Part 5: Specifying requirements for a procurement

5.1
The third stage in the procurement life cycle is specifying requirements. Public organisations need to:

• have a clear understanding of what they want to purchase; and
• a plan of how they will measure supplier performance before agreeing to a contract.

5.2
Having clear requirements allows the public organisation to monitor a supplier's performance (once a contract has been agreed) and determine whether the procurement was successful. Clear performance measures also provide a useful way to make suppliers and organisations accountable.

5.3
Although we have not planned any specific work examining this matter, we will continue to review our programme of work to ensure that it reflects emerging findings and risks.