1.7.1 In this guidance, the public sector party buying the Service is referred to as the "Authority" and its counterpart as the "Contractor", with the overall scheme referred to as the "Project". The agreement entered into between the Authority and the Contractor is referred to as the "Contract". When all those with a financial stake in the Project are referred to then the expression "financiers" is used. Accordingly, the term "financing" refers to all types of financial interest in the Project. There is a Section containing definitions at the start of this guidance (see Section 1.8 (Interpretation)). These definitions are used both in the text and the drafting. Definitions specific to a particular Clause are set out with the Clause concerned. Where drafting is provided, it is set out in Clauses.
1.7.2 Three different forms which the provisions can take are (a) the standard drafting of a whole subject with guidance notes (b) standard drafting of parts of a subject, with the rest of the subject being dealt with by explanatory notes and (c) guidance explaining how a subject should be dealt with in broad terms with a recommended approach to the issue. Where Clause drafting is provided it can be either required drafting (see Section 1.4.1) or suitable drafting.
1.7.3 The following acronyms and abbreviations are used in this guidance:
Addendum: HMT's "Further Guidance and Permitted Derogations and Clarifications" dated December 2005
BSF: Building Schools for the Future. The Government's programme for rebuilding or refurbishing schools in England
HMRC: HM Revenue & Customs
HMT: HM Treasury
ISO: International Standards Organisation
IP: Intellectual Property
IPR: Intellectual Property Rights
IT: Information Technology
ITPD: Invitation to participate in the dialogue (i.e. the invitation to bidders who have pre-qualified to take part in a competitive dialogue under Regulation 18 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 5))
MOD: Ministry of Defence
NHS: National Health Service
OGC: Office of Government Commerce
PUK: Partnerships UK plc
SLTP: HMT's "PFI: Strengthening Long-Term Partnerships" publication of March 20063
SPV: Special Purpose Vehicle
VfM: Value for Money
_________________________________________________________________
3 See HMT website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk