Answer

The Global Questionnaires screen allows buyers to search, view, and request access to questionnaires (such as the SAQ) completed by suppliers across the platform. When requesting access, buyers can proceed via three paths depending on payment ownership: Gratis (zero-cost because the supplier has already paid), Buyer Pays, or Supplier Pays.

Background

The Global Questionnaires screen enables seamless sharing of verified sustainability assessments across multiple organisations without requiring suppliers to complete duplicate questionnaires.

Understanding the "Gratis" Status:
When a supplier takes ownership and purchases their questionnaire assessment, a "Gratis" badge (accompanied by a crown icon) appears on the questionnaire tile.
For buyers, "Gratis" means zero cost: no credits or payment fees are required to request access and view the supplier's verified questionnaire and score.

Request & Payment Paths:
When requesting access to an existing questionnaire from the Global Questionnaires screen, the workflow follows one of three routes:

1. Gratis (Supplier-Owned):
- Applicable when the supplier has already paid for the questionnaire.
- The buyer can request and gain immediate access at no cost to the buyer.

2. Buyer Pays:
- The buyer elects to cover the questionnaire fee.
- Once payment is confirmed by the buyer, the share request is processed.

3. Supplier Pays:
- The buyer initiates the access request but selects the supplier to bear the cost.
- The supplier receives a notification/action alert to accept and purchase the questionnaire before full access is granted to the buyer.

Statuses & Expired Access:
Status Indicators: Questionnaires on the Global tab typically display as "Available" or "Requested" (if a share request has been sent and is awaiting supplier acceptance).
Expired Access: If your organisation's access to a previously shared questionnaire expires, it automatically returns to the Global Questionnaires tab with an "Expired" label so you can easily locate and re-request access when needed.

Steps

To search and request a questionnaire from Global Questionnaires:

1. Sign in to your NQC account as a buyer/manager.
2. From the navigation menu, go to Global Questionnaires.
3. Use the search bar and filter criteria (e.g. organisation name, location, status, or Expired) to find the desired questionnaire.
4. Review the questionnaire tile:
   • If marked with Gratis (crown icon), the supplier has already funded the assessment and access is completely free of charge.
   • If not marked as Gratis, you will be prompted to select a payment option when requesting access.
   
   


5. Click Request Access (or Share) on the questionnaire tile.


6. If prompted for payment responsibility, choose either:
   
   • Buyer Pays: Complete payment using your organisation's account credits or billing details.
   • Supplier Pays: Send a request to the supplier to fund and release the assessment.
   
   


7. Once the request is accepted and payment is fulfilled, the questionnaire will move to your active dashboard view under Supplier Questionnaires.