FIS has, since it’s outset supported the introduction of the Common Assessment Standard.  This new approach was launched in 2019 by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association following concerns that the proliferation of suppliers and duplication of effort and support associated with pre-qualification schemes.  Through it’s introduction, the claim was that this approach will help the industry to £1bn by eradicating duplicate fees and inefficiencies.

The overall impact, whilst positive (over 22,000 companies now have the accreditation and a growing number of companies have formally adopted use)  has not met the ambition and for this reason FIS is adding a Common Assessment call to action to the Responsible No campaign.  Underpinning why this is important FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:

“The Responsible No isn’t about digging our heels in, but starting to identify and address behaviours and processes that are barriers to better.  This is a clear example of that.  The waste here in fees and time is obvious, we have collectively agreed as an industry a better approach and implemented a new standard to do this.  We all need to do our bit in helping to raise awareness and normalise this new approach.  The reality is we can’t blame people for not doing stuff they may not know about or understand – this is all about helping to identify and explain why something is an Irresponsible Ask.

This is a particularly important time for this intervention with the use of PQQs being linked to new requirements for Organisational Capability enshrined in the Building Regulations and the potential for further proliferation as businesses look for angles to make more money rather than support a collective effort.”

To support this effort, FIS have prepared new guidance on the Common Assessment Standard for members and also a template email to recommend adoption on projects where a particular Pre Qualification scheme is listed as required.  Where there is continued resistance to adoption, FIS has also set up a whistleblowing process to enable members to help FIS identify any resistance so that this can be understood and hopefully addressed moving forward.

Finally FIS is asking members to help take stock of where we are now at in terms of impact of the Common Assessment Standard by completing the FIS Pre Qualification Impact Survey here.  Information will be used to support this collective effort and to help deliver change.

The FIS Common Assessment Standard Toolkit is available here

You can find more information on the FIS Responsible No Campaign here