6.5 The output specifications for the facilities and services for which participants are expected to submit proposals will cover the NHSScotland body's requirements for objectives, outputs or outcomes. They will also cover the minimum quality and performance standards on which the Conventional Procurement Assessment Model ("CPAM") is based. Output specifications will also be required for services (both clinical and non-clinical) which will continue to be provided by the NHSScotland body. Participants will need these to be able to produce proposals for facilities that meet the NHSScotland body's requirements. This is a critically important part of the process.
6.6 The specifications should concentrate on what must be achieved, rather than how to achieve it. In that way, they should encourage innovation, performance in line with the NHSScotland body's requirements and superior cost effectiveness. The responses from participants may also exceed the NHSScotland body's minimum requirements as stated in the specification. However, it is important that the specifications faithfully reflect the outputs delivered in the CPAM (the NHSScotland body's "reference project"). The output specifications will be extremely important in encouraging a response that provides high quality healthcare and meets the NHSScotland body's business objectives. Department of Health Standard Output Specifications, which can be adapted for local use, are available on the Department of Health website.