7. What would be a typical contract period for such an arrangement? How often would we expect to reopen/renegotiate?

The arrangement is frequently set up to be a one-year pilot program initially, followed by a longer term after successful pilot.  Some Alliance contracts operate with a three-year term, renewable each year for the upcoming, rolling three years.  Certain rates may be adjusted at other intervals to accommodate normal cost escalation.  For example, the contract may afford the contractor to have an opportunity to revise supervision and labor rates on an annual basis, to follow the market.