3.  Improving contract management practices to ensure consistent level of expertise among contract managers within and across state governments

The workshops evidenced some inconsistency in the experience and confidence that contract managers approach their role. Some contract managers reported that they abated payments to the FM operator as allowed by the PPP contract. And these same contract managers then found the FM service changed for the better, with the on-site behaviours maturing into more positive relationships. Other contract managers stated they were reluctant to abate payments when indicated as a valid step under the PPP contract. These contract managers felt that abatements would endanger their relationship with the FM operator.

The first group of contract managers, which the authors judged to have significant experience in their roles, took that the view that the application of valid abatements worked to get the PPP Project Co's attention and assist with problem solving FM service shortfalls.