28. Requesting the design to the level of detail required for contractual close is not considered necessary at the ISDS or final tender stage: indeed this should be discouraged to assist bidders in managing their bid costs and thereby to help promote competition and maintain competitive tension. However, any subsequent design details must be within the scope of the original design that was submitted at final tender stage (in both technical and pricing terms).
29. This issue may be approached, for example, through specifying a specific or composite Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage design level for the purpose of selecting a Preferred Bidder with subsequent progress to a more detailed RIBA Stage design level for Final Planning Permission and contract close. This process of progressive design development, provided it has no or minimal impact on overall cost, should be regarded as clarification of the design which is still permissible under the competitive dialogue procedure.
30. RIBA provides an Outline Plan of Work that recommends Work Stage Sequences by Procurement Method. The Outline Plan of Work organises the process of managing and designing building projects and administering building contracts into a number of key work stages. For PFI/PPP project procurement, RIBA sets out two work stage sequences, one of which is the OGC model tender process. This reflects the Competitive Dialogue process and is generally appropriate for PFI procurement.
31. RIBA recognises though that Work Stage sequences and content may well vary and overlap to suit the detail of the procurement approach used and the nature of the individual project under consideration.
32. The RIBA Outline Plan of Work and Work Stage Sequences are therefore presented as guidance, as opposed to requirements, on the progressive development and agreement of a design approach for PFI schemes of various types and procurement approaches to be procured through the Competitive Dialogue. The Scheme Design Brief, the base design document, will develop and alter as the project develops along the different RIBA Work Stage Sequences. Such an approach allows for the planned and managed progressive development of design detail through the scheme development and procurement process with finalisation at Preferred Bidder stage within the scope of the original design submitted at Final Tender (in both technical and pricing terms).
33. Specifying a RIBA Stage design level for the purpose of selecting a Preferred Bidder with subsequent progress to a more detailed RIBA Stage design level(s) for Contract Close would appear to comply with the Competitive Dialogue process and requirements.