3.1 The Conventional Procurement Assessment Model [CPAM] (previously known as the Public Sector Comparator) represents a risk adjusted costing of the public sector's solution to an output specification produced as part of a PPP procurement process. Throughout the process, the CPAM serves as a benchmark against which the value for money of the different funding options can be assessed.
3.2 The CPAM fulfils a number of key roles:
• at the OBC stage, its development helps to ensure that the output specification against which bids are sought from the private sector can be met within the NHS body's affordability ceiling;
• on the receipt of bids from potential partners, the CPAM serves as a useful benchmark against which the value for money of such bids can be assessed;
• and at the FBC stage, the CPAM provides a comparison against which the value for money of the preferred PPP solution can be demonstrated.
3.3 This chapter looks at the development of the CPAM throughout the procurement process. It expands upon the key roles of the CPAM and outlines the issues involved in constructing a CPAM. This section must be read and considered in tandem with the Scottish Govt PPP VFM Assessment guidance.