3.23 It cannot be assumed that extending an existing soft FM sub-contract, if the benchmarking / market testing falls behind timetable, is an option in PPP contracts. Contract extensions are poor procurement practice and risk being poor VfM. Furthermore, an extension may not be an option in the PPP context where there are other interests beside those of the public sector and the PPP contractor. Therefore, all parties must prepare thoroughly to minimise or eliminate this risk by starting early, keeping to the timetable, and ensuring that sufficient time is allowed for each stage of the process.
3.24 Nevertheless, when agreeing the timetable, it may be useful for the parties to agree an interim solution to service provision should it prove impossible, for any reason, to meet the agreed timetable. Such a solution may mean that the current service provider agrees to continue to provide services at the price specified within the original financial model or at an agreed price for a defined period of time.