8.41 The Government is committed to improving the effectiveness of the public sector in all kinds of procurement, and in PFI procurement in particular. HM Treasury intends to research in more detail the performance of the public sector in the two particular areas of PFI below, which are important in securing value for money from PFI procurement. Once HM Treasury have concluded a research and consultation process, the evidence will be published and an assessment made of any guidance or policy measures that might be required. HM Treasury expects the research and consultation process to be completed over the next year. The specific areas involved are:
• the public sector's evaluation of PFI bids; and
• the public sector's record in managing PFI projects to ensure: first, that they offer in practice the flexibility built into standardised PFI contracts; and second, that authorities are equipped to manage their contracts effectively, particularly when termination or the exercise of step-in rights is required.