12. The Contract Management Plan template (at Annex A) is intended to be developed and matured at each stage in the acquisition life-cycle, aligned with the stages of assurance and scrutiny. These stages are:
• Stage 1 - Concept to Initial Gate;
• Stage 2 - Assessment to Market Engagement;
• Stage 3 - Market Engagement to Contract Award;
• Stage 4 - Through-Life Management, Change & Exit.
13. The Contract Management Plan Template is prepared on the assumption that at the end of Stage 2 the Authority will issue an Invitation to Negotiate (or its equivalent).