It is important that appropriate consideration is given to developing the Output Specification at an early stage in the development of a PFI project, and that work on the Output Specification is done in conjunction with the development of the Payment Mechanism.
The Authority should consider the Output Specification at each of the key stages in the procurement process. The key stages are identified in the table below and addressed more fully in the remainder of this Section:
Stage | Action |
Strategic planning / Outline Business Case (OBC) | Complete outline Output Specification |
Issue Descriptive Document | Provide bidders with an outline Output Specification |
Issue Invitation to submit outline solutions (ISOS) | Invite commentary on the outline Output Specification. |
Evaluation of ISOS Bids | Evaluate impact of any comments made by the bidders. Consider both the impact on the evaluation scores and the drafting to be completed at the next stage. |
Issue Invitation to submit detailed solutions (ISDS) | Provide bidders with a draft schedule to the Contract. Invite mark up of the Schedule. |
Evaluation of ISDS Bids | Evaluate impact of the mark-ups provided by the bidders. Consider both the impact on the evaluation scores and the need for any revisions to the drafting before the next stage. |
Final stages of Competitive Dialogue | Agree the final Output Specification Schedule for the Contract. |
Issue Call for Final Tenders (CFT) | Provide each bidder with an Output Specification to the Contract reflecting the position agreed in dialogue subject only to minor modification. |
Evaluation of Final Tenders | To the extent there are differences in the Output Specification schedules agreed with bidders these differences should be taken into account in evaluating bids |
Post Evaluation of Final Tenders | Any updates to the Output Specification Schedule should be restricted to clarifying aspects of the tender or confirming commitments. |
Financial Close | No further changes |