The Infrastructure and Projects Authority's (IPA's) PFI Centre of Excellence established the PFI Contract Management Programme in 2020 to support contracting authorities managing their PFI contracts through the operational and expiry phases. The PFI Contract Management Programme has four projects:
• Managing the exit from PFI Contracts - m a n a g i n g the risks of contract expiry and ensuring value for money as contracts end.
• Improving Operational Performance - improving the performance and efficiency of operational contracts.
• Building Capability- building capability through systems learning, guidance and training.
• Advice & Support-providing expert advice and support to departments and contracting authorities.
The IPA has published Managing the Risks of PFI Contract Expiry which sets out the support offered by the IPA to contracting authorities, departments and local authorities in managing PFI expiry.
As part of that support offer, the IPA has published its PFI Expiry Guidance which provides practical guidance to contracting authorities on managing the expiry of PFI contracts and the transition to future services provision. Alongside the guidance, the IPA has also launched PFI Expiry training aimed at those managing PFI contracts approaching expiry. Further information on the course and timings can be sought via PFITraining@ipa.gov.uk. The IPA has also developed six PFI contract management e-learning modules for contracting authorities which are available via the Government Commercial College.
To help contracting authorities assess their readiness for PFI expiry, the IPA has developed an Expiry Health Check (EHC)process.