Balfour Beatty and Mace are among the major organisations to adopt a new prequalification standard that promises to cut paperwork for suppliers.<\/p>\n
The new Common Assessment Standard (CAS) requires suppliers to obtain just one prequalification certification before tendering for work. This represents a shift from the previous system where different clients would require different prequalifications. The need to complete multiple questionnaires costs the construction industry up to \u00a31bn, according to Build UK.<\/p>\n
Costain, Skanska and Multiplex are among the other contractors to also switch to the new standard.<\/p>\n
Construction Leadership Council co-chair Andy Mitchell said the new approach would transform the prequalification process: \u201cIt is a real and practical way of reducing bureaucracy and improving quality in the industry and it comes at just the right time. Companies will be able to demonstrate that they meet an agreed industry standard, and clients and contractors will be able to rely on the certification.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contractors and clients have been able to implement the CAS thanks to a data-sharing agreement, which allows them to obtain prequalification information from any of the three current assessment bodies: Achilles, CHAS and Constructionline, a statement from Build UK said.<\/p>\n
The CAS has been launched by Build UK in conjunction with the ECA and CECA. It has also been endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council, which is pushing for the government to adopt it for its procurement as well.<\/p>\n
ECA CSR director Paul Reeve said the new system would benefit the supply chain. \u201cData sharing paves the way for increased specification by main contractors and other buyers and offers suppliers more choice about who carries out their prequalification assessment. It will also help to deliver the savings and efficiencies that the supply chain has long been looking for, by reducing the need for multiple [pre-qualification] questionnaires and schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Build UK deputy chief Jo Fautley said the new common standard was an example of collaboration across the industry.<\/p>\n