3.4 At the OBC stage, the CPAM serves as a control against the tendering of an unaffordable project and provides a benchmark against which value for money aspects of PPP bids will be assessed.
3.5 The CPAM represents the NHS body's best estimate of what it would cost the public sector to fund the preferred option.
3.6 During this stage of procurement, the key task for project managers is to ensure that the CPAM reflects the scope of the preferred option and that it is fully costed inclusive of risk estimates appropriate for this stage. Project managers should ensure that the CPAM is tailored to the same output specification - both in terms of timing, quality and quantity - as that to be used throughout the PPP procurement.
3.7 Paragraphs 3.8 to 3.15 outline the principles upon which project managers should cost the CPAM and the level of detail that they should consider. Paragraphs 3.16 to 3.18 outline how they should present the CPAM in the OBC and the basis for its possible inclusion in the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD).