1.1 A project procured under the PFI is based on a relationship between a public sector authority as procurer and a contractor as provider of a service. The length of this relationship will vary according to the project but can be for 30 or more years. As authorities and contractors have inherently different objectives there is a need to reconcile their different aims if their long term relationship is to be successful. It is likely to be a successful relationship only if the authority and contractor approach it in the spirit of partnership and base their relationship on a sound contractual framework.