2.2.19 Technical expertise includes knowledge of technical requirements for the services purchased by Government. Some technical specialists that might be required include surveyors, engineers, architects, contractors, project managers, actuaries and other technical professions. If such technical expertise is not available in-house, public agencies and potential PPP providers can consider engaging external technical advisors to assist in crafting technical specifications.
2.2.20 For the public sector, technical experts can assist in:
a) Defining output/outcome specifications and service standards for the services to be provided under the PPP tender and contract;
b) Technical evaluation of proposals and bids, including capability of the private sector tenderers;
c) Quality assurance during the construction phase, including ensuring contractor compliance and assessing technical risks;
d) Valuing assets that may be sold or transferred to the PPP provider; and
e) Developing appropriate performance measures and monitoring systems to determine the performance of private sector providers.
2.2.21 Technical experts in public sector should avoid specifying inputs, such as how to build facilities and how to design work processes, to give the private sector providers as much autonomy as possible to determine the best means of meeting the public sector's requirements. It will still be necessary for the public sector to provide the necessary constraints in the design, construction and operation of some facilities (e.g. public agencies might wish to specify design themes if the PPP facility has to be iconic). However, public agencies should bear in mind that PPP is about procuring services, not assets. Hence, the focus should be on determining output specifications, instead of input technical requirements.
2.2.22 For the potential private sector bidders, technical experts should work on designing and constructing assets, systems, equipment and work processes that can deliver services that meets the public agency's service requirements.