The Construction Playbook requires an outcome-based approach to procurement that enables clients and suppliers to focus on achieving required and desired results, and that makes best use of supplier innovations and expertise. It describes the benefits of specifications that 'focus on outcomes rather than scope', using a new Project Scorecard 'to support projects and programmes in setting clear outcomes that align with government's strategic priorities' (p.11).
Frameworks govern multiple projects, and their successful procurement depends on crafting a suitably generic, outcome-based approach specification when scoping the framework brief that enables an outcome-based approach to evaluating supplier framework bids. This approach can then be followed through in an outcome-based approach to specifications and evaluation when calling-off specific projects and programmes of work. The solutions put forward by suppliers in response to outcome-based specifications should form a significant part of the qualitative evaluation criteria. As part of this process 'Contracting authorities should require that solutions put forward by potential suppliers are accompanied by a whole life carbon assessment. This should be conducted in collaboration with the wider supply chain, reflecting ways of minimising the GHG emissions across the life of the asset' (p.23).
Review participants confirm that many current frameworks invite supplier solutions as part of the framework evaluation process, but that narrower more prescriptive specifications are often used when calling off specific projects and programmes of work. They also comment that, where an outcome-based call-off approach is adopted, this sometimes requires two suppliers to take part in a design competition before a call-off appointment is made. Participants argue that the speculative time and cost devoted to these exercises can be disproportionate to the value and complexity of the relevant project.