What to include in a prequalification document (PQD) in the UAE
A UAE contractor PQD usually brings together ten items: your trade licence, VAT registration certificate, company profile, organisation chart, CVs of key staff, manpower summary, plant and equipment list, completed and ongoing projects, HSE and QA policies, and the certificates you hold. If the client or consultant sends its own form or list, follow that first, in the order it asks for. Use the ten sections below as an outline for your own prequalification document rather than as a fill-in template.
What a PQD is, and what it is not
A pre-qualification document (PQD) is the set of company information a contractor submits so a client or consultant can decide whether to invite it to tender. It is not the tender itself: there is no price and no technical proposal for a specific job yet. Its job is to show that your company is licensed, organised and resourced for the kind of work being procured.
A company profile is one part of a PQD. For the difference between the documents, see company profile vs technical proposal and our contractor PQD service.
The ten sections most UAE PQDs ask for
Every client and consultant sets their own list, and their instructions always come first. These are the items usually requested, with what to put in each.
1. Trade licence
A current copy of your trade licence, with the legal name, licence number, licensing authority and activities. Every other document in the PQD should use the same legal name and stay within these activities.
2. VAT registration certificate
If your company is registered for VAT, include the certificate so the client can match your tax registration number to your legal name.
3. Company profile
A short introduction to who you are, what you are licensed to do, your services, your capacity and how to reach you. It is the part of the PQD most readers see first; see contractor PQD for how we prepare it.
4. Organisation chart
Your management structure and reporting lines, from the owner or general manager down to site supervision. Use the job titles your team actually holds.
5. CVs of key staff
Short CVs for the people the client will deal with, such as the project manager, site engineer, HSE officer and QA/QC lead, with qualifications listed only as held.
6. Manpower summary
Headcount by trade or role, for example engineers, supervisors, technicians and labour, as of the date you submit. Keep the figures consistent with the organisation chart.
7. Plant and equipment list
Equipment and vehicles you own or can provide, with type and quantity. If some items are hired, say so; clients read this list to judge capacity.
8. Completed and ongoing projects
A project list with project type, location, scope, value or size if you choose to share it, and dates. Name clients and projects only where you have permission.
9. HSE and QA policies
Your health and safety policy and quality policy, and how you apply them on site. Summarise what you have in place; don’t describe procedures you don’t follow.
10. Certificates you hold
ISO or other certificates, approvals and memberships issued to your company, each current and named exactly as on the certificate. Leave out anything you don’t hold.
How to put the PQD together
- Follow the client’s order. Use the client’s section names and numbering, and add an index page if the PQD is long.
- Keep one legal name. The name, licence number and activities should match across the licence, the company profile, the CVs and any portal entries.
- Use current documents. Check expiry dates on the licence and certificates before you submit.
- Show only what you can support. Projects, certificates and staff qualifications should all be backed by your own records.
- Send a file that opens easily. A web PDF is easier to email, upload to a portal or share on WhatsApp; keep a print-ready PDF for hard copies.
Gathering the information first saves time. Our company profile information checklist covers the details most PQDs also need, and the vendor registration checklist covers registering on government and corporate portals.
What we prepare, and what stays with your team
We write and design the company profile and the narrative pages, the organisation chart, manpower and plant tables, key staff summaries, the project list and an HSE and QA summary, in English, Arabic or both, using only the documents and facts you send. Your licence, certificates, policies and the client’s own form, declarations and final submission stay with your team. We do not verify certificates or financials, and we do not add anything you haven’t confirmed.
Packages: Starter AED 150 (4 pages, one language), Essential AED 450 (6 pages per language), Professional AED 850 (8 pages per language, 3 working days after full intake) and Premium AED 1,500 (8–10 pages per language, wording tailored to one specific tender). No VAT is added. Launch offer: 20% off any package for our first 5 clients (add-ons at standard prices). Want to see a finished layout first? See the Cedarline Contracting sample (fictional).
PQD FAQs
Is a PQD the same as a company profile?
No. A company profile is one part of a PQD. The PQD adds the details a client or consultant uses to shortlist contractors, such as the organisation chart, manpower, plant and equipment, projects and HSE/QA information.
What if the client sends its own pre-qualification form?
Follow it. The client’s own form, questionnaire or list of required sections always comes first, in the order it asks for. Use the sections on this page to prepare the supporting documents it refers to.
Do we need ISO certificates to submit a PQD?
That depends on the client’s requirements, so check the form or invitation. Whatever you submit, include only certificates your company actually holds and that are current.
How much does it cost to have a PQD prepared?
With us, a PQD is available in every package, from AED 150 (Starter: 4 pages in one language). Premium (AED 1,500) is the full tender-ready option, with 8–10 pages per language and wording tailored to one specific tender. No VAT is added.
Preparing a PQD? Send your trade licence details and your client’s requirements on WhatsApp, and we’ll confirm which package fits. More on contractor sectors: contracting and fit-out company profiles and maintenance and MEP company profiles.
Ready to start your PQD?
Packages run from AED 150 to AED 1,500, with no VAT added. Delivery times start after full intake.
WhatsApp or call +971 52 788 1408. We’re based in Abu Dhabi and work with companies across the UAE online.