Pre-qualification

Getting checked and approved before contracts are offered. Firms that pre-qualify join a list, panel or framework and are then invited to compete for the work that comes later.

Also called: Prequal, PQQ

Related terms

Supplier list

Any list of pre-approved suppliers a buyer invites to compete, such as a framework, panel, standing offer or vendor roster. Many IT contracts are only open to firms already on a list.

Framework agreement

An umbrella agreement with a set of approved suppliers, under which public buyers later award contracts without a full tender each time. Getting on a framework is often the only way into recurring IT work.

Standing offer

A Canadian arrangement where a supplier agrees to provide goods or services at set prices when asked, for a set period. It is not a contract until the buyer issues a call-up.