5.48 Departmental PFUs provide central support within departments to PFI procurement teams, both prior to and following contract signature. This focus has been a significant factor in successful PFI programmes. In some departments, PFUs have already extended their remit beyond PFI, applying the skills and experience accumulated to alternative delivery models as they have developed. The Government encourages the extension of the PFU's role into a broader commercial sphere as part of the enhancement of department's commercial skills more generally.