In order to cost proposals properly, proponents will need to develop a high degree of detail in terms of their method statements and quality plans for the manner in which they intend to provide the facility and deliver the services. It is one thing to confirm that the facility will be clean at all times, but quite another to say that what that means is cleaning three/four/five times per day or whatever (with very different cost consequences). Performance Specification on its own is not enough for costing purposes. The department and program ministry also needs to know what it is getting and be satisfied on the adequacy of the services.
The proponents should provide method statements during the RFP that should demonstrate realistically how facilities are to be provided and services delivered at the required standards. The RFP should make it clear to proponents that they could, for example, offer a better service and invite discussion where:
• The standards appear undeliverable and/or unaffordable.
• Risk management needs to be considered further.
• The outputs require clarification.
There will undoubtedly be aspects of the Performance Specification that need clarification. The ITP must include processes for managing clarifications.