Short answer: a useful prequalification review covers legal identity, insurance, workforce competence, health and safety arrangements, operational capacity, financial standing, information control and evidence relevant to the proposed package. The aim is not to collect logos. It is to determine whether the subcontractor is suitable for this scope, programme and site.

Prequalification should be proportionate. A small alteration and a multi-zone commercial installation do not create the same delivery risk. Begin with the package information and decide what evidence is relevant before issuing the questionnaire.

Company and commercial information

  1. Company identityConfirm the legal entity, registered details, trading address, key contacts and who would hold the subcontract.
  2. InsuranceRequest current Employers' Liability and Public Liability certificates, policy limits, expiry dates and any project-specific requirements.
  3. Financial standingApply the contractor's normal financial checks and consider whether the proposed package is proportionate to the subcontractor's capacity.
  4. Supply-chain profilesWhere relevant, check current supplier profiles directly. A profile supports due diligence but does not replace project-specific review.

Competence and site delivery

  1. Operative competenceCheck CSCS cards and task or access competency for the people likely to attend site, not only a general company statement.
  2. SupervisionIdentify the proposed supervisor, communication route and arrangements for briefing, monitoring and escalating site issues.
  3. RAMS processAsk when project-specific RAMS will be prepared, what information is needed and how documents will be updated if conditions change.
  4. CapacityDiscuss proposed labour, current commitments and whether access or workface constraints limit the value of adding more operatives.

Package controls to discuss

  • Drawing and specification revision control.
  • Inclusions, exclusions and responsibility for materials.
  • Access equipment, unloading, storage and vertical transport.
  • Interfaces with structure, ceilings, electrical, fire and other services.
  • Progress records, technical queries and variation instructions.
  • Snagging, photographs and handover information where included.

Use the checklist alongside a scope comparison. Our guide to choosing a ventilation subcontractor covers the project questions that sit behind the documents. For safety planning, see what ventilation RAMS should contain.

Cliventa information available for review

Cliventa can provide current evidence relevant to a suitable procurement review, including £10m Employers' Liability and £5m Public Liability insurance, CSCS-carded site operatives, IPAF or PASMA competency where required, a Constructionline profile and a Public Contracts Scotland supplier profile. Evidence should be requested and checked as part of the live prequalification process.