1. Why CIAPS?
The Construction Industry Accredited Performance Scheme (CIAPS) is the first accreditation scheme and register in the construction sector that enables both clients and main contractors to select partners and suppliers by objective assessment of a company's competencies and standards, which is validated by an independent audit.

CIAPS enables a company to transparently demonstrate its attainment and adherence to a universal set of standards and competencies at pre-qualification stage, providing a competitive advantage over those companies who cannot demonstrate these same standards.

CIAPS is a flexible scheme with no obligation to progress on to those levels that do not suit a company's commercial needs. The scheme embraces all construction sectors including the professions.

CIAPS is by far the most comprehensive scheme of its kind yet established. It is unique because it has been developed by the industry for the industry.

2. How does it work?
The scheme consists of three levels because clients and main contractors require varying degrees of standards and skills from their partners and suppliers. Each level has a defined - and incremental - set of standards and competencies that enrolling companies have to meet.
As both private and public clients need simple, fast and well structured access to the company information when preparing frameworks and/or invitations to tender, the CIAPS database is web-enabled. Registered clients are able to browse, search or download company information and electronically invite responses to specific questions from individual or groups of companies. The database also allows real time updating online by companies and certification bodies.

3. What are the differences between the three levels?
CIAPS 'Listed' is designed for those involved in a supply chain as a subcontractor or supplier that need to demonstrate they have the appropriate business structure, policies together with public and employee liability insurances in place. Health & Safety policies are subject to an annual CHAS assessment.
CIAPS 'Accredited' is the scheme's 'mainstay' level. It is designed for companies that actively deal with clients and other participants in the supply chain. At this level all the information submitted at the 'Listed' level, together with CHAS and financial probity elements, is subjected to annual independent audit.
CIAPS 'Endorsed' is for those companies that want to participate in formal partnering arrangements and/or act as prime contractors or cluster group leaders in larger projects. It includes all the requirements of the previous two levels together with a competency in supply chain management, continuous improvement and benchmarking.

4. What is CIAPS 'listed'?
CIAPS 'Listed' is the base on which the scheme is built. It is the primary stage at which all the core information is collected. It gives a strong message to clients of your company's bona fides together with its management capability and business aspirations. It also provides a springboard to accreditation. There is no obligation to progress to accreditation as this step is entirely a business decision and for many companies there is no need to progress further. The 'Listed level is designed for those involved in a supply chain as a subcontractor or supplier that need to demonstrate they have the appropriate business structure, policies and key insurances in place.

5. Can anyone see all my company information?
Only basic information is initially available for inspection but full access is only given to registered bona fide clients. Permission for access to the detailed information is controlled by you by password control via the secure CIAPS website.

6. What do I need to do to become CIAPS ?Listed??
First, you need to complete a 'company information profile' online and support it by uploading the relevant documentation that underpins it. Second, you need your health & safety policy and related information assessed by CHAS. Blank CHAS forms for you to complete are available on the CIAPS website and having filled in, provided they are uploaded, CIAPS will forward them electronically to CHAS for assessment. As the CIAPS website is secure all this information is then only made available to registered website users i.e. your clients.
This level establishes the core data that enables companies to move on to the 'Accredited' level.

7. What is a 'Company information Profile'?
This is an online questionnaire that covers over 300 pieces of management information in 13 topical sections including finance; health & safety; insurance; management procedures; customer care; human resources, and technical capability. Many of the questions just require simple yes/no answers and guidance notes are adjacent to the questions.

Completing this electronic 'Company Information Profile' (CIP) may appear at first to be a lengthy procedure. In fact, its completion is straightforward and may be undertaken in manageable 'chunks'. You are not obliged to complete it at one sitting ? you can save your work at regular intervals (e.g. having completed a section) and return/reopen it later to complete further sections. However, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the whole CIP before starting to complete it.

8. How do I apply to become CIAPS 'Listed'?
CIAPS can be applied to all construction sectors and to the full spectrum of services available from the industry. You can indicate your company's interest by enrolling for any of the scheme's three levels by contacting the CIAPS secretariat by phone, email or post. The secretariat will email you information which explains all the steps and procedures.

9. How do branches and subsidiary companies join CIAPS?
The procedures for 'dealing' with branches are being reviewed. At present, incorporated subsidiary companies are treated as individual applications with full fees applying. In the case of companies with branch offices, the head office is audited annually together with a representative/proportional number of branches whereby every branch office is audited at least once every three years.

10. How long does it take to become CIAPS 'Listed'?
Typically about 8 weeks - depending on how quickly the supporting documents are uploaded.

11. How much does it cost to become CIAPS 'Listed'?
The enrolment fee for 2007 is £380 plus a £80 admin fee. test

12. How much does it cost to become CIAPS 'Listed'?
The enrolment fee for 2007 is £380 plus a £80 admin fee.

13. What is the information that I need to provide to become CIAPS 'Listed'?
Companies enrol at every level by completing a 'company information profile' electronically online and supporting it by uploading underpinning documentation. A list of the possible documents is given below -but in many cases some will not be relevant or applicable.
1. Copy of a ConstructionLine Certificate.
2. Letter issued by CHAS confirming assessment of the company's H & S Policy.
3. Completed CHAS application assessment form and relevant supporting documents.
4. Copy of the Company's Health and Safety Policy.
5. Construction Industry Scheme Registration Card.
6. Copy of Certificate of Incorporation/and any certificates regarding a change of name.
7. Copy of HM Customs and Revenue's Certificate of Registration for VAT.
8. Copy of latest audited accounts or certified statement of turnover.
9. Copy of the Company's Quality Policy Statement.
10. Company's letterhead.
11. Copy of the Company's Environmental Policy Statement.
12. Copies of Public Liability and Employer's Liability insurance certificates.
13. Copies of Professional Indemnity insurance and all risks insurance certificates and schedules.
14. Copy of method statement for recording clients complaints and their resolution.
15. Copy of the Company's Training Plan.
16. Copy of the Equal Opportunities Statement/policy .
17. A diagram of formal management structure .
18. Copy of the statement of commitment to accreditation.
19. Additional information on actions taken following any formal Environment Agency actions against the company.
20. Additional information on actions taken following any formal Trading Standards action against the company.
21. Additional information on actions taken following any formal HSE action against the company.
22. Any additional background information on any topic that the company wishes to amplify upon.

14. Can I get help to prepare this information?
CIAPS can supply basic guidance on policy statements and their preparation together with related advice. In addition, companies seeking enrolment at the accredited and endorsed levels automatically receive a visit from an advisor who will provide one-to-one guidance. Companies enrolling at the 'Listed' level may request an optional advisor visit. The 2007 visit cost is £350 per day and includes expenses.

15. How do I submit the supporting information?
CIAPS operates entirely electronically; therefore, supporting documents should be submitted/uploaded as MS Word (.doc), rich text (.rtf) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. If however, you only have the documentation in hard copy on paper, they should be scanned into .pdf format. There are numerous high street bureaus that can undertake this task.

16. Why do I need to fill in a supplementary questionnaire?
This is only necessary if you do not hold CHAS accreditation already. If you have CHAS approval then you upload your existing CHAS submission. If not then your information needs to be scrutinised by CHAS ? see question 19. The CIAPS website provides the CHAS forms which, after completion, should be uploaded with the other supporting documents. If this information has not been assessed by CHAS it will be automatically forwarded to them. If it is subsequently approved then CHAS will award you their accredited status and both the CHAS and CIAPS website will report that status accordingly.

17. What benefits does the CIAPS 'Listed' level offer me commercially?
'CIAPS 'Listed enables a company to efficiently disclose to its clients certain key information about itself and the policies by which it is managed. This provides the 'Listed' company with a competitive advantage over those companies who cannot or are unwilling to do so.
CIAPS 'Listed' exposes companies to public and private sector clients and to those main contractors that are looking to set up supply chains. Domestic clients are also able to view these companies.
CIAPS 'Listed' also confirms, for insurance purposes, that a H&S risk assessment has been undertaken.

18. Are there any other benefits from being CIAPS 'Listed'?
CIAPS 'Listed' status is regarded by many as both a first step in serious business development and a valuable marketing tool. It assists in winning financial support for company training programmes and in securing a reduction in insurance premiums.

19. Why do clients use CIAPS 'Listed' companies?
Public and larger private clients use CIAPS primarily because it helps them facilitate their risk assessments and satisfy their due diligence requirements whilst profoundly simplifying their procurement process. For domestic clients it is largely a means by which their confidence in the company can be reaffirmed.

20. What sort of clients use CIAPS 'Listed' companies?
Primarily public sector clients and main contractors. Also, to a lesser extent, the domestic client will use CIAPS as in part it qualifies companies to register with the Government's TrustMark scheme.

21. What is CHAS?
Local authority health and safety and contract professionals, supported by the Health and Safety Executive, have developed the Contractor Health and Safety (CHAS) Assessment Scheme over recent years. It is now available for any public sector organisation to use in their pre-qualification process for contractor application for approved/select list or short-listing. It provides information relating to the health and safety element of the application only.
The CHAS scheme neither claims nor sets out to be an assessment system that will ensure all contractors are fully complying with every aspect of health and safety legislation. It does however, enable the assessor to gather enough information to make an informed judgement based on the responses, the information provided and whether the contractor making the application, appears honest and open in those responses.
The CHAS scheme has established standards for contractors who employ less than 5 employees that enable them to demonstrate an understanding of their health and safety responsibilities even though they are not legally required to have them in writing.

22. Where can I get help to prepare myself for CHAS?
Assistance with H & S templates can be provided by the CIAPS. Further training courses are available throughout the country that enable companies to meet their H & S obligations more professionally. In addition, various construction H&S groups around the country offer a consultancy service to facilitate CHAS membership and limited support, including a FAQ section, is given on the CHAS website www.chas.gov.uk.

23. Do I have to make a separate application to CHAS?
Not necessarily ? CIAPS will submit the data on your behalf and what's more the cost of CHAS is included in the CIAPS enrolment fees.

24. What is CIAPS 'Accredited'?
This level builds on the CIAPS 'Listed' level by confirmation of financial probity through an annual financial check; and an audit of the supporting documentary evidence by a UKAS-accredited certification body.
This audit is in two parts. First, it verifies that the standards and requirements are fully understood, that documentary procedures are in place to meet the requirements and are being correctly operated. Second, site visits verify that the requirements and procedures are being met in a practical manner at the point of delivery to the client. Any weaknesses identified by the audit could result in failure, however, a reasonable period of time is allowed for remedial procedures to be implemented by the company.

25. What is the point of the CIAPS 'Accredited' level?
Client groups in the public and private commercial sectors are coming under increasing pressure to procure construction service on a best value basis by using integrated supply chains with proven standards and competencies. CIAPS 'Accredited' companies can not only confirm through independent audit that they have the skills and have achieved the standards required to deliver consistent best value and continuous improvement but also allow clients to monitor these critical business parameters in real time.
The CIAPS 'Accredited' level provides a single, universal industry standard to meet the objective pre-qualification requirements of its clients. Although other industry registers have sought to address various client needs, none have sought to systematically and independently accredit the information presented each year. Access to this verified information significantly reduces the risk assessments that clients are often obliged to undertake and also markedly improves a due diligence defence.

26. What is accreditation?
Accreditation is the successful outcome of an audit to a published standard (in this case the standard approved by CIAPS) by a UKAS accredited certification body operating to the EN 45011 standard.

27. What is UKAS?
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the organisation licensed by Government to accredit a certification body's competence to audit specific disciplines to a standard that has International or European recognition.

28. How much will the certification body charge for accrediting my company?
There is no specific charge as the cost is covered by the CIAPS enrolment and renewal fees. Additional costs are only incurred by you if a re-audit is required.

29. Which certification body can I use?
You may use any UKAS-accredited certification body recognised by CIAPS

30. Do I need to become CIAPS 'Listed' before becoming CIAPS 'Accredited'?
No, a company can apply to be awarded the CIAPS 'Accredited' standard from the outset. It will automatically become CIAPS 'Listed' during the time between a satisfactory submission of the documentation (including CHAS and financial probity clearance) and the completion of the audit. Only the 'Accredited' fee is charged.

31. I am already CIAPS 'Listed' - what more must I do to become CIAPS 'Accredited'?
CIAPS 'Accredited' builds on the CIAPS 'Listed' level by:-
1. confirming financial probity with an annual financial check and
2. auditing annually the supporting documentary evidence (as submitted at the 'Listed' level) by a UKAS-accredited certification body.
In some areas the auditors may ask for greater depth in the burden of proof. The facility to offer an insurance backed warranty is essential for companies serving domestic clients, otherwise it is optional.
It is also necessary to submit to a CHAS assessment prior to, and within a 6 week period of, the audit after which the annual renewals will coincide.
It is considered desirable to consult an accreditation advisor in preparation for audit, which is arranged by CIAPS. Grant aid is presently available for those in scope from ConstructionSkills, the West Midland Centre for Construction Excellence and other sources to companies undergoing formal preparation.

32. How long does it take to become CIAPS 'Accredited'?
On average it takes about 12 weeks. Companies receiving grant aid are likely to put this at risk if the accredited standard is not achieved within 26 weeks of the application date.

33. How much does it cost to become CIAPS 'Accredited'?
The initial enrolment fee for 2007 is £2400, plus a £80 administration fee.

34. Why does CIAPS 'Accredited' cost more than the CIAPS 'Listed' level?
The fee not only covers all the 'Listed' costs but also includes the certification body's costs, the financial probity fees, an advisor's visit and the provision of comprehensive related guidance.

35. What is the additional commercial benefit over CIAPS 'Listed' of becoming CIAPS 'Accredited'?
First, clients favour CIAPS 'Accredited' companies because they receive real time validation of companies' competencies confirmed by audit against the standards approved by CIAPS.
Second, clients' pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) can be completed electronically from the information held on the CIAPS database. As CIAPS only permits information, which has been validated by audit, to be drawn down for this purpose, this service is unique to CIAPS 'Accredited' companies. One immediate benefit to CIAPS 'Accredited' companies is the huge saving in time spent completing PQQs. Any amendments to the underpinning information can be made online and take effect immediately.
Third, insurers can have a confirmed risk assessment that the company's liabilities have been fulfilled.
Finally, CIAPS 'Accredited' companies have a unique platform for promoting their high level competencies.

36. What is TrustMark?
TrustMark is a scheme largely for the benefit of domestic clients. It is based around a set of Government-endorsed standards for trade associations, certification bodies and other organisations that wish to become approved scheme operators. Only approved scheme operators are allowed to award the TrustMark to registered firms.

37. Can I become registered with TrustMark via CIAPS'?
The requirements of TrustMark are virtually the same as CIAPS 'Accredited' but the facility to offer an insurance backed warranty is obligatory.
BM Trada, who is a certification body approved by CIAPS, is a TrustMark scheme operator. Therefore, it is anticipated that CIAPS 'Accredited' companies will be able to gain the TrustMark via a supplementary application to BM Trada.

38. How much does it cost to become 'TrustMarked'?
It is up to each TrustMark scheme operator to decide whether and how to pass on the cost of belonging to TrustMark as part of its fees charged to registered firms. However, it is expected that in most cases the additional charge for TrustMark registration will be minimal. The details of this are available from BM Trada.

39. What is CIAPS 'Endorsed'?
After becoming CIAPS 'Accredited', companies may progress to become CIAPS 'Endorsed' by completing additional high level programmes. Two of these programmes are obligatory - collaborative working/supply chain management skills and continuous improvement/benchmarking. The supply chain programme equips the company with the necessary understanding of the principles, tools and techniques for collaboration to streamline costs, increase efficiency and provide better value and service to clients. Involvement in a benchmarking programme that uses the DTI's 'Benchmark' database of key business performance indicators enables the company to measure its performance against its peers. Action plans are developed to address areas in the company open to improvement and, by applying the 'Business Excellence' model, continuous improvement is expected to follow.

40. What is the purpose of the CIAPS 'Endorsed' level?
The value comes from establishing the ability to deliver high quality work to time and to agreed cost, along with a commitment to continuous improvement. Most contracting firms have systems and processes that have been introduced to achieve just this. However, there is little integration or commonality between standards that support partnering. In addition, the absence hitherto of a means by which companies at all levels can readily demonstrate a consistency of approach, methodology and partnering culture has led to increased costs for the supply side. These increased cost result from having to respond to a variety of overlapping questionnaires and inadequate registration schemes.

41. What are the extra benefits of CIAPS 'Endorsed' over CIAPS 'Accredited'?
CIAPS is a flexible scheme with no obligation to progress on to those levels that do not suit a company's commercial needs.
The 'Endorsed' level is for companies who want to take their place in partnering arrangements through roles as prime contractors or cluster group leaders in larger projects. By becoming CIAPS 'Endorsed' companies can demonstrate that they aspire to and have achieved the highest levels of understanding and expertise in specific disciplines.

42. How much does it cost to become CIAPS 'Endorsed'?
The initial enrolment fee for 2007 is £6100, plus a £80 administration fee.

43. Why does CIAPS 'Endorsed' cost more than the CIAPS 'Accredited' level?
The fee not only covers all the 'accredited' costs but also includes the costs of the two obligatory advanced level modules/programmes which, in total, span over 20 weeks duration.

44. Who delivers the supply chain management and benchmarking activities?
These activities are currently organised and administered on behalf of CIAPS by NFB Training, EvolutionIP, Wentworth Consulting, Knowles Management, CCI and WMCCE. CIAPS recognises programmes provided for the advanced modules by other training providers/professional bodies.

45. Will any new disciplines be added at the CIAPS 'Endorsed' level?
There are no plans to extend coverage at present but the CIAPS Governance Board is due to consider consolidating this level in the future to cover disciplines such as sustainability and environmental management.

46. How is CIAPS governed?
CAPS, the industry's first accreditation scheme, originated in 2003 as a policy initiative by the NFB. In 2006, having secured the recognition of other industry organisations and the approval of ConstructionSkills, together with positive responses from a range of client groups in the public sector, the NFB chose to pass the scheme to the industry.
In March 2007, the Construction Industry Accredited Performance Scheme (CIAPS) was established to provide an industry-governed, objective set of standards supported by a web enabled database that includes a statistical analysis facility. It is a service developed for the industry by the industry i.e. both clients and suppliers alike and incorporates the NFB developed (CAPS) scheme.
The scheme's Governance Board has two core responsibilities viz. to direct the development and promotion of the scheme and to set the standards.

47. Who sets the standards in the CIAPS scheme?
The standards are set by the CIAPS Governance Board in close consultation with industry. The overarching policy of CIAPS regarding the setting of standards has been to use, whenever possible, the accepted standard that exists within the industry e.g. for Health & Safety to use CHAS/ISO 18000 and for customer quality and environmental management to use ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 respectively. This has the added benefit that CIAPS compliance acts as a business improvement tool, helping consolidate best practice principles and achieving greater productivity and profitability.

48. What is the CIAPS year?
CIAPS operates on a calendar enrolment year

49. Why do I need to renew my membership each year?
In reality re-enrolment is merely an administrative formality but by so doing it does mean that:-

Every company checks its 'company information profile' submission to CIAPS at least once a year to ensue the information supplied is the latest available. The re-enrolment process is electronic and the company information profile does not require completing in full again because the system assumes that the original information is correct. The only action needed is to update those sections where changes have occurred.

At the CIAPS 'Listed' level the CHAS assessment and financial probity review is annual. Similarly at Accreditation/Endorsed level the annual compliance audit needs commissioning.

50. What are the annual renewal fees?
The following pricing structure (ex VAT) applies from 1 January 2007 onwards.
Listed Accredited Endorsed
Renewal £225 £1150 £2000
Payment can be made by cheque or BACS. A debit or credit card facility is under development. Proforma optional invoices can be supplied on request. The initial admin fee is not payable on renewals.

51. How can I update the information I have already submitted?
Companies may at any time review their information and submit an electronically amended company information profile. An electronic company information profile will be mailed out annually, providing a reminder and the functionality to enable the company to update its data.

52. Who runs the IT technology that underpins the CIAPS scheme?
CIAPS recognises that company information must be made available with the utmost care and integrity. Therefore, the scheme's underpinning database and website are of the highest secure specification and are designed to make company participation easy and client use straightforward. Designing and hosting the new database was awarded to TLR Ltd who currently operate similar accreditation databases in the defence, agriculture and food industries.

53. How does CIAPS compare with other registers?
CIAPS provides a single, universal industry standard to meet the objective pre-qualification requirements of procuring clients. Other industry registers seek to address various client needs, not all of which have sought the annual and systematic independent accreditation of the information presented which significantly reduces the risk assessments that procuring clients are often obliged to undertake and also markedly improves their due diligence defence.

54. Does CIAPS appear in ConstructionLine CLik?
Information on the whole scheme, including the three tiers in detail, is to be submitted for inclusion. It is anticipated that this will occur in mid 2007.

55. How will clients inspect the information I have provided?
A key feature of CIAPS is its 'state of the art' web-enabled secure database that procuring clients may register for free access. There are two levels of access open to clients. The first is a low level simple 'search and contact' facility that is open to any enquirer. The second, higher level, which allows a client to compare companies' complete portfolios and download information as required, is restricted to clients that have specifically registered. As the website has very intuitive navigation the resultant savings in administrative burden for clients such as local authorities are profound and substantial cost savings may be realised.

56. How do clients register with CIAPS?
Clients are able to access the CIAPS database via the website but the initial level of access is limited. To gain access to all the participating companies' information it is necessary to become a 'registered' client or user.

57. How does CIAPS help public sector clients?
The CIAPS database is totally web-enabled because public clients need simple, fast and well structured access to the company information when preparing frameworks and/or invitations to tender. Clients are able to browse, search or download company information and, electronically invite responses to specific questions from individual or groups of companies.
The CIAPS database also allows real time updating online by companies and certification bodies. There are two levels of access open to clients. The first is a simple 'search and contact' facility. The second level allows a 'registered' client or user to compare companies' complete portfolios and download information as required. As the website has very intuitive navigation the resultant savings in administrative burden are profound and substantial cost savings may be secured.

58. How does CIAPS help 'major contractor' clients?
CIAPS also enables principal contractors to quickly establish integrated supply chains based on an objective register by meeting the need for objective risk assessment of potential supply chain partners and removing the hassle of verifying in-house sub-contractor lists.
The CIAPS database is totally web-enabled because contractors need simple, fast and well structured access to the company information when preparing supply chains and responding to frameworks and/or invitations to tender.