11. Given the importance of the ITN and the fact that it is the first formal document of a long and potentially expensive bidding process, the quality of the document - in terms of content and presentation - can be crucial. It demonstrates MOD's professionalism and their commitment to PFI and this in turn will have a direct impact on the commitment of the bidders.
Table 1: CONTENTS OF THE ITN
| Section | Title | Outline Contents |
| 1 | Overview | An executive summary of the key points from each of the ITN sections which sells the project and the vision. A "health warning" should be included recognising the provisional nature of the information provided. |
| 2 | The suggested nature of the relationship between the successful service provider and MOD, outlining the principles of the PFI arrangement and the proposed supporting mechanisms. Principles of risk allocation. | |
| 3 | A high level description of the services being sought under the procurement and specifically the technical/functional/operational boundaries, including areas definitely excluded from the project scope. | |
| 4 | The detailed output-based specification of the service requirements. | |
| 5 | The proposed structure and nature of the performance measurement and payment mechanisms to be employed in setting the PFI unitary service charge. | |
| 6 | Transition Management (if appropriate) | The plans for implementing the new service, whilst minimising the effect on existing operations, leading to the successful service provider taking full responsibility for the service delivery |
| 7 | The nature, scope and format of the responses to the ITN required from the bidders and other appropriate instructions to bidders. Outline bid evaluation methodology (including criteria listed in order of priority) | |
| 8 | Heads of terms. Draft model contract should be attached. | |
| 9 | As appropriate for amplification/clarification of key issues. The Public Sector Comparator. |