclusion & Respect [FIR]
- Section 9: Information Security
- Section 10: Information Management (IM)
There are two levels of CAS certification: desktop and site-based. A desktop audit will involve CQMS verifying the information against the desktop assessment standard remotely. A site-based audit will involve an auditor from CQMS visiting the company’s premises to verify the implementation of the policies and procedures submitted against the site-based assessment standard. For companies that employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover below £1.8 million or a balance sheet totalling less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards are applied proportionately.
Companies that have the Common Assessment Standard are certified once a year by a Recognised Assessment Body which is accepted by a growing list of Contractors and Clients who no longer specify a particular assessment body.
The July 2024 revision of the CAS includes a new Building Safety section ensuring that the CAS can be used to demonstrate that companies have the ‘organisational capability’ to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act. At present (July 2024) the Building Safety questions have been designated as ‘advisory’ and a company does not have to complete these advisory questions to achieve the Common Assessment Standard.
Sign up for "CQMS Safety Scheme Premium" to achieve CAS compliance
The CAS recognises existing certifications therefore if you hold existing certifications from other SSIP Member Schemes or UKAS Accredited Certification Bodies CQMS will factor in these certifications and help you to complete a reduced question set to gain CAS compliance.
For details on how to transfer your CAS data between Recognised Assessment Bodies please read more.
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