The contract is very important in this type of arrangement. More time should be spent preparing the contract than time spent on negotiations. How disputes will be handled should be addressed. The contract needs to outline the chain of command in a dispute situation. Dispute situations can be far reaching and must be handled quickly and within the contract guidelines.
Research needs to be done by both parties before making a binding contract.
During this process, the company should also let internal groups compete for the contract. Contracts should be structured according to the customer's environment. Environments that are not stable can survive with tighter contracts. When the contract arrangement is complete, it is important for management to go over the points of the contract with the workers. Initial training and explanations are very important for a workable contract.