1. Introduction

This Section describes the different ways in which the Guidance can be accessed and used. It addresses:

• How the Guidance has been structured (Section 2)
• Ways of accessing and utilising the Guidance (Section 3)
• The uses for the various formats in which the Guidance exists (Section 4)
• The structure of the Model Agreement (Appendix A)

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2.2 Structure of the Guidance

The main components of the Guidance documentation are as shown in the following table.

Document	Description
Model Agreement
Model Terms & Conditions	A complete set of Ts & Cs drafting with embedded guidance
Model Schedules	Each Schedule contains sections covering: purpose of the Schedule (A); Guidance (B) and drafting to the extent that it can be made generic (C) Click here for a set of short descriptions of each Schedule
Guidance Notes
Guidance Note 1: Key Commercial Principles	Summary of the commercial model underpinning the guidance.
Guidance Note 2: Payment, Affordability and Asset Management	Discussion of the various factors to be taken into account in making decisions relating to payment and asset ownership
Guidance Note 3: Ownership and Licensing of Intellectual Property	Discussion of the issues relating to the allocation and ownership and rights associated with Intellectual Property
Guidance Summary	Comprises ‘Background’ and ‘Use of the Guidance’ User Notices (see below) plus Guidance Notes 1-3
User Notices
Background to the Guidance	Short summary of the evolution of the Guidance from the decision to presume against the use of PFI for ICT contracts to the present day.
Use of the Guidance	This Section.
Use of the Guidance Helpdesk	Instructions for guidance users on the service provided by the PUK Helpdesk
Frequently Asked Questions	To be developed as feedback is received.

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3. Accessing and utilising the Guidance

3.1 Using the Guidance website

The ICT Services Guidance website can be accessed directly at http://www.partnershipsuk.org.uk/ictguidance or via the link on the Partnerships UK external website (http://www.partnershipsuk.org.uk). The first time you enter the ICT Guidance webpage you will be asked to register by entering your name, email address, and a password; you will also be asked to choose whether you wish to receive communications regarding the ICT Guidance, such as Guidance updates and other relevant notifications. Registration is quick, straightforward, and will be used simply to control and monitor site usage. Through the Guidance home page you can:

• access and download any of the Guidance documents;
• search the web pages for keywords/topics;
• register for updates;
• provide feedback on the Guidance; and
• contact the Helpdesk (see separate document "Use of the ICT Helpdesk").

3.2 Keeping up to date

Individual documents on the website will be updated from time to time. You can easily stay informed of these updates by selecting the appropriate option when you register during your first visit to the Guidance WebPages. You can change this option to receive updates at any time by going to the Guidance website and editing your profile.

3.3 Knowing whether your documents are up to date

3.6 Only the most up to date version of any document will be available from the Guidance website. You can readily see the version number as it is part of the file name (e.g. "Schedule 2.3 (Standards) v 2.13.pdf").

3.4 How the version numbers work

• When the entire set of documentation is revised, the version number will increase by 1, (e.g. all documents will move from v2.XX to v3.00).
• When only 1 or 2 documents are materially changed, the version number of the whole Guidance set will increase by 0.1, (e.g. from v3.0 to v3.1).
• When any given document undergoes minor (e.g. typographical) changes, its version number will increase by 0.01 (e.g. from v3.10 to v3.11). In this case, only the revised documents’ version number will be varied; it will therefore be likely that within an overall version, e.g. v3.1, documents may have any version number of the form v3.1X.
• A version control record for the Guidance is available from the guidance website. 

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4. Selecting the right Guidance Format for your needs

The Guidance exists in a number of different file formats:

• PDF files of all documentation to provide an official, controlled version of the current Guidance
• HTML files of all documentation to allow them to be searched
• MS Word files of the drafting to facilitate the direct use of the Model Contract

4.1 If you wish to read and/or print off the latest Guidance:

Select the "Guidance” link from the left hand menu then select the hyperlink Click here to view PDF copies of the Model Agreement to open a zip file with PDF versions of the files you require.

4.2 If you wish to search for topics referenced in the Guidance:

Whilst logged into this section of the PUK Website you can enter the terms you wish to search for in the “Quick Guidance Search” field located in the top right-hand corner of the screen. This search will bring up a list of all the uses of the search terms included in the Guidance.

4.3 If you wish to download and print a copy of the contractual drafting for use as a Model Contract:

Select the "Guidance” link from the left hand menu then select the hyperlink Click here to view the contractual drafting for use as a Model Contract to open a zip file that contains the Model Contract and Schedules in MS Word format.

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